Opportunity to Join a Chamber Committee
Every year, there are a few openings on our committees for new members. We are recruiting now for members who will be available starting Jan. 1, 2023 for at least a two-year term. Chamber committees
From the days before Confederation, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce — through the work of its board and committees — has helped shape much of what we now take for granted. We campaigned for the Canadian Pacific Railway to build the landmark Empress Hotel, worked to attract national retailers such as Canadian Tire, advocated for the growth of the University of Victoria and much, much, more. Comprised of experienced business and community leaders, its committees advise Chamber leadership on what is needed to improve business conditions in Greater Victoria. Many of The Chamber's current and past successes have resulted from the work of its committees, tapping into the influence and expertise within the local business community to get things done and to generate new ideas. The Chamber’s committees have come and gone, some dissolving with their mandate complete, others spinning off from The Chamber as their mandates evolved. In fact, all of the following had their origins with The Chamber:
“The Chamber and its committees will continue its long history as the voice of business in Greater Victoria.”
“Our people have the expertise and influence to identify what needs to be done, and get those wheels in motion.” |
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Ambassador Committee
This dedicated team of Chamber members from various professional backgrounds fosters meaningful participation and connection-building as a way of increasing member engagement.
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This dedicated team of Chamber members from various professional backgrounds fosters meaningful participation and connection-building as a way of increasing member engagement.
- Chair: Rose Arsenault, Branch Manager, Agilus Work Solutions
- Vice Chair: Andrew Peebles, Senior Business Consultant, BAASS Business Solutions
- Staff: Ashley McCartie, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Emara Angus, Education Specialist, Royal Roads University
- Patricia Mamic, Public and Government Affairs Director, The Salvation Army
- Richard Michaels, president, MACCRIM Solutions
- Danielle Mulligan, Annual Giving Officer, University of Victoria
- Mary Lou Newbold, CEO, Mayfair Optometric Clinic
- Dana G. Quantz, lawyer, Hutchison Oss-Cech Marlatt
- Tereza Ticha, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
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Finance and Audit Committee
Advises The Chamber's Board of Directors on financial and audit issues to ensure Chamber finances are run in a professional and transparent manner.
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Advises The Chamber's Board of Directors on financial and audit issues to ensure Chamber finances are run in a professional and transparent manner.
- Chair: Moira Hauk, Regional Manager (South Vancouver Island), Coastal Community Credit Union
- Staff: Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman
- James Adams, Destination Greater Victoria
- Judith Ethier, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Simon Miller, Commercial Account Manager, RBC
- Cameron Reid, H2 Accelerator
- John Wilson, CEO and Co-owner, Wilson's Group of Companies
- Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
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Executive and Governance Committee
Acts on behalf of the board between board meetings, monitors board development, reviews The Chamber's bylaws and acts as a nominating committee for external appointments. To contact or learn more about the Executive and Governance Committee, please email The Chamber CEO Bruce Williams.
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Acts on behalf of the board between board meetings, monitors board development, reviews The Chamber's bylaws and acts as a nominating committee for external appointments. To contact or learn more about the Executive and Governance Committee, please email The Chamber CEO Bruce Williams.
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Public Policy and Advocacy Committee
Identifies The Chamber's annual advocacy priorities for business and meets with community leaders to advance those priorities on behalf of members.
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Identifies The Chamber's annual advocacy priorities for business and meets with community leaders to advance those priorities on behalf of members.
- Chair: Kris Wirk, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
- Vice Chair: Christina Clarke, CEO, Songhees Development Corp.
- Vice Chair: Charlotte Salomon, Senior Partner, McConnan, Bion, O'Connor & Peterson
- Staff: Jim Zeeben, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Frank Bourree, Owner of Bourree and Associates
- Jeff Bray, Executive Director, Downtown Victoria Business Association
- Judith Ethier, CAO, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Lise Gyorkos, President, Page One Publishing
- Al Hasham, President and CEO, Maximum Express Courier & Freight
- Moira Hauk, Regional Manager (South Vancouver Island), Coastal Community Credit Union
- Gary Hollick, Sales Manager, Print & Digital, Times Colonist
- Chris Horbachewski, Vice-President External Relations, University of Victoria
- Captain (Navy) J. Jeffery Hutchinson , Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt
- Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
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Prodigy Group Committee
Provides an opportunity for emerging professionals to develop leadership skills, connect with peers, and gain community project experience.
Provides an opportunity for emerging professionals to develop leadership skills, connect with peers, and gain community project experience.
- Chair: Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
- Vice Chair & Secretary: Josue Dubon, Fernhill Financial Corporation
- Treasurer: Simon Miller, Commercial Account Manager, RBC
- Board Liaison: Pedro Márquez, Vice President Global, Marketing and Business Development, Royal Roads University
- Rose Arsenault, Branch Manager, Agilus Work Solutions
- James Gatsi, CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
- Staff: Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman
- Past Chair: Raul Caballero, Owner, Oui Jewellery
- Rebekah Hutchinson, Partner, Liquid Capital West Coast Financing
- Frumsa Ibrahim, Senior Operations Manager, Securiguard Services Inc.
- Corinne Thiessen, Senior Advisor, External Stakeholder Engagement at BCI
Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advancement (IDEA) Committee
Offers advice and guidance to The Chamber to create a more inclusive and welcoming business community that truly represents the diversity of the Greater Victoria business community we aspire to have.
Offers advice and guidance to The Chamber to create a more inclusive and welcoming business community that truly represents the diversity of the Greater Victoria business community we aspire to have.
- Chair: Richard Michaels, president, MACCRIM Solutions
- James Gatsi, CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
- Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO, Western Design+Build
- Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
- Paulina Grainger, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
- Pedro Márquez, Vice President Global, Marketing and Business Development, Royal Roads University
- Rudy Tomazic, Owner, Friends of Dorothy
- Wendy Cox, Executive Director, Disability Resource Centre
- Casey Edmunds, Executive Director, La Société francophone de Victoria
Indigenous Economic Reconciliation Table
Offers advice and guidance to The Chamber to provide a voice to Indigenous businesses, First Nations and Indigenous non-profit organizations in order to foster economic reconciliation for the Indigenous community using business-to-business connections and advocacy.
(Table being created in 2022)
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Offers advice and guidance to The Chamber to provide a voice to Indigenous businesses, First Nations and Indigenous non-profit organizations in order to foster economic reconciliation for the Indigenous community using business-to-business connections and advocacy.
(Table being created in 2022)
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