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2019 Board of Directors
The 15-person Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors represent all facets of Chamber membership. There are 12 elected and three appointed — two of which are non-voting: The Chamber CEO and a Prodigy Group representative. The influential board works with decision-makers at all levels of government over the year to support our region’s business interests as well as maximize the value of membership with The Chamber. Executive Dan Dagg • Chair John Wilson • Vice-Chair Al Hasham • Past Chair Christina Clarke • Secretary Kris Wirk • Treasurer Directors Ian Batey • Director Captain (Navy) Jason Boyd • Director Carmen Charette • Director Lise Gyorkos • Director Moira Hauk • Director Rahim Khudabux • Director Pedro Marquez • Director Danielle Mulligan • Director (Prodigy Group) Paul van Koll • Director Catherine Holt • CEO |
To view minutes from the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors meetings, click here.
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Dan Dagg • Chair
Dan is president & CEO of Hot House Marketing and H2 Digital, Victoria based marketing-communications firms with a regional, national and international client base.
Dan has an extensive business and academic background in marketing and advertising, is a Certified Advertising Agency Practitioner through the Institute of Canadian Advertising Agencies and a trained facilitator through the Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence program.
Dan has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2010.
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Dan is president & CEO of Hot House Marketing and H2 Digital, Victoria based marketing-communications firms with a regional, national and international client base.
Dan has an extensive business and academic background in marketing and advertising, is a Certified Advertising Agency Practitioner through the Institute of Canadian Advertising Agencies and a trained facilitator through the Pacific Institute’s Investment in Excellence program.
Dan has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2010.
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John Wilson • Vice-Chair
John is the co-owner and CEO of Wilson's Group of Companies, which includes Wilson’s Transportation Ltd., Greyline Sightseeing, YYJ Airport Shuttle, BC Ferries Connector, Capital City Station and Capital City Café. John has over 30 years experience in the motor coach, school bus and sightseeing industry.
John is also the Chair of The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, a member of the City of Victoria's Economic Development and Downtown Prosperity Task Force as well as Destination Greater Victoria's Transportation Committee. John is a member of the Langford Economic Development Sport & Recreation Committee, an executive member of SKAL International. He is a director Motor Coach Canada, the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, and SportHost. He is owner of Smith Transportation Ltd and co-owner of 4Refuel (Southern Vancouver Island), Experience Victoria, and Party Peeps.
He is also co-owner of the Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey Club, Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club, and Peninsula Panthers Junior Hockey Club. John has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2011
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John is the co-owner and CEO of Wilson's Group of Companies, which includes Wilson’s Transportation Ltd., Greyline Sightseeing, YYJ Airport Shuttle, BC Ferries Connector, Capital City Station and Capital City Café. John has over 30 years experience in the motor coach, school bus and sightseeing industry.
John is also the Chair of The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, a member of the City of Victoria's Economic Development and Downtown Prosperity Task Force as well as Destination Greater Victoria's Transportation Committee. John is a member of the Langford Economic Development Sport & Recreation Committee, an executive member of SKAL International. He is a director Motor Coach Canada, the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame, and SportHost. He is owner of Smith Transportation Ltd and co-owner of 4Refuel (Southern Vancouver Island), Experience Victoria, and Party Peeps.
He is also co-owner of the Victoria Grizzlies Junior A Hockey Club, Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club, and Peninsula Panthers Junior Hockey Club. John has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2011
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Al Hasham • Past Chair
Al is owner of Maximum Express, a local family owned and operated courier, freight and logistics company with offices in Victoria and Vancouver.
Al has nearly four decades in the courier business, with deep expertise on moving goods within Greater Victoria as well as on and off Vancouver Island.
Al is also owner of Max Furniture, which he started in 2008. He has always made time to support the local community, volunteering with the BC Cancer Foundation, The Mustard Seed food bank and others and mentoring emerging business leaders such as through The Chamber’s Prodigy Group.
Al is a the Board Liaison to the The Chamber's Prodigy Group, and has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2010.
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Al is owner of Maximum Express, a local family owned and operated courier, freight and logistics company with offices in Victoria and Vancouver.
