YWCA Welcomes Judi Hess as 2021 Women of Distinction Awards Event Chair

YWCA Metro Vancouver is thrilled to welcome Judi Hess as the Women of Distinction Awards’ new Event Chair.

Judi is CEO of Copperleaf, an analytics company that provides software solutions to help companies manage critical infrastructure, a position she has held since 2009. Under her leadership, Copperleaf was named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies, winner of Canada's Most Admired™ Corporate Cultures, and winner of Tech Culture of the Year. Copperleaf is one of the fastest-growing tech companies in North America and Judi herself was recently named BC Tech Person of the Year, as well as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Prior to Copperleaf, Judi was the president of Creo Inc., a position she held until Creo was acquired for nearly $1 billion in 2005. She also spent four years at Kodak, where she served as a general manager and vice president within the graphic communications group, a corporate officer and vice president of Eastman Kodak and head of Kodak Canada.

Judi is no stranger to the Women of Distinction Awards, having been nominated in the Entrepreneurship category in 2015. She was recognized for her unique combination of technical and business acumen and is highly regarded for her focus on creating a corporate culture that attracts some of the best minds in her field. Her success as a leader is widely recognized and she has created many employment opportunities in the technology sector in Metro Vancouver. She is a sought-after speaker and panellist and is always eager to share her skills and philosophy for success with her community.

With a passion for supporting women to succeed, particularly in STEM, Judi is a well-known role model and mentor to many in the high-tech business community. Judi is highly regarded for her intellect, creativity and vision, and is admired for her humour and abundant energy. You can find her on the mountains downhill skiing whenever she has the time.

We look forward to the vision and experience Judi will add to the Awards and are honoured that she has accepted this position. With Judi’s help, the 38th annual Women of Distinction Awards will continue to recognize strong and innovative businesses and women leaders in our community.