Launi Skinner
Launi Skinner is the CEO of First West Credit Union, B.C.’s third-largest credit union with $6.2 billion in assets under administration, approximately 167,000 members and more than 1,300 employees. As CEO, Launi leads First West's executive team, which includes the presidents of the credit union's Envision Financial and Valley First operating divisions. Her primary focus is First West's strategic development and future growth, while the presidents focus on winning their local markets.
Raised in Summerland, B.C., Launi brings more than 20 years of business-building experience in both the U.S. and Canada as a result of her time at Starbucks U.S. and 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. As president of Starbucks U.S., Launi oversaw 7,000 company owned stores and 3,400 licensed stores, and managed an extensive management team with operational responsibility for 130,000 employees.
In 2007, Launi was heralded as one of “Four Women to Watch” in Fortune Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Women feature. She has been named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for 2011 as well as 2010 by the Women’s Executive Network. Most recently, Launi received the 2011 Stevie Award for Best Canadian Executive.
Educated in business administration, Launi has also completed the certified general accountant program. She has a history of community involvement, including past event chair for the Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction Awards. She is also a community leader for the Minerva Foundation and was appointed by the provincial government to sit on Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Board of Governors for a term ending on July 31, 2012.
Featured Posts
There’s a classic Apple commercial from the late ‘90s (yes, the era before iPods, iPhones and iPads) that inspires me every time I see it. It’s from their Think Different campaign and it came at a critical time in the company’s life. In many ways it set the stage for Apple and its explosive growth in the decade-plus that followed. The ad features images of world thinkers, shapers, artists and...
