Vancouver Island Purpose & Business Collaborative (VIPBC)
The Vancouver Island Purpose & Business Collaborative (VIPBC) brings together Vancouver Island businesses to expand their impact and build resilient organizations and communities. It is a collaboration between Vancouver Island Chambers and the Canadian Purpose Economy Project, providing practical support to help you strengthen your business and your impact.
Are you a business looking to:
· Attract and retain customers
· Build trust in your business
· Attract and engage employees
· Get more value from your existing impact efforts
· Build resilience in a changing environment
Vancouver Island Chambers are inviting their members and businesses across the region to take part in a social purpose business initiative that combines on-demand learning, live webinars, peer exchange, and expert guidance.
Local businesses will be supported to define, strengthen, and embed social purpose into their strategy and operations – unlocking new opportunities for societal impact and commercial success.
Whether you're just starting to think about impact—or already leading with purpose—this program provides the tools, learning, and community to help you move forward.
This initiative contributes to a broader movement across Canada—led by the Canadian Purpose Economy Project—to embed social purpose into business strategy and build a thriving purpose economy.
Why Social Purpose Makes Business Stronger
Social purpose isn’t corporate jargon. It’s a practical way to align your business strategy with the impact you already care about.
Businesses that embed purpose often see:
· Stronger employee engagement and retention
· Increased customer loyalty and brand trust
· Clearer strategic direction
· Greater resilience in a changing economy
At a time when businesses face rising costs, workforce challenges, and shifting customer expectations, purpose-led companies are better positioned to adapt and thrive.
The Vancouver Island Social Purpose Program
This three-part program helps businesses learn, apply, and grow their social purpose alongside other Vancouver Island leaders.
1. Build Your Social Purpose Foundation
Start with the free BC Chamber of Commerce on-demand course: Building Your Social Purpose
(Value: $1500)
Developed in partnership with the Canadian Purpose Economy Project, this five-part webinar series helps you uncover and embed social purpose in your business strategy and operations.
Participants who complete the course receive a Certificate of Completion.
→ Watch the webinar series here.
2. Join the Social Purpose in Business Webinar Series
Our three live sessions bring social purpose to life. Each session begins with practical guidance on defining and embedding social purpose, presented by Tessa Vanderkop, Co-founder of the Canadian Purpose Economy Project and a national social purpose expert, followed by facilitated conversations with leaders who are already putting these ideas into practice.
May 28 | 9:30 am to 10:30 am | Changing Leadership for Changing Times: The Business Case for Purpose
With Toby Barazzuol (CEO, Eclipse Awards) and Kendall Gross (President, Island Savings)
Sept. 17 | 9:30 am to 10:30 am | Building Your Social Purpose Business: Uncovering Your Social Purpose
With Tony Scott (CEO, Pro-Claim Group) and Jessy Savage (Owner, Victoria Digital Media)
Nov. 19 | 9:30 am to 10:30 am | Embedding Social Purpose Into Your Business
With Maureen Young (VP Social Purpose, Coast Capital) and Linnea Turnquist (Owner, Ooh La La Cupcakes + Cakes)
Registration fee applies; discounted for chamber members. Proceeds support United Way on Vancouver Island.
Optional office hours with Tessa Vanderkop, Co-founder of the Canadian Purpose Economy Project and social purpose expert, will also be available to ask questions and explore how social purpose applies to your business.
Office hours are scheduled for:
· June 3rd, 2026 | 10:00 am to 10:30 am.
· September 23rd, 2026 | 10:00 am to 10:30 am.
· November 25th, 2026 | 10:00 am to 10:30 am.
Contact Tessa Vanderkop to join the office hours.
3. Join the 2027 Social Purpose Leadership Community of Practice
Businesses who want to go further can join the free virtual VIBPIC Social Purpose Leadership Community of Practice, a Vancouver Island network focused on advancing social purpose in business. Facilitated by Tessa Vanderkop, Co-founder of the Canadian Purpose Economy Project and social purpose expert, the community provides ongoing peer learning, practical tools and shared problem-solving to help businesses strengthen their impact and performance.
What the Community Does
· Connects businesses advancing social purpose
· Shares practical tools and learning resources
· Encourages collaboration across the region
· Supports accountability and progress
Contact Tessa Vanderkop to join the waitlist for the Social Purpose Leadership Community of Practice.
Help Build a Purpose-Driven Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is already home to many businesses that contribute to community resilience and wellbeing.
Through this collaborative initiative, we’re working to accelerate that impact and build a thriving regional economy that benefits people, communities, and the planet.
Join other Vancouver Island business leaders who are exploring how social purpose can strengthen both their impact and their business success.
Get Started
Take the first step toward strengthening your business and your impact.
Register for the webinar series above
Join the Community of Practice. Contact Tessa Vanderkop
Participating Vancouver Island Chambers
This initiative is supported by the following Vancouver Island Chambers of Commerce:
Sooke, Tofino, Comox, Esquimalt, Greater Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Pender Island, Port Alberni, Qualicum, Saanich, Salt Spring Island, Westshore and Greater Victoria Chambers of Commerce
