LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services CEO, Sue Paish has been recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women four-times! Sue has also been inducted into the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Hall of Fame – one of only 88 women in Canada to have this honour bestowed upon them by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN). Even though Sue was on the road, she graciously took some time to speak to us.
How do you use the Club?
The Club is in effect my ‘downtown’ office. Given that LifeLabs office is located in Burnaby, I often use the Club for meetings in the downtown core. I also come in to catch up on items in between meetings when I am downtown.
What is your favourite event or room at the club?
My favourite room is the Reading Room, and then closely followed by The Grill restaurant.
Do you have a favourite dish from the restaurant(s)?
The Club does a wonderful job of halibut. The Club’s halibut (in its various forms) is among the best in the city.
What was your first impression of Terminal City Club .. and now ?
Ahh… now this was a very long time ago! 25+ years ago, the Club was a dark, somewhat inviting and certainly ‘old world’ facility. Now, with the renovations completed in everything from the front reception to the restaurants, to the great food, and the helpfulness of the staff, the club has transformed from that somewhat uninviting ‘old world’ place, to a dynamic, friendly, welcoming and inviting, professional oasis.
What would you say to someone considering membership?
Do it. There are many, many benefits to being a member of the Club, and this is especially for those of us who have home offices outside the downtown core.
What are your interests outside of work and the Club?
[My husband] Brad and I are parents to three amazing young women and even though our daughters are all in their twenties now, staying connected with them and with our extended family is our first priority. In addition to my family, Brad and I are avid outdoors folks. I love hiking on the North Shore and together we enjoy fishing (anywhere), camping and any activities that allow us to enjoy the amazing wilderness in BC, some of which is almost on our doorstep. We are also long time dedicated hockey fans, watching games whenever we can, regardless of who is playing. We remain steadfast fans of the Vancouver Canucks.
Do you have any community service or charities you support?
Yes…here goes: I just completed a term as Chair of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and completed nearly eight years on the Foundation Board. The Foundation is a real gem in Canadian health care, being focussed on attracting and retaining some of the best and brightest minds to BC who are transforming health care research and the delivery of health care to Canadians. I am also a Governor of the Vancouver Board of Trade, serving as Chair during our Olympic year. The VBOT is a long standing institution in Vancouver with a legacy for both representing the interests of a wide spectrum of community stakeholders and promoting various social and economic policies focussed on building successful communities across BC. I also sit on the Boards of the Ivey Center for Health Innovation and Leadership, the CORIX group of companies, and the Sauder School Faculty Advisory Board, as well as being a member of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council on the Public Service.
Tell us a little about your family?
Yes, Brad and I are the proud parents of Diana, Kyla and Nadia. Diana has established herself as a successful entrepreneur, owner and operator of an award winning gift store in the beautiful community of Edgemont Village on the North Shore. ‘Giftworks’ has consistently been named as the best gift store on the North Shore, an impressive accomplishment for a young lady who assumed responsibility for the store when she was only 22. Kyla has just obtained her CA and is working with Ernst & Young, currently practicing from the EY Halifax office. She is also a talented artist creating everything from custom quilts to oil paintings. Nadia is just completing her third year of business studies at UBC, with a seven month study session at the Copenhagen Business School.
Should you see Sue in the Club, she welcomes you to say hello!
