Meet The Disruptors: Steph Corker of DisruptHR Vancouver

Who are the people that are taking the lead in disrupting the future of work?

They’re the official Disruptors (Organizers) of DisruptHR events held in cities around the world. Each week, we’ll introduce you to one of these intelligent, inspiring, and beautiful people (okay, pick two) who have stepped up, and volunteered to organize a Disrupt HR event in their city.

Steph Corker of DisruptHR Vancouver (Disruptor #150)

LinkedIn – Steph Corker

Twitter – @steph_corker

Who are you, and what do you do in your “day job”?

I am Steph Corker, the co-founder of The Corker Co. with my remarkable brother and business partner, Matt. I am also a rookie professional triathlete that is worth mentioning as sweaty hours certainly consume part of my day.

How did you first hear about DisruptHR?

Our good friend Kristian brought DisruptHR to Vancouver back in 2015. Matt and I both had the opportunity to speak at different events and then we took over hosting DisruptHR YVR in 2017.

Why did you decide to raise your hand and become an organizer for DisruptHR events in Vancouver?

Matt and I are SO passionate about the disruptive conversation — ideas, business practices, and ways of living full, awesome lives. We really wanted to be at the forefront of these discussions. We are also very passionately Canadians, running a Human Capital Consulting business supporting many organizations outside of Vancouver. Taking on DisruptHR YVR was an opportunity to support the local community.

How many events have you organized?

We have hosted 2 events so far and our 3rd is almost sold out! We are stoked to be hosting these at the OmniMax Theatre in Science World with over 400 attendees — this time, even popcorn is included;)

What types of people/industries have attended your events?

We are proud to share that we are getting quite a cross-section of human beings out to these events. I think the crowd may have started in the HR space, yet has quickly transformed to leaders of all kinds — from individual contributors who are keen on development to c-level executives curious about what’s hot these days. We are also committed to ensuring our speaker line up is of similar variety – both in generations, topics and opinions. After all, that is …disruption, right?!

What are you most proud of that has come out of being involved with/organizing DisruptHR events?

Matt and I set a list of core operating principles when we first took over. We said that we would always have a gender balanced speaker line up, one student and one athlete. We said we would not serve alcohol and our food choices would always be healthy. Hardly a surprise, yet we thought that those claims would kick off the disruption factor — and they have. We got more complaints about not having alcohol than anything else to do with our first event. Yet, our second event sold nearly twice the number of tickets. We are both so passionate that healthy leaders lead healthy businesses and want to be a stand for this!

What is your favorite DisruptHR Talk, and why?

We’ve had awesome awesome speakers. They really have stolen the show every time — heck, they make the show. Yet one of my all time favorites is Matt Corker’s. I’m biased, yet he is amazing.

Going Rogue: A Lesson In Making Sh*t Happen | Matt Corker | DisruptHR Talks from DisruptHR on Vimeo.

Based off of the Talks and conversations at your events, what do you feel are the areas with the biggest opportunity for disruption?

I think HR as a whole – as a function – needs a complete face lift. Leaders of HR need to be willing to renovate how this function has served growing a business in the past. At the end of the day, it is simply a cost center and I think it has a huge opportunity to innovate human being’s experiences at work.

What excites you or frustrates you about the future of work, your career and/or DisruptHR?

I am undeniably excited about the Future of Women in the workforce. I think the more female leaders at the top will shift how businesses are run — for the better. And I can’t wait to continue to contribute to this movement.

Follow What’s Happening With DisruptHR Vancouver City:

– DisruptHR Vancouver Community Page

– DisruptHR Vancouver Facebook Page

– DisruptHR Vancouver on Twitter (@DisruptHRyvr)

– #DisruptHRYVR Twitter mentions