Ingrid Jarrett
President and CEO, BC Hotel Association
The first-ever female president and CEO of the British Columbia Hotel Association, Ingrid Jarrett is an industry powerhouse who has spent the past three decades directly contributing to building the tourism sector across B.C. and Canada. Her career spans leadership roles at organizations including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, and Watermark Beach Resort, along with volunteer work on several tourism boards, including the Hotel Association of Canada, Tourism Victoria, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Destination British Columbia. She was also one of five members of the Tourism Task Force working on behalf of industry to create Destination BC.
Jarrett was instrumental in leading the hospitality sector out of crisis caused by COVID-19, helping to secure the delivery of hundreds of millions of dollars in financial relief.
What career accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Managing the BC Hotel Association through the pandemic. The pandemic was announced the first week I started my position and the entire world changed. Hotels are very experienced at opening hotels, not closing hotels. The partnerships, leadership with other industry leaders, the trust and understanding we built together was incredible, and remains today. I believe all the industries and government came together as we were all looking at survival, and looking after each other. I was able to hire a small team, and mentor and develop them as new challenges appeared, and today am inspired by their commitment and professional growth. Significant contribution has occured at the local level with lasting impact, one example is the protection and support of affordable housing. The research we invested in has guided the legislation and regulation to ensure we can live and work in our community.
What has been your toughest business or professional decision to date?
It is never easy to help someone find their happiness or career elsewhere, I take team professional development to heart. I look for the best in people, and also believe we are all capable of greatness, even the most simple things can be completed with the greatest degree of pride and excellence. Mediocrity, in hospitality, is not helpful, nor contributory. I have had several experiences where I had to make some very difficult professional decisions with team members, always with the intention to support them to find their passion.
What does it take to be a successful business leader in 2025?
Open minded, open hearted, a good listener and resiliency—these traits are learned and developed over time, with experience. There is nothing more contributory than a leader who listens to others and understands that including diverse ideas and thinking builds a trusted team, but also has the propensity for greatness.
What do you wish you knew when you were first starting out in your career?
I had no idea that I had leadership abilities, nor that my human approach to life would benefit me in such amazing ways. I have always loved hospitality—I am honoured to have a career that brings others such pleasure—but am also deeply grateful that during my career I have had mentors who believed in me to a degree that I didn’t believe in myself. Seizing the opportunities is where the real magic was for me, and I had no idea that there was such challenging, rich experiences in my future.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
Being right is not helpful. Listening, and learning from others, understanding what others value and care about, and then evaluating how common ground, or mutual benefit could contribute. Our industry is complex and at times, fragile. we are in the people business which means it is also ever changing, with all kinds of differences. When I gave up being right, I found infinitely more successful.
Best piece of advice ever received?
Value each person for who they are. If you don’t know them, listen to them so you can understand. When a difficult situation arises, take the time to break bread with them—learn who they are, about their family and what matters to them.
What is your definition of success?
Win-win-win. Often in my position with advocacy, or business leadership, there are opposing positions, or frameworks or barriers that need to be navigated. I approach this with the intention that all parties find a position, an outcome or a solution that will enable all parties to be successful. Sometimes this is not possible, but if the initial approach is with win-win-win in mind, I have found over time in many circumstances, the end result is positive and also supports ongoing relationship building.
What are you most passionate about outside of work?
Our beautiful world, music, family and learning. I am a keen explorer, I love diverse cultures, history and architecture. I am a passionate foodie and believe in shopping local and supporting our local farmers.
What are you looking forward to personally and professionally this year?
More time with my elderly mom. The past few years, as she entered her 90s, she has required increased care. I have been travelling back and forth from Vancouver to Kelowna to care for her on weekends. The coming year, I have sorted out my calendar to have meaningful time with her for longer periods of time. Professionally, I have been working on research for social and community contribution that new accommodations provide municipally—I am excited for the outcome of the research and working together with municipalities to support their community plans. I bought an e-bike last year—and this year I am super excited to be riding my bike.
A personal motto, or favourite phrase or saying, that resonates with you?
How can we create win-win-win. And: Always take the trip.
A philanthropic, charitable or community-oriented cause or organization you support?
Slow Food International. I am on the international advisory council for Biosphere, Women in Need.
What do you do to unwind, relax or de-stress?
Walk, ride my bike, read by the fire, ski and take time with nature.
Favourite place in the province?
The Okanagan Valley.
Favourite restaurant(s)?
Backyard Farm, Forage, Nook.
A book or podcast you would recommend?
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver.
What is your best habit?
I sleep soundly.
A B.C. business leader you admire?
Tamara Vrooman,
Tell us one surprising or little-known fact about yourself.
I love to sing and used to be a pretty awesome dancer.
