My Journey

Jason Williams is an electrical engineer who later moved into product development, business development and IT operations. Currently a manager in the innovation and technology group at the Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR), he looks after commercial, business development and IT Operations for their Border Express product, a border control kiosk that YVR operates locally and also sells to other airports internationally.

Jason is also responsible for IT Operations of YVR’s recently launched digital twin, an initiative that has positioned YVR as an aviation leader in digital transformation. The digital twin uses live situational data and simulations for training, future planning, operational testing and optimization by presenting key information through 2D and 3D visualizations.

Jason's director heard about the Digital Transformation Leadership program and shared it as something that might benefit the work that they were doing with the digital twin initiative. After reviewing the course content, the program aligned with the airport's strategic goals—that is, embarking on a journey to digitally transform the way YVR operates, leading to further industry disruption.

My experience at SFU Beedie

The core lectures were extensive and included examples and case studies from different industries and major companies that provided context. The program also allowed the cohort to collaborate with individuals across industries and projects.

“In the Digital Transformation Leadership program there were students from all backgrounds, including public health, natural resources and a big group from IT,” says Jason. “It was fantastic because you really got to see how other people were thinking and applying the learning in their world.”

This was also the first program Jason had done completely online.

“Accessing the technology went smoothly,” says Jason. “You could do it on your own time. There was no pressure. And through it all, there was lots of encouragement from the faculty, so it was incredibly engaging for something that was completely remote.”

Highlights

The course gave Jason a great understanding of how to break down silos and communicate effectively in his workplace.

“YVR runs the biggest building and one of the most complex operations in the province," says Jason. "As such, we have a lot of different departments focused in their own areas of work,” says Jason. “How do we break down those barriers and connect across the organization? The program provided some great content on organizational communication and best practices around cross-departmental connection.”

The module talking about executive and key sponsorship was a key moment that really resonated with Jason and made a big difference in how he is now communicating with various stakeholders and departments. “It certainly brings down the walls and opens up collaboration,” says Jason.

“Innovation and entrepreneurship professor, Blaize Reich, also had a module focused on describing and manifesting a picture of a future result before you’ve even started on a project—this was done by writing the outcome up in a press release," says Jason. "loved that exercise.”

Advice for future students

“It’s really important that you’re in a job where you’re actually undertaking a digital transformation in your workplace,” says Jason. “The course learning adds up to a vast amount of valuable information that both validates the work that we’ve done in the past, as well as giving us ways to apply new knowledge every day.”

If Jason were to do the program again, he’d have someone else from YVR come and join him so they could collaborate on workplace projects together using the steps learned in the program.

“My suggestion is to encourage companies to bring in more than one employee,” says Jason. 

Visit the Digital Innovation and Leadership (DIAL) website