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: Heather Williams, CEO, Hi-Rise Advertising
- Staff Liaison: Ashley McCartie, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- 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
- Jack Groucott, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones
- Josue Dubon, Fernhill Financial Corporation
- Maria Camila Valderrama, Lifetime Networks
- Mary Lou Newbold, CEO, Mayfair Optometric Clinic
- Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
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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: Frumsa Ibrahim, Regional Director, Scandinavian Building Services
- Vice-Chair: Carolina Vik, Trademark Agent in Training, Merizzi Ramsbottom & Forster
- Staff Liaison: Ashley McCartie, Sr. Manager, Corporate Strategy, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Busola Fagbebe, Senior Manager Enterprise Risk, MNP LLP
- Corinne Thiessen, Senior Advisor, External Stakeholder Engagement, BCI
- David Eso, Owner, Fine Line Edits
- Henri van Rooy, CPA Candidate, Articling Accountant at MNP LLP
- Henry Tavares de Souza Morato, Business Development Manager, True EV Charging
- Jeff Crone, Owner/Operator, Fig's Mobile Detailing
- Jordan Parker, Education Coordinator, Victoria Brain Injury Society
- Josue Dubon, Partner, DesignWealth
- Julia Barron, Engineer in Training, Gwaii Engineering Ltd.
- Kelly Somogyi, Principal & Architectural Technologist, York Brooks Design
- Mohammed Sulaiman, Royal Roads University
- Nancy Prevost-Maurice, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Framework Developer, Royal Roads University
- Pedro Márquez, Professor Strategic Management & International Business, Royal Roads University
- Rose Arsenault, Branch Manager, Agilus Work Solutions
- Shane Bahmann, Founder, Surf and Stone Studios
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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: Deborah Huelscher, Vice President Administration, CFO, Camosun College
- Staff Liaison: Julia Banks, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Cameron Reid, H2 Accelerator
- James Adams, Destination Greater Victoria
- Josue Dubon, Partner, DesignWealth
- Judith Ethier, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
- Paul van Koll, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
- Simon Miller, Commercial Account Manager, RBC
- Spencer Walker, Director & Team Lead - Commercial Banking, CIBC
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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.
To contact or learn more about the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, please email Jim Zeeben.
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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
- Jason Arruda, Government Relations (British Columbia), CSA Group
- Laura Bolster, Managing Director, Client Experience | Vancouver Island, Acera Insurance
- James Gatsi, Business Development Manager, Tecnet Canada Inc.
- Luis Gutierrez Aguirre, Executive Director of Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre
- Al Hasham, President and CEO, Maximum Express Courier & Freight
- Chris Horbachewski, Vice-President External Relations, University of Victoria
- Tony Joe, Broker-Owner, RE/MAX Island Properties Victoria
- Julie Lawlor, Executive Director, WestShore Chamber of Commerce
- Brenda Ollis, General Manager, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites
- Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
- John Wilson, President and CEO, Wilson's Group of Companies
- Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside, Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt
- Kris Wirk, Partner, Dusanj & Wirk
To contact or learn more about the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, please email Jim Zeeben.
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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.
To contact or learn more about the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advancement Committee, please email Mabel Marin.
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
- Vice Chair: James Gatsi, CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
- Staff Liaison: Mabel Marin, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO, Western Design+Build
- Carlene Thompson, Lifetime Networks
- Casey Edmunds, Executive Director, La Société francophone de Victoria
- Inderbir Singh, Western Canada Security
- Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnership, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC)
- Jessy Drummond, Victoria Digital Marketing
- Jonathan Balogh, Neil Squire Society
- Pedro Márquez, Professor Strategic Management & International Business, Royal Roads University
- Shelly D'Mello, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
- Paulina Grainger, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria
- Kabir Hosein, Sport for Life
To contact or learn more about the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Advancement Committee, please email Mabel Marin.
Family Business Committee
Offers support and guidance to promote the well being and sustainability of family enterprise through idea exchange, education, experiences, peer-to-peer support and practices pertaining to the issues of family-owned businesses.
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Offers support and guidance to promote the well being and sustainability of family enterprise through idea exchange, education, experiences, peer-to-peer support and practices pertaining to the issues of family-owned businesses.
- Chair: Dean Clarke, Senior Partner, Tru Value Foods
- Vice Chair: Hailie Masters, Compass Mobile Massage Therapy Inc.
- Staff Liaison: Julia Banks, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Erin Boggs, Robinson's Outdoor Store
- James McKenzie, Monk Office
- Jennifer Michell, Titan Boats
- John Wilson, Wilson's Group of Companies
- Kris Wirk, Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants
- Mandy Farmer, Accent Inns | Hotel Zed
- Richard Larkin, Clean Air Yard Care
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