Launi Skinner

Launi Skinner is chief executive officer of First West Credit Union, one of Canada’s leading credit unions with nearly $15.5 billion in assets and assets under administration, approximately 250,000 members and roughly 1,250 employees. Launi leads First West’s vision and strategic direction, ensuring the organization’s local brand network—Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby & District Financial—remains committed to simplifying lives and helping members and communities thrive.

Launi has more than 25 years of experience managing large and complex businesses in both the U.S. and Canada. Before her current position with First West, Launi spent 15 years with Starbucks where her last role as president gave her oversight of 11,300 stores, management of revenues in excess of $7 billion and leadership of a geographically dispersed management team overseeing 130,000 employees. She also had responsibility for U.S. store development, annually managing $400 million in new store builds, $300 million in renovations and global store design.

Launi has been recognized for her leadership and business acumen numerous times throughout her career. She has been named one of “Four Women to Watch” in Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women feature, awarded an honorary doctorate by the British Columbia Institute of Technology and named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women four times culminating in a Woman’s Executive Network hall of fame entry. Additionally, she received the 2011 Stevie Award for Best Canadian Executive and was named one of Business in Vancouver’s Most Influential Women in Business for 2012.

Launi holds a diploma in business from Okanagan College, received her CGA designation and has completed the Institute of Corporate Directors program. She is currently a board member for the Business Council of British Columbia and Rocky Mountaineer, and previously served as chair of the board of directors for Science World. In the community she serves as a community leader for the Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women as well as past event chair for the Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.