Al has nearly four decades in the courier business, with deep expertise on moving goods within Greater Victoria as well as on and off Vancouver Island.
Al is also owner of Max Furniture, which he started in 2008. He has always made time to support the local community, volunteering with the BC Cancer Foundation, The Mustard Seed food bank and others and mentoring emerging business leaders such as through The Chamber’s Prodigy Group.
Al is a the Board Liaison to the The Chamber's Prodigy Group, and has served on The Chamber’s Board since 2010.
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Kris Wirk • Treasurer
Kris is a partner with the accounting firm Dickson Dusanj & Wirk.
Kris brings over thirteen years’ experience in providing accounting and tax services for owner-managed businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations.
Kris is Chair of The Chamber’s Finance and Audit Committee, as well as a lecturer for the CPA School of Business and treasurer for the Victoria Prostate Centre. Kris began serving on The Chamber’s Board in 2016.
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Kris is a partner with the accounting firm Dickson Dusanj & Wirk.
Kris brings over thirteen years’ experience in providing accounting and tax services for owner-managed businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations.
Kris is Chair of The Chamber’s Finance and Audit Committee, as well as a lecturer for the CPA School of Business and treasurer for the Victoria Prostate Centre. Kris began serving on The Chamber’s Board in 2016.
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Christina Clarke • Secretary
Christina Clarke is Executive Director for Songhees Nation. She started with the Nation in 1995 after graduating from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian History and Anthropology.
Christina lead implementation of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act for Songhees Nation, helping to achieve the first FMA laws in Canada and first debenture bond issue by the First Nations Finance Authority. Christina has represented Songhees Nation as a board member of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and the South Island Prosperity Project and on the Mayor’s Task Force on Social Procurement and Social Enterprise for the City of Victoria. She also serves as a Director for Lekwungen Development Corporation and Songhees Nation Investment Corporation. Christina’s second proudest achievement is her contribution to the planning and financing of the award winning Songhees Wellness Centre.
Christina’s proudest moments are with her daughter Katie.
Christina has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Christina Clarke is Executive Director for Songhees Nation. She started with the Nation in 1995 after graduating from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian History and Anthropology.
Christina lead implementation of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act for Songhees Nation, helping to achieve the first FMA laws in Canada and first debenture bond issue by the First Nations Finance Authority. Christina has represented Songhees Nation as a board member of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and the South Island Prosperity Project and on the Mayor’s Task Force on Social Procurement and Social Enterprise for the City of Victoria. She also serves as a Director for Lekwungen Development Corporation and Songhees Nation Investment Corporation. Christina’s second proudest achievement is her contribution to the planning and financing of the award winning Songhees Wellness Centre.
Christina’s proudest moments are with her daughter Katie.
Christina has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Ian Batey • Director
Born, educated and raising his family (with wife Anne) in Victoria, Ian is serious about economic growth and prosperity for individuals and community. As Principal, IPB Consulting, he provides essential advice to free enterprise and NFP sector organizations built on enduring relationships, trust and transparency. Ian has significant leadership expertise in business, governance, philanthropy, homelessness, affordable housing and major sport events through the Institute of Corporate Directors, Coalition to End Homelessness, GV Housing Society, Our Place, Bayview Place and PGA Canada’s Cardtronics Open. A contributing Chamber member since 2009, he serves on the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Employment housing and entrepreneurism ground truth Ian’s vision for our community—a continuously vibrant and competitive business environment with a robust supply and retention of highly qualified, skilled and motivated people.
Ian has served on The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Born, educated and raising his family (with wife Anne) in Victoria, Ian is serious about economic growth and prosperity for individuals and community. As Principal, IPB Consulting, he provides essential advice to free enterprise and NFP sector organizations built on enduring relationships, trust and transparency. Ian has significant leadership expertise in business, governance, philanthropy, homelessness, affordable housing and major sport events through the Institute of Corporate Directors, Coalition to End Homelessness, GV Housing Society, Our Place, Bayview Place and PGA Canada’s Cardtronics Open. A contributing Chamber member since 2009, he serves on the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.
