Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia C.M., O.B.C., LL.D. (Hon)

Wendy is the Chief Executive Officer of Century Plaza Hotel. A dedicated wife, mother, and community leader, Wendy’s motivation to drive positive change is evident in every project she leads.

Wendy gives her time to community and provincial boards, where she displays an inexhaustible drive to broker positive relationships and advance economic and social good. Her community involvement includes serving as the Vancouver Board of Trade’s fifth and youngest female chair in its 128 year history, Business Council of British Columbia Governor, Vancouver Police Foundation’s first female Trustee, and a Royal Roads University Fellow. Wendy serves as a Director for the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, was a founding director for Destination British Columbia, and co-founded the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation.

Wendy is a serial entrepreneur, specializing in the hospitality industry. She founded the Absolute Spa Group and grew the company from one single spa location into Canada’s largest, independent spa chain. Absolute Spa received over 75 awards for spa excellence, including CNN.com “Top Airport Spas”, London Daily Express “Best of Vancouver Award” and Business of the Year awarded by the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

Wendy has a long list of local, national and international recognitions. At an international level, she has received the Variety Club’s International Corporate Fundraiser of the Year. Most recently, Wendy was honoured with the Order of British Columbia, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and was presented with the Leading Spas of Canada’s most prestigious honor, the Lifetime Achievement Industry Award. Wendy has also received an Honorary Doctorate from the Justice Institute of British Columbia, the British Columbia Community Achievement Award, the CH.I.L.D Foundation Humanitarian Award, Business in Vancouver’s Top 40 Under 40, Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, and British Columbia’s Most Influential Business Women.