36 | FORTY UNDER 40 2016 PUBLISHED BY BUSINESS IN VANCOUVER
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KIM LUCAS
im Lucas has always loved science, but she was never keen about laboratories. So, after graduating from University of British Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in science, she found the perfect job: working in sales for Stemcell Technologies. “I loved the science but I did not want to work in a lab,” said Lucas, who is Stemcell’s director of sales for the Americas. “I wanted to work in a business. When I joined, it was about 75 people and we’re 950 now. I lead a team of about 100 people, half of which have PhDs – so a wicked smart, highly scientific team.” Her team works with customers in the life sciences that use the company’s processes for growing stem cells for research and medicine. Stemcell is Vancouver’s most successful life sciences company, having experienced tremendous growth in recent years and expanded its reach into Europe, Asia and Australia. Lucas describes her role as “basically constantly leading a team through change.” Lucas has had key roles in implementing programs and processes needed for the company’s expansion. She most recently was in charge of setting up Stemcell’s first U.S. regional sales office, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She was also responsible for developing an inside sales team and a regional manager structure, and for rolling out a new customer relationship management system. The key account management and regional manager structures she developed for the company’s Canadian offices have been implemented in other Stemcell offices in Europe, China, Singapore and Australia. As the leader of Stemcell’s sales
Birthplace: Edmonton Where you live now: Vancouver Highest level of education: Bachelor of science from UBC Currently reading: Topgrading for Sales: World-Class Methods to Interview, Hire, and Coach Top Sales Representatives by Bradford D. Smart and Greg
40 Under Forty 2016_60 pages_11.07_132.indd 36
Director of sales, Stemcell Technologies
RICHARD LAM
division, it’s Lucas’ job to develop strategies for revenue generation. She has achieved 20% revenue growth in fiscal 2016, and over a three-year period, she expanded Stemcell’s sales territory by 55%. She has managed to do all that and be a mom to two children, aged nine and 10. In addition to her job at Stemcell, Lucas sits on the board of directors for the B.C.-Yukon branch of the Canadian Cancer Society.
Alexander; The Emperor of Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee; and The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis Currently listening to: Spotify When you were a kid, what you wanted to be when you grew up: A businesswoman in a fancy suit, and a mom
I lead a team of about 100 people, half of which have PhDs – so a wicked smart, highly scientific team
Profession you would most like to try: Stay-at-home mom with more children
finish line. Buy more real estate. Read more. Never miss a special occasion
Toughest business or professional decision: To come back to Vancouver and take an opportunity at head office instead of working in Europe
What’s left to do: More travel, more school, more kids? Another marathon, maybe Ironman? Cure cancer
Advice you would give the younger you: Slow down, there is no
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