BIV will celebrate the leadership and achievements of five accomplished executives at the 2025 Influential Women in Business Awards
on Friday, March 7. This year’s awards luncheon will mark 26 years of recognizing excellence in B.C. business leadership.
BIV will celebrate the leadership and achievements of five accomplished executives at the 2025 Influential Women in Business Awards
on Friday, March 7. This year’s awards luncheon will mark 26 years of recognizing excellence in B.C. business leadership.
Gopi Chande
CFO, TELUS Digital
With a career spanning over two decades in finance and technology, Gopi Chande brings a wealth of experience to her role in driving TELUS Digital’s financial strategy and growth as CFO. Previously, Chande spent 14 years with TELUS Corp. in increasingly senior leadership roles, including as senior vice-president of finance and treasurer. Chande’s career began at KPMG, where she worked from 1996 to 2009 in various locations including Vancouver, Budapest and Silicon Valley. She later served as the controller at E2open, a multinational tech start-up.
Chande holds her CPA, CA designation, is a certified accountant in the U.S. and was elected a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia in 2022. She has served on the boards of organizations including the Telecommunication Workers Pension Plan, Concert Properties and CANARIE.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of being elected a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it celebrates contributions across professional excellence, service to the accounting profession and community involvement. The fellowship’s recognition of balanced achievement across multiple domains resonates deeply with my personal philosophy of what makes a truly successful career. I’ve long admired those who achieved this distinction as it showcases the highest ideals of our profession—the dedication to excellence, leadership and making a meaningful difference in our communities.
What has been your toughest business or professional decision to date?
Taking on more senior roles where I had limited experience in some of the portfolios I took on was a significant decision. It required me to learn quickly and adapt. I discovered that having a great team and maintaining a learning mindset were crucial factors in finding success in these roles.
What does it take to be a successful business leader in 2025?
Great business leaders succeed through authenticity and transparency. They excel at connecting the dots, helping their teams and stakeholders clearly understand both priorities and opportunities ahead.
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out in your career?
You will be scared, and you will do it anyway.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
That culture is critical in driving strategy and performance. I have been fortunate to experience this firsthand through the strong, high-performance and caring culture first at TELUS and now at TELUS Digital. The exceptional cultures, along with the remarkable people I get to work with at both organizations, has kept me engaged and committed for 15 years.
Best piece of advice ever received?
Speak up (or as the sticky note on my monitor says—If you are thinking it, say it!).
What is your definition of success?
Success to me means balancing several key elements: Engaging in interesting work where I’m continuously learning, adding value and mentoring others; spending quality time with friends and family; creating opportunities to give back to my community; and dedicating time to prioritize both mental and physical health.
What are you most passionate about outside of work?
I am passionate about spending time with my family and giving back to the community. My family and I love to travel together, creating lasting memories and broadening our horizons through new experiences. My involvement in the community stems from our shared family value of service to others. Through various initiatives, from education to health, I strive to create meaningful impact that strengthens our community. By working together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities that benefit everyone.
What are you looking forward to this year?
Personally, I am looking forward to an African safari this summer that my family has planned this year. If all goes as planned, my birthday will begin with a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti, shared with my family and close friends. Professionally, I am looking forward to meeting more of my team in person this year. While TELUS Digital is a pioneer in remote work, the opportunity for face-to-face interactions with my team will undoubtedly strengthen our relationships to a new level.
A personal motto, or favourite phrase or saying, that resonates with you?
Any success that comes at the expense of your health, family or character isn’t true success.
A philanthropic, charitable or community-oriented cause or organization you support?
I serve on the boards of Mulgrave School and BC Women’s Hospital Foundation. Additionally, I mentor with Dress for Success.
What do you do to unwind, relax or de-stress?
Read.
Favourite place in the province?
Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver.
Favourite restaurant(s)?
Las Margaritas.
A book or podcast you would recommend?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig.
What is your best habit?
Maintaining a zero inbox by the end of each day—it’s a comprehensive productivity system that has transformed how I work.
A B.C. business leader you admire?
Dr. Bonnie Henry. She showed exceptional skill in balancing empathy with tough choices while maintaining public trust.
Tell us one surprising or little-known fact about yourself.
I have a goal to travel to more countries than my age. The pandemic almost set me back but I am back on track.