When you ask Marina Andrew what drives her work as BCLC’s senior specialist of municipal relations, she doesn’t talk about policy or politics. She talks about people.
She recalls a cold December day last year and a community kitchen in Surrey buzzing with energy. Local leaders, volunteers and community members were gathered for a holiday outreach event led by BCLC – sharing food, laughter and festive spirit. For Andrew, that event wasn’t just a way of giving back. It was a breakthrough.
“The holiday outreach program was a trifecta of success,” recalls Andrew. “We were helping communities for the holidays, but we were also collaborating with the city and the local casino so that we were all showing up in one space together, supporting one cause together. It leveled the playing field for us. Our common purpose and common humanity superseded everything else.”
Andrew’s work is grounded in BCLC’s social purpose: generating win-wins for the greater good through human connection. But this isn’t just a corporate statement for Andrew. It’s personal – a way of working, a way of leading and a way of living. And in her world, every conversation is a chance to build a bridge.
The belief that connection is the foundation of impact has guided Andrew through her eight years at BCLC. Her current role involves building relationships with municipalities across British Columbia, work that has significant implications on BCLC’s license to operate. For Andrew, the success of this work isn’t measured in transactions – it’s measured in trust.
With a background in sales, Andrew learned early that trust is earned one-to-one, face-to-face. COVID-19 made that harder, but it also reinforced her conviction that authentic engagement matters. “When you’re among people, talking, feeling and interacting, it humanizes the gambling industry,” explains Andrew. “By connecting on a human level, the conversation begins to shift.”
Andrew’s approach to this is rooted in empathy and curiosity. “Any relationship starts with thoughtful questions,” she says. “Everyone has pain points. If you care enough to ask and listen, you can find solutions and create real value together.”
That shift matters. Gambling can carry stigma, and municipalities often approach it with caution. Andrew’s role is not to lobby, but to listen. “Barriers exist because there’s no relationship,” she says. “When people feel there’s a real person behind BCLC, it changes the dynamic.”
Her advice for others who want to lead with connection? Treat everyone the same. Whether it’s a mayor, a casino partner or a community leader, she focuses on what equalizes them – their humanity. “At the end of the day, we all share the same needs,” says Andrew. “Every human just wants to know that someone cares.”
One of her proudest initiatives is the Community Recognition Program (CRP), which highlights how gambling revenue benefits local communities – from funding programs to investing in infrastructure.
“If people understand where the money goes every time they play with BCLC, it can start to dismantle the stigma around gambling,” Andrew says. “The CRP effectively demonstrates that. It’s about showing that there’s more to gambling than the game.”
As BCLC continues to advance its social purpose, Andrew sees relationships as the foundation for success. “Connection grows connection. Our opportunities are boundless when relationships are nurtured,” she says. “I will always bet on human connection.”
BCLC is celebrating Purpose in Business Week led by the Canadian Purpose Economy Project, November 17th to 21st, 2025.
