Annual Board Election

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Election for the 2025 – 2026 Board

Each fall, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce holds an election for new board members. Each board member is elected for a two-year term with staggered renewal dates. This year we are seeking nominations to elect five (5) board members.

The Chamber board works with decision-makers at all levels of government to support our region’s business interests as well as maximize the value of membership with The Chamber.

Election ballots will be emailed to the main contact of all member organizations on Thursday, September 5. The Chamber uses a weighted voting system, based on each member business’s number of employees. Voting will close at 12:00pm Thursday, October 3.

Nominations are now closed. View 2025-2026 Board Nominees below.

Current Chamber Board of Directors

2025 – 2026 Board Nominees

Ashka Wirk
Wirk Consulting

Ashka Wirk, BSc, MBA, CMC, ACC is the Principal of Wirk Consulting.

Ashka is a seasoned private sector leader. She began her career as head of Business Development with an Okanagan biotechnology firm. She was then the CEO of the healthcare association management arm of Vancouver’s StemCell Technologies, the largest biotechnology company in Canada.

As a management consultant and executive coach for the last ten years, Ashka has provided strategy support to nearly every BC ministry; to not-for profit organizations in Victoria and across Canada; and to small and medium-sized private sector businesses to improve their organizational performance. She has a particular focus on helping founders create tailored succession plans to ensure their businesses thrive beyond the founding generation.

Ashka has consulted to and served on numerous boards. Wirk Consulting is a proud Chamber member.

Corey Gillon
Peninsula Co-op

Corey Gillon is an accomplished CEO with extensive experience in Fortune 100 companies and start-ups. He spent 18 years at Walmart Canada, where he held corporate executive roles, including Vice President and Global Officer, managing a $7 billion business unit and leading M&A initiatives in South Africa. Corey also served as Senior Vice President at Aritzia, driving the company’s retail expansion into the USA.

Corey is the current CEO of Peninsula Co-op, a Vancouver Island retailer with over $300 million in sales. Under his leadership, the company won the 2024 Outstanding Workplace of the Year Award from The Victoria Chamber of Commerce. Corey aims to join the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce board to broaden Peninsula Co-op’s community impact and support its mission of building good business and a great community.

Danielle Mulligan
Victoria Hospitals Foundation

Danielle is a dynamic and passionate fundraiser who brings a blend of creativity and enthusiasm to philanthropy. With over 10 years experience helping businesses and organizations reach their community impact goals, she understands the essential role they play in creating positive change. Her experience working with individuals facing health, social, and economic challenges has fueled her commitment to creating opportunities that empower both people and communities to reach their full potential.

Danielle believes in the importance of all causes and the power of engaged citizens in building strong, healthy communities. In her spare time, she is a leadership volunteer for the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Danielle is deeply grateful for the privilege to live, work, and raise a family in the beautiful lək̓ʷəŋən territory.

Elizabeth M. Brown
Victoria Airport Authority

Elizabeth M. Brown was appointed President and CEO of VAA in September 2023, returning home to Victoria after 16 years working abroad.

Prior to joining VAA, Elizabeth was President at TBI US Airports, the organization responsible for the operation of the Orlando Sanford International Airport. She was responsible for the delivery of a 20-year contract for Sanford Airport Authority to manage and operate airport terminals, ramp control and parking.

As a tri-lingual executive she has extensive international experience and background in airport business development. As Chief Commercial Officer at the unique Cross Border Xpress, she developed an airport check-in facility/border crossing between San Diego, California and the Tijuana International Airport. Ms. Brown also served as CCO with Vantage Airport Group, had oversight of a US$45 million revenue program for the Montego Bay International Airport, Jamaica.

Kara Udell
Oak Bay Volunteer Services

Kara is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience serving nonprofit organizations. Throughout her career she has worked in complex care, community outreach and community development. In recent years, Kara has leaned on her academic background in counseling and Masters in Leadership to focus on executive leadership roles, leveraging her community development and systems thinking expertise.

She is passionate about community leadership, systems thinking, and driving community action to address global challenges. Kara is comfortable with financial management and policy development and has a keen interest in using her abilities to create positive societal change. When she’s not busy serving as Executive Director for OBVS, a proud Chamber member, Kara can be found exploring local trails, cheering on the HarbourCats and PFC, and enjoying quality time with her loved ones.

Mary Lou Newbold
Mayfair Optometric Clinic

Mary Lou Newbold is the co-owner of Mayfair Optometric Clinic and was named Chamber Member of the Year 2022. She is a passionate advocate for locally owned business and brings a strong background in community support. Often seen at Chamber Mixers, breakfasts and special events, she has served on the Ambassador Committee since 2017, is the current President of Think Local First Society and contributes to several non profits both in time and financial support.

Small and medium sized businesses are navigating challenges daily. As a Board member she will bring the voice of allied health, retail and independent business to conversations. One of the most valuable tools any business can have is membership in the Chamber and her experience on various boards and committees through her career will add depth to her contributions.

Richard Michaels
MACCRIM Solutions

Richard Michaels is the president of MACCRIM Solutions, a land development consultant company, specializing in assisting investors, developers and landowners to facilitate and create a vision of well-planned, sustainable, land-use developments. Richard is a collaborative facilitator, providing essential information and detailed initiative support that enables his client’s to position their strategies congruent with sustainable land-use development and redevelopment projects, with smart growth potential.

Richard contributes his time to a number of community organizations. Currently, he is serving as chair of the Vancouver Island Better Business Bureau, President of the Victoria HarbourCats Foundation, a Commodore at the Vancouver Island International Rotary Yachting Club. He is also a member of the Victoria Inter-Cultural Association, the Urban Development Institute and the District of Saanich’s Economic Development Committee.

Richard began serving on The Chamber’s Board in 2021.

Spencer Walker
CIBC

Born and raised in Victoria, Spencer Walker is fortunate in developing experiences locally. He is proud to serve as the Chamber’s appointee on the Destination Greater Victoria Board, as well as with the Chamber’s Finance and Audit Committee in addition work with youth financial literacy in Junior Achievement.

Spencer has been with CIBC since 2011, currently leading the Vancouver Island Commercial Banking serving our broad from start-up to public issuer including industries as tech, retail, manufacturing, professional services, not-for-profit, tourism, and wholesalers providing a unique cross industry perspective to bring to the Chamber board.

Spencer is looking forward to engaging with the Board and continuing to give back to the community by contributing to ongoing economic and social prosperity.