Judi Hess has spent over 40 years in the technology industry in British Columbia, from MDA to Creo to Copperleaf. Most recently she was the CEO of Copperleaf taking it from a fledgling company in 2009 to an IPO in 2021 reaching unicorn status. She was only one of two women to take a technology company public in the history of the TSX. In 2023 she stepped up to the Vice Chair role at Copperleaf and oversaw the strategic exit to IFS for one billion dollars in 2024.

Prior to Copperleaf, Judi held the position of President at Creo until Eastman Kodak bought Creo in 2005 for almost $1 Billion USD. She started her career at MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates as a software engineer in the 1980s.

Judi has been recognized for being an outstanding leader and visionary through numerous awards, including Canada’s Most Admired CEOs, EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Winner, 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, BC Tech Person of the Year, and BC CEO of the Year. She was a member of the Premier’s Technology Council for many years. She holds an Honors Bachelor of Mathematics Degree with Distinction – Dean’s Honors List from the University of Waterloo and is an avid downhill skier.