Employment housing and entrepreneurism ground truth Ian’s vision for our community—a continuously vibrant and competitive business environment with a robust supply and retention of highly qualified, skilled and motivated people.
Ian has served on The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Captain (Navy) Sam Sader • Director
Capt. (N) Sam Sader has assumed the role of Base Commander at CFB Esquimalt, one of Greater Victoria's largest employers and contributors to the economy.
Capt. (N) Sam Sader graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor degree of Business Administration in 2000.
His most cherished sea time has been serving from 2005 to 2007 as the Head of the Logistics Department in HMCS OTTAWA while deployed on OP ALTAIR Task Force Arabian Sea. Operational highlights included leading the Forward Logistics Site Team and being seconded to the Naval Boarding Team. He held the shore Branch Head position of Base Comptroller at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt following the completion of his MBA in 2011.
On completion of a Master of Defence Studies at Canadian Forces College Toronto in 2015, he joined the National Defense Headquarters Naval Staff as section head within the Directorate of Naval Logistics. While in Ottawa, he assumed the role of Royal Canadian Navy lead for strategic supply chain analytics and developed a passion for modernizing the Navy’s supply systems.
In July 2017, he was thrilled to be back to the beloved West Coast as the Commanding Officer of Base Logistics Esquimalt where he could support deploying ships while implementing Logistics strategic initiatives and digital transformation. He was promoted to his current rank in June 2019.
As with previous CFB Esquimalt Base Commanders, The Chamber appointed Capt. (N) Sader to its Board of Directors. He also serves on The Chamber's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.
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Capt. (N) Sam Sader has assumed the role of Base Commander at CFB Esquimalt, one of Greater Victoria's largest employers and contributors to the economy.
Capt. (N) Sam Sader graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada with a Bachelor degree of Business Administration in 2000.
His most cherished sea time has been serving from 2005 to 2007 as the Head of the Logistics Department in HMCS OTTAWA while deployed on OP ALTAIR Task Force Arabian Sea. Operational highlights included leading the Forward Logistics Site Team and being seconded to the Naval Boarding Team. He held the shore Branch Head position of Base Comptroller at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt following the completion of his MBA in 2011.
On completion of a Master of Defence Studies at Canadian Forces College Toronto in 2015, he joined the National Defense Headquarters Naval Staff as section head within the Directorate of Naval Logistics. While in Ottawa, he assumed the role of Royal Canadian Navy lead for strategic supply chain analytics and developed a passion for modernizing the Navy’s supply systems.
In July 2017, he was thrilled to be back to the beloved West Coast as the Commanding Officer of Base Logistics Esquimalt where he could support deploying ships while implementing Logistics strategic initiatives and digital transformation. He was promoted to his current rank in June 2019.
As with previous CFB Esquimalt Base Commanders, The Chamber appointed Capt. (N) Sader to its Board of Directors. He also serves on The Chamber's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.
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Carmen Charette • Director
Carmen Charette is the Vice-President External Relations at the University of Victoria, one of Greater Victoria's largest employers and contributors to the economy. She is responsible for the university’s community and government relations, communications and marketing, alumni relations and fundraising, the Legacy Art Galleries and Farquhar Auditorium, and Ceremonies and Events.
Carmen has over 30 years in the public sector providing strategic leadership to government and university officials, the private sector and community leaders across Canada.
Carmen is Vice-Chair of the Chamber's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. She is also a member of Education Victoria, a partnership promoting Victoria as an education destination for international markets.
Carmen has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2016.
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Carmen Charette is the Vice-President External Relations at the University of Victoria, one of Greater Victoria's largest employers and contributors to the economy. She is responsible for the university’s community and government relations, communications and marketing, alumni relations and fundraising, the Legacy Art Galleries and Farquhar Auditorium, and Ceremonies and Events.
Carmen has over 30 years in the public sector providing strategic leadership to government and university officials, the private sector and community leaders across Canada.
