Changes ahead for the Downtown New West BIA

It's been an incredible 11-year run for Kendra Johnston of the Downtown New West Business Improvement Association (BIA), and it looks like the new year will bring more changes to the team.

The executive director previously announced she'd be leaving her post to try her hand at something new, in a move similar to that of BIA president Karima Jivraj.

"It's been my dream job," Johnston tells New West Anchor, "I've loved it for a long, long time, but over the past year or so, I've definitely felt like I'm craving a new challenge in my life, and for me to grow personally and in my career. I just felt like it was time."

Johnston adds she's moving on from the BIA with a spate of positive memories and growth, with her life changed by the connections made through the community. While she called the decision a difficult one, Johnston noted she was met with nothing but support by the team.

"Karima and [BIA vice-president] Alice [Cavanagh] both have been super supportive, and I've been very transparent about these feelings. I didn't want anyone to be blindsided, and for me to just give my notice and be gone. We've been talking for months about what my exit might look like, transition plan, etc."

Jivraj—who owns the Bosley's location at Columbia Square—noted she didn't expect to be leaving at the same time as Johnston, but that she's excited to see what's next for the association.

"It's kind of like the changing of the guard, you know?" Jivraj said. "Kendra and I go, and then the new guard comes on, right?"

Cavanagh says she's been busy learning more of the ropes and is expected to replace Jivraj as the new president.

"My point of view is whether I get elected as the president of the organization, I've done all the shadowing work, I love downtown. If someone else is elected president, I'm not going away. I'm going to be there," Cavanagh explains. "It's about leaving the team in good hands and making sure there's somebody who knows the ropes, and the ins and outs of the BIA."

Looking back on their time with the BIA, Johnston and Jivraj are both proud of the strides they've made, especially when it comes to diving into a new idea head first.

"Kendra has been an incredible leader, she's had a great vision, is fantastic with the staff on the team. She takes these ideas and runs with it, and I've never been like, 'Oh, Kendra, what are you doing?!' It's never been like that. It's always been 'cool idea, let's run with it,'" says Jivraj, pointing to events like Fridays on Front.

"I don't think people realize how much advocacy the BIA does. For example, the BOSA construction [downtown along the waterfront], when that started, the amount of back and forth Kendra and I did with the team at BOSA and holding them accountable for issues that were happening. Same goes for Metro Vancouver [and the pipe replacement work on Columbia Street]. We kept on them and we said, 'It's not OK for you to do this.'"

What's more, being part of a power team of women has all three extremely proud.

"The board of directors at our BIA have made a conscious effort to ensure we have diversity on our board, and the board looks very different now than when I started 11 years ago," says Johnston. "It was mostly men. And it's been exciting to work with this tremendous group of women, accomplishing all that we've been able to do together."

Ultimately, you haven't seen the last of Johnston and Jivraj. Jivraj will continue to run Bosley's, while Johnston takes a break and prepares for the switch.

"I need a little bit of time to figure out [what's next], so I'm going to take a break," explains Johnston.

Johnston's last day will be Jan. 23. The new president of the BIA will be elected later this year.