Meet Joanna Ko: combining expertise in finance with project management
Joanna Ko wears two hats on the Slocan Site Redevelopment Project team. She's a project manager with the design and construction stream, as well as the finance lead keeping track of the facility’s capital budget.
The Slocan Site Redevelopment Project team is responsible for designing and delivering the new BC Children’s Hospital centre for health complexity, slated to open in 2028.
We asked Joanna to reflect on her twin roles over the past two years.
What were you doing before you took on this role?
I was working in PHSA’s Business Planning team looking after budgets and forecasts for different programs and portfolios. Before joining PHSA, I worked in finance and accounting across different sectors, including real estate development, mining, retail, and wholesale. Health care is my favourite, as it is something that everyone needs and the impact can, in many cases, be life-changing.
What excites you about the road ahead?
I’m excited about all aspects of the project since this is my first time working as a project manager and seeing things from a different angle. Learning all the intricacies of project management has been very fulfilling, despite the steep learning curve. This role motivated me to get my project management certificate last year. Being part of the team contributing to this first-of-its kind facility that will benefit children with health complexity and their families is such a unique opportunity!
What are you most passionate about?
I’m passionate about working on projects where I can see tangible results. With redevelopment projects, you can see buildings being built from the ground up. I’m also passionate about giving back and helping others. That’s the reason I’ve been an active member of a local Rotary club for more than 10 years, with so many rewarding volunteer experiences. Working on a health-care redevelopment project is a perfect combination of the two!
How do you unwind outside of work?
I enjoy spending time in the woods to unwind and invigorate my senses. It’s a good reminder to breathe properly by taking deep breaths. During the week, I normally don’t pay attention and default to shallow breathing.
Learn more about the new BC Children's Hospital centre for health complexity.
Meet other members of the team: Lee Johnston