Erinn Pinkerton receives Chamber Award of Distinction

VICTORIA, BC – Erinn Pinkerton is the recipient of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Award of Distinction. 

Pinkerton is the first woman to serve as President and CEO of BC Transit, overseeing the delivery of public transit across 130 communities in B.C. The agency has an annual operating budget of more than $420 million, employs a fleet of roughly 1,200 vehicles, and has more than 1,100 employees and 1,700 contracted employees.  

“Erinn is a titan in Greater Victoria’s business community, highly respected in communities across B.C. and across the continent for the innovation she has led,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “It’s always difficult for the award judges to choose one person among the many worthy candidates each year, but Erinn’s success speaks for itself.”

Pinkerton is known as a visionary leader who is modernizing public transit through innovation and technology. This includes transitioning BC Transit’s entire fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2040 and introducing electronic fare payments in 30 transit systems across the province by the end of 2024.  

The Chamber’s Award of Distinction honours a businessperson still active in business who, over a number of years, has made a noteworthy contribution to the Greater Victoria community. This award is in recognition of the positive influence the honouree has had on the economy, business, and the overall community, signifying the achievement, resourcefulness, and determination they have shown. An independent panel of prominent business leaders served as judges. 

“I’m honoured to receive this award from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, and I share this recognition with everyone at BC Transit,” Pinkerton said. “This award is a meaningful affirmation of our shared commitment to providing safe and reliable service to our customers. I accept it with gratitude, knowing that every member of our team has played a crucial role in achieving this success. Having the support of great partners like The Chamber helps strengthen our ability to meet our goals and ongoing commitment to the community. Together, we will continue to drive positive change and excellence in the world of public transit not only in Greater Victoria, but across the province as well.”

The Chamber’s Award of Distinction, sponsored by the Times Colonist, will be officially celebrated at the 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards, which feature 14 categories recognizing organizations and individuals that have distinguished themselves through excellent customer service, community leadership, innovation and more. 

In December 2023, James Gatsi was announced as Chamber Member of the Year for 2024. 

The Chamber’s 2024 Business Awards Ceremony will be held in May at the Victoria Conference Centre. Nominations are open until Jan. 18. The 2024 Greater Victoria Business Awards are sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, Royal Roads University, Times Colonist, Air Canada, BCLC, Camosun College, Canadian Tire, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, City of Victoria, Grant Thornton, Gustavson School of Business, Harbour Air, Innvo8 Digital Solutions Inc.,  PARC Retirement Living, WorldLine and The Number Creative.  
 
About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Acera Insurance, Berwick Retirement Communities, Big Wheel Burger, Camosun College, CHEK Media Group, CIBC, ColdStar Solutions, H2 Accelerator, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan Victoria Shipyards, Starlight Developments, TELUS Business, TD Commercial Banking, Times Colonist and the University of Victoria. Find out more at: victoriachamber.ca. 
  
Media Contact:  
Jim Zeeben, Policy and Strategic Communications 
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce  
250 360-3471 | communications@victoriachamber.ca