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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, 2024 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
- Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO, Western Design+Build
- Emara Angus, Communications Officer, DX, Royal Roads University
- Danielle Mulligan, CFRE (she/her), Manager of Events & Annual Giving, Victoria Hospitals Foundation
- Heather Williams, CEO, Hi-Rise Advertising
- Jack Groucott, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
- Josue Dubon, Fernhill Financial Corporation
- Mary Lou Newbold, CEO, Mayfair Optometric Clinic
- Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
- Richard Michaels, president, MACCRIM Solutions
- Tereza Ticha, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Staff Liaison: Ashley McCartie, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
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Emerge Committee
With a mission to foster authentic connections and a vision to cultivate an inclusive business community full of opportunity, Emerge runs inclusive, casual and fun bimonthly networking events, as well as a mentorship program.
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With a mission to foster authentic connections and a vision to cultivate an inclusive business community full of opportunity, Emerge runs inclusive, casual and fun bimonthly networking events, as well as a mentorship program.
- Chair: Josue Dubon, DesignWealth
- Vice-Chair: Frumsa Ibrahim, Regional Director, Scandinavian Building Services
- Treasurer: Simon Miller, Commercial Account Manager, RBC
- Communications Lead: Corinne Thiessen, Senior Advisor, External Stakeholder Engagement, BCI
- Secretary: Brittany Winters, CEO, Metis Medical Inc.
- Busola Fagbebe, Senior Manager Enterprise Risk, MNP
- Carolina Vik, Trademark Agent in Training, Merizzi Ramsbottom & Forster
- Henry Tavares de Souza Morato, Business Development Manager, True EV Charging
- Jeff Crone, Owner/Operator, Fig's Mobile Detailing
- Julia Barron, Engineer in Training, Gwaii Engineering Ltd.
- Kelly Somogyi, Principal & Architectural Technologist, York Brooks Design
- Mohammed Sulaiman, Royal Roads University
- Shane Bahmann, Founder, Surf and Stone Studios
- Past Chair: Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
- Board Liaison: Pedro Márquez, Professor Strategic Management & International Business, Royal Roads University
- Board Liaison: Rose Arsenault, Branch Manager, Agilus Work Solutions
- Board Liaison: James Gatsi, CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
- Staff Liaison: Ashley McCartie, Sr. Events Manager, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
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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 Liaison: Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- James Adams, Destination Greater Victoria
- Judith Ethier, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Fallon Lindsay, Director of Finance and Administration, Kinetic Construction.
- Simon Miller, Commercial Account Manager, RBC
- Cameron Reid, H2 Accelerator
- Spencer Walker, Director & Team Lead - Commercial Banking, CIBC
- 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: Christina Clarke, CEO, Indigenous Prosperity Centre
- Staff Liaison: Jim Zeeben, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Frank Bourree, Owner of Bourree and Associates
- Jeff Bray, CEO, 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
- Chris Horbachewski, Vice-President External Relations, University of Victoria
- Captain (Navy) J. Jeffery Hutchinson , Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt
- Fallon Lindsay, Director of Finance and Administration, Kinetic Construction.
- Charlotte Salomon, Senior Partner, McConnan, Bion, O'Connor & Peterson
- Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
- John Wilson, President and CEO, The Wilson's Group of Companies
- Kris Wirk, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
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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
- Staff Liaison: Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- 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
- Tony Joe, RE/MAX Island Properties Victoria
- Wendy Cox, Executive Director, Disability Resource Centre
- Casey Edmunds, Executive Director, La Société francophone de Victoria
Family Business Committee
(Pending fall 2023)
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(Pending fall 2023)
- Chair: Dean Clarke, Senior Partner, Tru Value Foods
- Staff Liaison: Cheryl Wirch-Ryckman, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
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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.
Terms of Reference
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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.
Terms of Reference
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