The VHA Leadership Awards are an annual recognition program to further build and strengthen VHA’s culture of leadership excellence by recognizing individuals at all levels who demonstrate impactful leadership.

Desmond Kiu, Director of Integrated and Enterprise Health Solutions, is a Leadership Award recipient in the Leading with Purpose category. Awardees in this category are trailblazers who look for continuous improvements of our processes, innovative ways to deliver spectacular care, and bring a solution focused mindset to problems.

As one nomination for Desmond shares, “His character is the personification of VHA’s mission and values, all of which is evident through his work. All of his colleagues love working with him, making it easy to continue to work at a high level, a feat that demands recognition on its own.”

We sat down with Desmond to hear more about his approach to leadership and journey at VHA so far.

VHA: You’ve been selected in the category “Leading with Purpose.” Congratulations! Could you tell us what “leading with purpose” means to you?

Desmond: To me, leading with purpose is about being solutions oriented.  Guiding and motivating team members to look for creative solutions to challenges and develop processes that are responsive and adaptable to opportunities that VHA not have been involved with previously.  In addition, it means always focusing on continuous improvement to provide exceptional care and support to our clients, families, staff, and partners.

VHA: What motivates you to do the work that you do?

Desmond: I’m inspired by the people I work with and our shared goal of making a difference.  Hearing positive stories and seeing the impact of our work on a system level motivates me to keep moving forward.

VHA: Could you tell us about an achievement, inside or outside of work, that you’re proud of?

Desmond: An achievement I’m proud of is building and expanding the Enterprise Health Solutions team after joining in 2018.  As part of a small team, I took on many responsibilities, which allowed me to learn a great deal in a short time and approach challenges with creativity.  Implementing new programs like UHN Integrated Care Program and PSWs into SickKids Hospital, and witnessing their impact and growth, have been incredibly meaningful and rewarding.

VHA: When you look back on your journey at VHA so far, could you tell us about a moment or situation that stands out where you learned something that changed your perspective? This can be anything- big or small!

Desmond: When I transitioned into a leadership role years ago, I had the chance to learn about different parts of the organization and collaborate with colleagues across various departments.  This experience shifted my perspective, revealing how much effort and teamwork goes into what we do.  It helped me approach things with a broader view and understand the importance of considering how others are involved and connected.

VHA: There’s no doubt that a huge part of being a leader is teamwork. Do you have any advice for how to build that connection and trust?

Desmond: Be dependable and consistently deliver on what you say you’ll do.  It’s important to foster a safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their expertise, skills, and challenges.  Prioritize time for your team and promote honest, regular communication.  I believe in leading by example and modelling the behaviours you want to see in others.