VICTORIA, BC – Mandy Farmer is the recipient of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Award of Distinction.

The President and CEO of Accent Inns and Hotel Zed, Farmer was nominated for being a visionary who is passionate about her employees, embraces an inclusive workplace and is “just a super-nice, down-to-earth person.”

The Award of Distinction highlights a businessperson who has contributed to Greater Victoria through leadership and vision as a positive role model and a sustained commitment to a prosperous community. An independent panel of prominent business leaders serve as judges.

“Mandy is a great representative of all the things this award stands for,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The judges had to make a difficult decision with a number of highly qualified nominees, but I think everyone can agree that Mandy is an excellent choice and has been truly inspirational for so many of her peers in Greater Victoria’s business community.”

Farmer leads a family business that operates five Accent Inns throughout B.C., as well as Hotel Zed accommodations in Victoria, Kelowna and Tofino. A 2020 winner of RBC's Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award, Farmer has been an Hon. Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy and has served on a number of boards and committees. Her authentic approach with customers and staff over the course of the pandemic has resonated throughout the community and across industries.

“Being recognized by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce as having a positive influence in our community means so much to me as a third-generation family business owner,” Farmer said. “I believe employers have a responsibility to take care of our people and the communities within which we work. Our purpose at Accent Inns and Hotel Zed is to Lead with Love to Radically Enrich Lives. This means that we focus on making sure our team is happy and healthy, and that love extends to our communities. Thank you for this incredible honour. I share it with my team.”

The Chamber's Award of Distinction, sponsored by the Times Colonist, will be officially celebrated at the 2023 Greater Victoria Business Awards, which feature 14 categories recognizing organizations that have distinguished themselves through excellent customer service, innovation and sustainable business practices.

In November 2022, Ann Squires Ferguson was announced as Chamber Member of the Year for 2023.

The Chamber's 2023 Business Awards will be held in May at the Fairmont Empress. The event will also be broadcast on CHEK TV. Nominations are open until Jan. 18.
The 2023 Greater Victoria Business Awards are sponsored by Coast Capital Savings, Royal Roads University, Times Colonist, Air Canada, BCLC, Camosun College, Canadian Tire, Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, City of Victoria, Futurpreneur, Grant Thornton, Innvo8 Digital Solutions Inc., Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, PARC Retirement Living, CHEK, and The Number Creative. 
 
About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Megson FitzPatrick (soon to be Acera Insurance), Berwick Retirement Companies, BC Ferries, Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Cold Star Solutions, H2 Accelerator, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan, TELUS Business, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at: victoriachamber.ca.
 
Media Contact: 
Jim Zeeben, Policy and Strategic Communications
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 
250 360-3471 | communications@victoriachamber.ca

VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2023 Board of Directors.

Kris Wirk, with Dusanj + Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants, will take on the role of Board Chair, while Christina Clarke from the Indigenous Prosperity Centre becomes the new Vice-Chair. After serving for the past three years as Chair, John Wilson assumes the role of Past Chair.

The Chamber’s 2023 board consists of established and emerging business and community leaders who will work with Chamber committees and staff. Board members are elected for two-year terms, and there were six positions up for election for 2023. Voting was from Sept. 8 to Oct. 6.

The Chamber’s mission is to serve Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking events, professional development and other unique activities. The Chamber’s vision is to become the region’s most diverse and influential business association. Find out more at VictoriaChamber.ca.

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2023 Board of Directors

• Chair: Kris Wirk, Partner, Dusanj + Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants
• Vice-Chair: Christina Clarke, Executive Director, Indigenous Prosperity Centre
• Past Chair: John Wilson, CEO, Wilson’s Group of Companies
• Secretary: James Gatsi, Founder and CEO, CL Web Developers Inc.
• Treasurer: Moira Hauk, Regional Manager South Island, Coastal Community Credit Union
• Rose Arsenault, Branch Manager, Agilus Work Solutions
• Judith Ethier, Chief Administrative Officer, Greater Victoria Harbour Authority
• Fallon Lindsay, Director of Finance and Administration, Kinetic Construction
• Pedro Marquez, Vice-President, Research and International at Royal Roads University
  
• Richard Michaels, President, Maccrim Solutions
• Ann Squires Ferguson, CEO, Western Interior Design Group
  
• Jessica Stigant, Associate Director of Government Relations and Partnerships, Ocean Networks Canada
• Capt. (N) Jeff Hutchinson, Base Commander, CFB Esquimalt
• Josue Dubon, DesignWealth, Co-Founder & Wealth Mentor; Incoming Chair, Emerge Committee (ex-officio)
• Bruce Williams, CEO, The Chamber (ex-officio)
  

 
“Chamber members and Greater Victoria’s business community will be well served by the stability, expertise and leadership experience that the 2023 board of directors brings to the table,” incoming Chamber Chair Kris Wirk said. “Our previous chair, John Wilson, did a remarkable job of guiding the organization through the pandemic. I’m excited about getting to work and helping The Chamber achieve our vision for 2023.”

“Kris will be a dynamic chair and I am ready to support him in any way he needs,” Past Chamber Chair John Wilson said. “It has been nothing if not a memorable three years dealing with the challenges of the pandemic. We have come through this stronger than ever and we are prepared for any challenge that comes our way.”
 
About Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Since 1863, The Chamber has served Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community for all through advocacy, networking, professional development and innovative services as changing times require. In 2020, the Chamber Champions initiative added a powerful resource to provide leadership and guidance to our organization. Current Champions are: Megson FitzPatrick (soon to be Acera Insurance), Berwick Retirement Companies, BC Ferries, Big Wheel Burger, CHEK News, CIBC, Cold Star Solutions, H2 Accelerator, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, MNP, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan, TELUS Business, and the University of Victoria. Find out more at: victoriachamber.ca.

Media Contact: 
Jim Zeeben, Policy and Strategic Communications
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 
250 360-3471 | communications@victoriachamber.ca