Hayley Woodin Hastings
Hayley Woodin Hastings serves as the Strategic Advisor to British Columbia’s head of state, the Honourable Wendy Cocchia, Lieutenant Governor of B.C. In this role, the first of its kind in the province, Hayley is developing and supporting initiatives that advance economic opportunity, innovation in health, and meaningful inclusion. In the years ahead, she will work closely with Her Honour to create a lasting and impactful legacy for the province.
Hayley is an award-winning journalist and editor who previously served as Editor-in-Chief of three publications, including Business in Vancouver, the largest business news platform in B.C. She was the second woman and youngest person to hold that role in the organization’s 36-year history. Prior to that, she was appointed BIV’s first executive editor. Across multiple leadership roles over nearly a decade in media, Hayley developed the strategic direction of one of Western Canada’s most successful media publications, launched new products, grew BIV’s award-winning newsroom, and significantly advanced the organization’s reputation as a reliable, trustworthy source of hard-hitting business news.
In 2022, Hayley graduated from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism at the top of her class as valedictorian, with a Master of Science degree in journalism (honours). She has received multiple awards and prizes for her work in this field, and is proud to have been a Pulitzer Travelling Fellow, an Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar, a Pulitzer Center Post-Grad Reporting Fellow, and an Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Media Fellow.
Hayley supports a number of causes through volunteer and philanthropic efforts, and received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her achievements in journalism and work in community. She is a board director and executive committee member of the Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, a board director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, chair of The Justice Hack, co-chair of Big Sisters’ campaign to raise $5 million for Metro Vancouver’s first mentorship hub, and co-chair of the Pacific Autism Family Network’s LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon.
A lifetime ago, Hayley was Miss White Rock 2008, and a British Columbia Ambassador (Miss B.C.) when the Olympics came to Vancouver. These were both highly involved ambassador positions that included extensive fundraising, public speaking, civic engagement, and more than a thousand hours of volunteering.
Two lifetimes ago, Hayley rocked out in an all-girl band as keyboardist for the Chickabooms. Highlights from this time include performing for 10,000 people at a Canada Day festival half-time show, playing live on a popular morning radio program, and making it to the semi-finals of the Pacific National Exhibition’s Star Search competition.