Meet Supriya James.

Chief People Officer.

Supriya is a business growth strategist and thought leader known for helping organizations prepare for the future by harnessing the power of people. As both a senior executive and board member, she has focused on creating inclusive, best-in-class employee experiences, shaping differentiated talent strategies, coaching leadership excellence, and driving culture change to unlock organizational growth. At Vancity, Supriya leads as Chief People Officer, advancing a culture that empowers employees and strengthens belonging.

Before joining Vancity, Supriya built a global career leading Employee Experience function in highly regulated industries such as financial services, mining, property development, supply chain management, and retail. She is frequently sought after to help organizations navigate complex challenges and support both organic and acquisitive growth—whether by building new business models, establishing operations in regions such as Mongolia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, or overseeing acquisitions and divestitures worldwide. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Employee Experience at National Bank of Canada.

Throughout her career, Supriya’s greatest reward has been the opportunity to mentor and develop the next generation of diverse leaders. She holds a Master of Human Resources Management degree, is a certified Executive Coach with the International Coaching Federation, and has earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. In 2024, she was recognized among the WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.

Supriya is deeply committed to community leadership and advocacy. She has served as Chair of the YWCA Edmonton board and continues to contribute as a Board member at NorQuest College, an advisor to the City of Edmonton, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Institute of Corporate Directors, Edmonton.

Supriya and her husband Keshav enjoy discovering the world together through art, music, cuisine, and new experiences. They have lived and worked in 5 countries and have travelled to more than 20 together. They are looking forward to getting to know the community of Vancouver and making it home.

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