Carmen is Vice-Chair of the Chamber's Public Policy and Advocacy Committee. She is also a member of Education Victoria, a partnership promoting Victoria as an education destination for international markets.
Carmen has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2016.
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Lise Gyorkos • Director
Lise Gyorkos is president and co-owner of Page One Publishing Inc., creator of Douglas, YAM and Spruce magazines.
Lise launched Page One in 1998 with Georgina Camilleri, growing the company into one of B.C.’s largest and most successful magazine publishers.
Lise has made a significant, positive contribution to her company and our community. She is a passionate champion for economic development, helping to create a vibrant region that attracts and grows entrepreneurs. She is particularly interested in the needs of small business and promoting our vibrant business community.
Along with providing ethical leadership for her team at Page One, Lise gives her time to many community causes and organizations including the Greater Victoria Housing Society. Lise began serving on The Chamber's Board in 2016.
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Lise Gyorkos is president and co-owner of Page One Publishing Inc., creator of Douglas, YAM and Spruce magazines.
Lise launched Page One in 1998 with Georgina Camilleri, growing the company into one of B.C.’s largest and most successful magazine publishers.
Lise has made a significant, positive contribution to her company and our community. She is a passionate champion for economic development, helping to create a vibrant region that attracts and grows entrepreneurs. She is particularly interested in the needs of small business and promoting our vibrant business community.
Along with providing ethical leadership for her team at Page One, Lise gives her time to many community causes and organizations including the Greater Victoria Housing Society. Lise began serving on The Chamber's Board in 2016.
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Moira Hauk • Director
Moira Hauk is the Regional Manager, South Island for Coastal Community Credit Union; the largest Island-based Credit Union with more than $2.5 billion in assets and 24 branches across Vancouver Island. Moira has enjoyed an upwardly mobile career in the banking industry.
Moira currently serves on the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce finance committee, and is the Victoria Chamber representative on Tourism Victoria’s Board of Directors. As an active volunteer for many different organizations and associations, Moira believes that by supporting the communities where we live and work, we contribute to the health and vibrancy of our local economy.
Attraction and retention of a skilled workforce and housing affordability are areas requiring innovative thought and action to reach solutions.
Moira has served on The Chamber's Board since 2019.
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Moira Hauk is the Regional Manager, South Island for Coastal Community Credit Union; the largest Island-based Credit Union with more than $2.5 billion in assets and 24 branches across Vancouver Island. Moira has enjoyed an upwardly mobile career in the banking industry.
Moira currently serves on the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce finance committee, and is the Victoria Chamber representative on Tourism Victoria’s Board of Directors. As an active volunteer for many different organizations and associations, Moira believes that by supporting the communities where we live and work, we contribute to the health and vibrancy of our local economy.
Attraction and retention of a skilled workforce and housing affordability are areas requiring innovative thought and action to reach solutions.
Moira has served on The Chamber's Board since 2019.
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Rahim Khudabux • Director
Rahim is the GM and Owner of Max Furniture a locally owned and operated furniture store specializing in Canadian Made and good quality furniture for your home or office.
Graduating from the University of Victoria in 2007 Rahim has owned and operated 4 business in Victoria and loves to call it home. Rahim has worked closely with the Chamber since his business career started in Victoria and he served as the Mingle Lead for two years on the Prodigy Group Committee.
Involving himself in the community, giving back and attending virtually every event he can—Rahim “The Dream” prides himself on business development, community support, dance offs at the Harbour Cats games and mentorship as those are the reasons he is able to be successful in business. Rahim wants to be on the Chamber board to ensure that that the voice of business is heard in the region from ALL sizes of businesses.
Rhahim is Chair of the Ambassador Committee and has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Rahim is the GM and Owner of Max Furniture a locally owned and operated furniture store specializing in Canadian Made and good quality furniture for your home or office.
Graduating from the University of Victoria in 2007 Rahim has owned and operated 4 business in Victoria and loves to call it home. Rahim has worked closely with the Chamber since his business career started in Victoria and he served as the Mingle Lead for two years on the Prodigy Group Committee.
