SIPP’s Interim CEO Dallas Gislason gives a behind-the-scenes look at SIPP’s role navigating the transition in leadership and building our region’s economy.
I thought it would be fun to give people some insights from behind-the-scenes of our dynamic, small but mighty team, working in the seemingly mysterious world of economic development at the metropolitan-level scale. I also did this for my own reflection on what’s been a whirlwind of a first month in this interim role!
Here are some things in no particular order from my first month as interim CEO:
- The first thing I did on day one was jack up our member and stakeholder communications. With an outgoing CEO who’s been such an instrumental leader (and face of the organization) for so long, I really wanted to convey a message of stability, strength and continued momentum. I want our community and champions to know that we’re in good hands and capable of achieving and exceeding our goals.
- Speaking of comms: the relentless mover/shaker Kerry Slavens is launching the new SIPP website very soon. Times of renewal can be fun!
- COAST continues to move at a break-neck pace. I’ve found that the key to being CEO is having really qualified advisors (along with the remarkable Jason Goldsworthy!) in place to ensure we don’t misstep. In the last month alone, we’ve worked with and received advice from several law firms, experienced ‘silicon valley’ tech executives (to help us ensure that a program designed for Ocean & CleanTech clients is effective, while also tying into ocean technology clusters around the world), advisors from different countries, COAST advisory board members, ocean-tech entrepreneurs..the list goes on!
We’ve spent the last month digging deep into pros/cons (and lease agreements!) of various co-working facilities for COAST ocean-tech companies and collaborators. We hope to have an announcement on this within the next few weeks! Stay tuned!
- CEO search. Several updates with Boyden (our search firm) on SIPP’s future CEO. They’re approaching 50 pre-qualified candidates! More to come on this once they shortlist!
- Several client interactions throughout the month. We receive a lot of inquiries about opportunities in Greater Victoria and each one needs to be treated independently to determine if/how we can help. This part of our work, mainly led by friendliest-guy-in-town (and our director of operations) Kieran Buggy, has been fairly successful in the past (a 2020 independent org review determined the impact is about $37M annually)
- Working with the SIPP Board. Coming into the role, I didn’t realize how much I would rely on our board – especially the chair and executive – to give me reassurance and advice. Several of them messaged me privately on my first day to offer this level of support. It is so appreciated!
- Speaking of Board: we also just launched SIPP board recruitment for up to 3 open seats! Apply at the link here by April 30th (note: it’s fairly competitive so please don’t take it personally if you’re not selected): https://southislandprosperity.ca/recruitment
- HR and people. SIPP has an amazing team (5 core employees + teams in COAST and the Indigenous Prosperity Centre). Obviously my role within the team dynamic has shifted (though I’m definitely not making any major moves…or MASS FIRINGS) but I’ve loved the positive feedback and collaborative spirit that we’ve carried on with. Everyone comes to work with a smile on their face and nobody has yelled at me (yet!) for not living up to our positive team culture. Also, this month we’ve been interviewing for a new COAST position. This is always fun! More announcements on this soon too!
- Strategic Planning session with the Indigenous Prosperity Centre (IPC) advisory board. I feel like every day I work with Christina Clarke, I learn something new. Christina is like a proverbial bridge between two world’s that need to work together in order to achieve true prosperity. Our advisory board is guiding her work with such deliberate intent. It’s humbling to be part of!
- Municipal Partners Committee. SIPP was founded by municipal governments which designated a representative to this committee. This week we hosted our bi-monthly meeting & discussed next steps from the Local Leadership Forum (addressing local economic issues collaboratively), the need for a SIPP funding renewal process by 2026, as well as activities updates for IPC, COAST, the new Victoria Rising platform launch, from last month). We’ve been lucky to have wonderful collaborators on this committee and the current reps have been nurtured positively under current chair, Councillor Ken Armour (Esquimalt).
Collaborating with smart people (academia version!): This month, we applied to the Mitacs program to foster industry/academic partnerships that create new research and innovation. Though I only met her a couple of years ago, I’ve quickly become a HUGE fan of Natalie Slawinski (Director of UVic’s Centre for Social and Sustainable Innovation). Natalie has generously offered to serve as conduit for a research project on collaborative governance (the result of which is a key ingredient of SIPP’s funding renewal process). Speaking of Natalie, it was so cool to attend the launch of her new book this last week. If you’re passionate about the place where you live and work, learn about it here.
- Media interviews. This month I did a few interviews with various media. This story on the importance of retaining youth and students and becoming a more diverse metro-region is my favourite (it’s…..kind of an important issue to solve!).
Challenges
Not surprisingly, this role has also come with challenges. Here are three that jumped out this month:
- Parochialism in the region remains the biggest threat to delivering SIPP’s mandate effectively. A diverse metropolitan area can only be ambitious about its future if leaders believe that we are all united in working toward that future. SIPP is a remarkable, validated, inclusive (and effective) vehicle through which to pursue that future in the context of 13 ‘sovereign’ municipal jurisdictions that oversee one, fluidly-integrated regional economy. If only they all agreed with that sentiment!
- Balance and mental health. This role has amplified to me the importance of taking care of one’s own health during hectic and/or pressing times! As a parent, I’ve been reflecting on how to ensure that my increased time pressures and stress isn’t reflected in how I interact with my kiddos. Though my youngest is 15 already, he’s also growing up fast and so the time that I have with him before school, in the evenings and on weekends is extremely precious to me. I’ve also been escaping to my music studio whenever I can, as I find playing the drums is like a form of meditation. That, along with biking to work, helps me melt the stress away.
Thanks for getting this far! Would love thoughts or advice if you have any!
