January 29, 2020
If the brightest stars are those who shine for the benefit of others, the light that Ida Goodreau provided was one of the brightest. Sadly, we lost Ida on December 9th, 2019 after her short battle with cancer.
Ida Goodreau accumulated extensive executive experience in both the public and private sectors. Starting her career in natural resources, she held senior positions in forestry (Fletcher Challenge and Norske Skog) and in the energy sector with Union Gas. In 2002, she made the transition to health care in the public sector as the Chief Executive Officer of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), BC’s largest health authority and one of the largest health care organizations in Canada, responsible for delivering health services to over 1.1 million people.
She headed VCH for nearly seven years, overseeing several notable projects — extensive renovations to the Vancouver General Hospital and the Emergency Department, the establishment of the Centre for Surgical Innovation at UBC Hospital, the opening of North America’s first supervised injection site, and the Burnaby Centre for Mental Health and Addiction, among others. Ida was someone who liked to get things done and while she didn’t begin her career in health care, there is no doubt that her contributions had a positive impact toward the care and well-being of British Columbians.
She left VCH in February 2009 for LifeLabs where she aimed her focus at moving diagnostics into areas like chronic diseases management, believing diagnostics had an important role to play in the prevention and management of chronic diseases, as well as how the world of genomics could predict the problems people might have.
“Ida’s acute sense of observation and insight into the strategic need for change helped shape health care in BC,” said John Shepherd, Vice-Chair, Genome BC Board of Directors. “She was very generous with her time and those of us who worked with her witnessed her tireless work ethic. She was very supportive of the Genome BC team and she will be dearly missed.”
Already a long standing member of Genome BC’s Board of Directors (since 2010), Ida served as Board Chair from 2016 to 2019, a time of significant transition for the organization. As Alan Winter, the company’s first CEO had stepped down, Ida was instrumental in searching for a new leader. “Ida was very present and incredibly insightful. She always took the time to check in with staff to see how they were doing.” said Sally Greenwood, Genome BC’s VP of Communications and Societal Engagement. “She understood that change is challenging. Her empathy was evident, and she helped make the transition smoother for everyone.”
Throughout her career, Ida shared her time and knowledge with many corporate and nonprofit boards, — the Vancouver Board of Trade, Fortis Inc., Fortis BC, Public Policy Institute, Streetohome Foundation, Genome BC, Vancouver Foundation, Canada West Foundation, UBC, among others. She also gave her time to the Snug Cove House Society on Bowen Island, where she made a cottage her home in Miller’s Landing.
“Ida was an extraordinary woman. Her intellect, curiosity and passion combined, made her an outstanding chair and board member,” said Pascal Spothelfer, President and CEO, Genome BC. “She held us to the highest standards, but she was always encouraging and provided good counsel. It was a privilege to work with Ida and we are all richer for having known her.”
Ida was recognized for many accomplishments; most significantly being chosen as one of “Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women” three years in a row. Ida found great satisfaction mentoring young women in both her personal and professional life and supporting her community.
Ida Goodreau made a significant impact in the corporate and public spaces. Her light shined most bright for the benefit of others in BC.
Condolences and memories of Ida can be shared at https://www.remembering.ca/obituary/ida-goodreau-1077986187
