Author Archives: PFM Search

2018 Panorama Global Conference

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Two years ago, when the Chair of Panorama Global Search Partners asked us if we’d be willing to host the organization’s 2018 Global Conference, we jumped at the opportunity. We could showcase our gorgeous city, introduce our PFM team to their Panorama colleagues, and introduce our global partners to the business community in our region. Those two years of hard work, planning and organizing paid off this week, with 34 Partners from 20 Panorama offices in 16 countries descending upon our city.

We founded Panorama Global Search Partners in part to provide our local clients better service through global recruitment capabilities, but mainly because we wanted to align ourselves with other boutique executive search organizations providing outstanding client service so that we could learn from them and share best practices. We also made it an imperative that new members had to be “our people” – authentic and focused on doing really excellent work, and willing to have fun in the process. That last aspect in particular made for a great blend of working hard and playing hard over the last several days.

The conference tackled many big questions about the future of executive search, such as how AI will affect our business and improve our ability to provide better quality service to our clients and candidates. Our Practice Groups had an opportunity to caucus in person and discuss issues specific to their industry sectors. We discussed the synergies between executive search and leadership services, and how we can further enhance what we offer to our clients as they look to strengthen their leadership teams of today and the future. And we welcomed new members to the fold from Europe and Latin America and got to know about their regions.

Then on Tuesday morning we unleashed the Greater Vancouver business community on our Partners, as they came together at our annual Economic Outlook Breakfast featuring Jock Finlayson. It was our largest event ever and Jock was able to provide immense take-away value for the local and global attendees alike.

And of course, we wouldn’t be doing our job as hosts if we didn’t showcase BC wines and sweeping Vancouver vistas, and we offered up both in style. Communications-turned-wine consultant Trace Acres conducted a wine tasting at our offices, and opened everyone’s hearts and palates to a wide variety of delicious local wines. Delegates also got to take a whirlwind tour of Canada at Fly Over Canada, and we had a beautiful night with the bears and eagles at Grouse Mountain, where we received a very special presentation from a local Squamish Nation elder.

Over four days we strengthened our bond with our Partners and built on the premise that we can do more together than separately. As a network of independently owned and operated boutique firms, we need to want to work together to make our partnership worthwhile, and this year’s conference solidified that this amazingly diverse, bright and talented group of professionals is one we hope to be aligned with for many years to come.

PFM Team Volunteers with The KidSafe Project Society

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PFM Executive Search strives to make an impact at the community level by supporting a diversity of organizations that make a difference. In August 2018, as part of our Summer/Fall Social Impact Initiative, PFM was proud to volunteer at The KidSafe Project Society’s Baseball Tournament and Carnival Day at an elementary school in south Vancouver. Thirteen PFM staff were thrilled to participate in the day by assisting with baseball games, skills challenges and carnival games, which the kids (about 300-350 in total) thoroughly enjoyed.

The KidSafe Project Society provides vulnerable inner-city children with a safe haven during school breaks, at a time when they may not have access to healthy food and much interaction with others. KidSafe provides nutritional meals and activity programs for kids when schools are traditionally closed.

PFM was delighted to volunteer and show our support for the amazing work KidSafe is doing for our local community, and wishes the team there and all the kids they support a happy summer!

Kurt Heinrich – Senior Director, Media Relations for The University of British Columbia (UBC)

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PFM Executive Search welcomes Kurt Heinrich to the position of Senior Director, Media Relations at the University of British Columbia. UBC with over 65,000 students is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranks among the 40 best universities in the world.Recognized for creating an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada and the world, UBC is a premier international post-secondary institution.

PFM Executive Search was engaged to conduct a national search for this senior communications role with UBC and recruited Kurt into the position. Kurt is a seasoned communicator with extensive media relations, issues management and crisis communications experience. He joins UBC from Simon Fraser University, consistently ranked among Canada’s top comprehensive universities, where he held the role of Director, University Communications, for the past three years.

Prior to this, Kurt was the Public Relations Manager of the Vancouver School Board, one of the largest public school districts in the country. He is a past President of the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society and currently sits as a Trustee on the Vancouver Public Library Board.

PFM Executive search is known for its ability to recruit senior leaders to positions in major post-secondary institutions and works closely with the Global Higher Education Practice Group of Panorama Search Partner offices around the world. Our firm is well established in working collegially and collaboratively with diverse selection committees and creating a proactive, open and transparent search process for universities and colleges.

David Long & Cynthia Kinsella – Chief Operating Officer & Chief Development Officer – Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society

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PFM is helping build The Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society’s (GVFBS) Executive Team with two recent placements:

We are excited to announce that David Long will be joining GVFBS to the newly created position of Chief Operations Officer. David will be a key member of the executive team, guiding strategy and operations to ensure assistance is provided to over 27,000 people weekly through multiple distribution locations, community kitchens, training workshops and partnerships throughout the 80 community agencies located in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and North Vancouver.

Northern Ireland born, David is a chef by background, with a passion for food and people. He spent many years working in the hospitality industry with roles such as Executive Chef at Vancouver’s Terminal City Club, preparing 20,000+ meals a month to then being promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the Club followed by his move to the North Shore Winter Club as their General Manager from 2012 – 2016.

David has transitioned out of his most current role as Vice President, Operations, for Securiguard, where he has been responsible for company wide operations, leadership and executive oversight of key contracts. An experienced operations leader, with a passion for food and the community, we’re very much looking forward to David’s contribution to an ever-important organization in our local community.

Joining David at the executive table is Cynthia Kinsella, to the newly created role of Chief Development Officer. Cynthia will lead the strategy and operationalization of the Society’s revenue development, communications, outreach and donor stewardship activities. This inaugural role will allow the GVFBS to more deeply and effectively connect with the community the Society serves, and further the organization’s vision, mission, values, brand and food philosophy.

Cynthia has had a 28-year career in business development, operations and leadership, working with some of Canada’s most respected organizations. Most recently, Cynthia was Vice President, Employee Support Solutions for Morneau Shepell’s western region, where she was successful in growing market share and increasing customer satisfaction while leading, mentoring and engaging a team of professionals across the west. Prior to her role with Morneau Shepell, Cynthia held senior leadership positions with Optum Canada, TELUS and Accenture Business Services.

With Cynthia’s proven success of mentoring effective teams and implementing process improvements throughout her career, she will be a valued member of GVFBS’s executive team.

PFM would like to congratulate both David and Cynthia and wish them both every success!

Tom Phipps – Director, Risk & Insurance for BC Ferries

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PFM Executive Search was pleased to be engaged in the national recruitment of the Director, Risk & Insurance for BC Ferries,  one of the largest ferry operators in the world. The company provides year-round vehicle and passenger service on 25 routes on west coast coastal waters to 47-different terminals with a fleet of 35 vessels. It is an essential transportation link that connects coastal communities and facilitates the movement of people, goods and services on the west Coast of Canada.

The national search has led to the appointment of Tom Phipps. Tom holds CPA, CA and CIA designations and joins BC Ferries with several years of leadership experience having recently led the Internal Audit teams for both the University of Victoria and the Vancouver Airport Authority. Prior to this, he held the position of Manager, Corporate Treasury for Canadian Forest Products which included the company’s insurance program.

In this position, Tom will report directly to the Treasurer of BC Ferries and will work across the organization on a variety of corporate initiatives.

PFM Executive Search has been engaged on a variety of senior leadership roles at BC Ferries over the years including working directly with the Board of Directors on the selection of the Chief Executive Officer.  We are proud of being a BC owned and operated company working with other British Columbia companies.