Quote I Live By:
An important attribute of success is to be yourself. Never hide what makes you, you.
- Indra Nooyi, Former PepsiCo CEO
For Anita Sodhi-Cavezza, success was never part of a neatly drawn plan. Like many immigrant stories, hers was shaped by circumstance, resilience, and the quiet strength of family.
Her father first arrived in Canada in 1970, part of a generation of South Asian immigrants who came alone, hoping to build a future before bringing their families over. Anita followed with her mother when she was just three years old. Growing up in the 70s, she remembers a time when there were very few people who looked like them: “You really relied on your family. There wasn’t a big community around us the way there is now.”
That sense of family became even more important when tragedy struck. Anita was only sixteen when her father passed away. Overnight, the trajectory she had imagined for herself shifted.
“My mom suddenly had to take on everything,” she recalls. “It became less about following a plan and more about survival.” Her mother, widowed without financial support or extended family nearby, carried the responsibility of raising the family alone. Watching her navigate that reality left a lasting mark on Anita. “She was the symbol of strength in my life,” she says. “To see her resilience and determination at that time… I don’t know that I could ever live up to what she did.”
Instead of following the traditional path that many South Asian families envisioned for their children, Anita’s career unfolded more organically. She began working early, taking on roles that helped support her family. Her first job was in airport security, followed by a position with Continental Airlines. During this time, she discovered an opportunity in the tourism and events industry—an area she hadn’t previously considered but one that quickly resonated with her strengths.
She later joined the Vancouver Convention Centre, where she steadily built her career by gaining experience across multiple divisions. Over time, she developed a deep understanding of the venue’s operations and eventually moved into the sales team in 2000. Her role grew significantly when the convention centre expanded in 2010, tripling in size and creating new opportunities to diversify the organization’s business and attract major events.
Today, Anita serves as Director of Business Development at BC Place, Western Canada’s premier venue for major sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings. From international sporting competitions to global music tours, she has played a key role in bringing some of the city’s most high-profile events to Vancouver.
Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, relationships, and community impact. Anita has helped support major sports networks with broadcast infrastructure during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, secured the final three Vancouver shows of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, and played a role in bringing Diljit Dosanjh’s historic stadium concert to BC Place, the largest Punjabi stadium show ever held outside India. Most recently, she helped drive another milestone, with BC Place announcing record-breaking five Bruno Mars shows.
In 2025, Anita’s work was recognized when she was honored among women leaders at BC Place during the City of Vancouver’s Women Behind the Sound Day, celebrating the women shaping the region’s events and entertainment industry.
Through it all, Anita continues to carry the lessons she learned growing up. The importance of authenticity. The strength that comes from adversity. And the example of a mother who showed her what resilience truly looks like.
Q&A
Q- This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give to Gain.’ What does that phrase mean to you personally?
A- When you give your time, support, and mentorship to others, the impact always finds its way back. Communities grow stronger through that exchange.
Q- What’s one lesson you had to learn the hard way that shaped the woman you are today?
A- Life rarely follows the plan you imagine. Learning to adapt and keep moving forward is what builds resilience.
Q- Who is a woman you deeply admire, and what about her inspires you most?
A- My mom. After losing my father, she raised our family with incredible strength and determination.
Q- What’s one thing you hope more women give themselves permission to do?
A- Permission to fail. We often feel pressure to get everything right, but growth doesn’t happen without risk. What matters is what you learn from it and how you move forward stronger.
