Robyn McVicker

Background

About Robyn McVicker

From the control rooms of international airports to the heart of global sporting events, my career has been a journey of leading change, building high-performing teams, and turning complex challenges into operational successes. Over the past two decades, I’ve had the honour of driving transformation across aviation, tourism, and international multi-sport games, with a singular focus—creating environments where brands thrive, teams excel, and communities feel the impact. As the Director of Marketing and Communications at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), I worked to tell the airport’s story. Through innovative campaigns, we grew YVR’s brand recognition and solidified our place as the best airports in North America. One of my most defining leadership experiences was as YVR Vice President of Operations and then Passenger Journey during a time of unprecedented growth and later, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the aviation world shifted overnight, I redefined YVR’s operational strategy, designing safety protocols, managing crisis response, and introducing initiatives like COVID-19 testing facilities. By reimagining passenger flows, we ensured operational efficiency and maintained 90% guest satisfaction. That ability to transform operations while keeping teams motivated and aligned with a shared vision is what defines my leadership. I see the big picture, but I’m also able to bring structure and clarity to the details. This approach has allowed me to thrive across industries. In my current role as COO & Deputy CEO for the Invictus Games 2025 Vancouver Whistler, I’ve had the privilege of bringing together the worlds of sport, military, and global collaboration. Designing the first-ever winter Invictus Games, which will take place across six venues and feature 11 sports, requires not just operational expertise, but the ability to inspire and galvanize diverse teams. Throughout my career, I’ve been drawn to roles where change is needed, where the stakes are high, and the opportunity for impact is significant. Whether guiding YVR through its COVID-19 response or building marketing teams that win international awards, I thrive in environments that require both strategic thinking and hands-on leadership. My ability to create alignment across stakeholders, navigate complexity, and lead teams through transformation is what sets me apart. At my core, I believe that leadership is about more than just driving results—it’s about creating spaces where people can grow, where innovation can take hold, and where change is embraced.