Involving himself in the community, giving back and attending virtually every event he can—Rahim “The Dream” prides himself on business development, community support, dance offs at the Harbour Cats games and mentorship as those are the reasons he is able to be successful in business. Rahim wants to be on the Chamber board to ensure that that the voice of business is heard in the region from ALL sizes of businesses.
Rhahim is Chair of the Ambassador Committee and has served on the The Chamber's Board since 2018.
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Pedro Márquez • Director
Pedro Márquez holds a doctorate degree from the University of Calgary in Management and Political Science and is the Vice President of Global Advancement, Marketing and Business Development at Royal Roads University. Pedro has been an active member of the community serving on numerous boards such as the South Island Prosperity Project, West Shore Chamber of Commerce and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, among others. An academic at heart, Pedro has worked closely with businesses and the community to capitalize opportunities, synergies and advancement, both in Canada and Mexico. His research is focused on corporate governance, international education, business ethics and NAFTA. Pedro considers regional economic development and small business development as key issues for the future.
Pedro has served on The Chamber's board since 2019.
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Pedro Márquez holds a doctorate degree from the University of Calgary in Management and Political Science and is the Vice President of Global Advancement, Marketing and Business Development at Royal Roads University. Pedro has been an active member of the community serving on numerous boards such as the South Island Prosperity Project, West Shore Chamber of Commerce and Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, among others. An academic at heart, Pedro has worked closely with businesses and the community to capitalize opportunities, synergies and advancement, both in Canada and Mexico. His research is focused on corporate governance, international education, business ethics and NAFTA. Pedro considers regional economic development and small business development as key issues for the future.
Pedro has served on The Chamber's board since 2019.
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Paul van Koll • Director
Paul van Koll is a Senior Manager at KPMG. He graduated from the University of Victoria and has more than nine years of experience serving a variety of clients throughout B.C. as a CPA, CA.
Paul was the Secretary-Treasurer, and subsequently the Vice President of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, serving just under 1,000 members. During his time in these positions, he attended both B.C. and Canadian Chamber Annual General Meetings to help form policy. He volunteered as Treasurer for the posAbilities Association of British Columbia and spent more than 10 years as a coach for the Developmentally Challenged Youth Basketball Association.
Paul is happy to be back in Victoria and excited to make connections, continue advocacy efforts and bring new ideas to the board.
Paul has served on The Chamber's Board since 2019.
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Paul van Koll is a Senior Manager at KPMG. He graduated from the University of Victoria and has more than nine years of experience serving a variety of clients throughout B.C. as a CPA, CA.
Paul was the Secretary-Treasurer, and subsequently the Vice President of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, serving just under 1,000 members. During his time in these positions, he attended both B.C. and Canadian Chamber Annual General Meetings to help form policy. He volunteered as Treasurer for the posAbilities Association of British Columbia and spent more than 10 years as a coach for the Developmentally Challenged Youth Basketball Association.
Paul is happy to be back in Victoria and excited to make connections, continue advocacy efforts and bring new ideas to the board.
Paul has served on The Chamber's Board since 2019.
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Danielle Mulligan • Prodigy Group
Danielle Mulligan has been fundraising in the Victoria community for more than four years, and is currently an Annual Giving Officer at the University of Victoria. She is responsibly for their Faculty and Staff Campaign, the Island Medical Program, as well as many campus events that raise funds to support students and programs that transform people, places and the planet.
Danielle grew up on Vancouver Island and is very passionate about the community and making connections. Her positive and sociable demeanor makes her a great fit as the Prodigy Group's Acting Chair. If you see her at a Monthly Mingle make sure to say hello!
Danielle Mulligan has been fundraising in the Victoria community for more than four years, and is currently an Annual Giving Officer at the University of Victoria. She is responsibly for their Faculty and Staff Campaign, the Island Medical Program, as well as many campus events that raise funds to support students and programs that transform people, places and the planet.
Danielle grew up on Vancouver Island and is very passionate about the community and making connections. Her positive and sociable demeanor makes her a great fit as the Prodigy Group's Acting Chair. If you see her at a Monthly Mingle make sure to say hello!
