Board of Directors Election
The nominations are in, and the excitement is building! It’s time to help shape the future of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce by voting in this year’s Board of Directors election.
Get to know the 14 candidates who have stepped forward to represent our members. Explore their bios online, and meet them in person at our September Mixer at Victoria Harbour by Chartwell.
This is your opportunity to learn more, get involved, and make your voice count. For a general overview of the board election, including key dates and procedures, click here.
Ballots will be sent early-September. Don’t miss your chance to vote — the ballot deadline is noon on Thursday, October 1.
2027-2028 Candidates
Find out more about each candidate by clicking their name.
Amir Shojaei
Amir Shojaei is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, senior public servant, and executive leader with extensive experience in public administration, infrastructure, facilities, fleet management, safety, security, and risk management. He currently serves as Director of Facilities, Safety, Security & Risk Management with the Greater Victoria Public Library.
His career includes senior public service experience with the Government of Canada, particularly within the Public Safety portfolio and the Department of National Defence. He has represented the Crown in negotiations with First Nations across Canada and has been involved in major capital construction approvals, public-private partnership (P3) initiatives, infrastructure and fleet programs, and complex project implementation. His work has required regular engagement with federal, provincial, and municipal governments, boards, committees, and community stakeholders.
Fluent in five languages, Amir is seeking election to the Chamber Board to bring a practical voice on advocacy, economic development, governance, and major community priorities. He is also a proud husband and father of two daughters, committed to building a stronger community for future generations.
Ashka Wirk
Ashka Wirk, BSc, MBA, CMC, ACC is the Principal of Wirk Consulting.
Ashka is seeking re-election for a second term on the Chamber so she can continue to serve our local business community at this important time.
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.
Ashka has consulted to and served on numerous boards. Wirk Consulting is a proud Chamber member.
Athena McLash
Athena McLash is a business lawyer, entrepreneur, and former law firm principal with more than 20 years of experience advising entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizations across British Columbia. As founder of McLash Law Corporation, she built and led a successful law practice, gaining firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing small and mid-sized businesses. In her current role with Reed Pope Law Corporation, she advises clients on business succession, complex estate planning, real estate, and family enterprise matters, bringing practical experience in strategic planning, risk management, and organizational leadership.
Her board and committee service includes Community Futures Sunshine Coast and the Christ Church Cathedral Educational Society, where she contributed to strategic direction, financial oversight, entrepreneurship initiatives, and community economic development.
Guided by a commitment to public service, mentorship, and stewardship, Athena believes strong communities are built by engaged business leaders. She brings an entrepreneurial perspective, sound judgment, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing local businesses, together with a strong commitment to supporting a vibrant and prosperous Greater Victoria economy.
Carolina Ibarra
Carolina Ibarra is CEO of Pacifica Housing, one of Vancouver Island’s largest non-profit housing
providers, where she has led organizational growth, new housing development and expanded service
delivery since 2020. She brings professional experience spanning private and non-profit sectors; as
well as private, public and non profit collaborations.
Carolina has a demonstrated history of transforming organizations and supporting community. Carolina
facilitates the Vancouver Island Housing Leadership Network and is Vice-Chair of the BC Coalition for
Safe and Sustainable Supportive Housing for Vancouver Island. Under her leadership, Pacifica Housing
was named the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Community Builder of the Year.
Carolina’s work aligns directly with the Chamber’s priorities: housing, safer communities, and ensuring
public investments deliver effective results. She seeks to join the Chamber Board to contribute her
experience to these shared goals and to help strengthen Greater Victoria’s communities and its
economy.
Elizabeth Brown
Elizabeth Brown is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria Airport Authority, a role she assumed in 2023. She brings more than 20 years of experience in airport management, aviation strategy and commercial development across North America, the Caribbean and Europe. Her expertise spans airport operations, air service development, marketing and organizational leadership.
Elizabeth previously held senior executive roles in U.S. airport management and Chief Commercial Officer positions at San Diego’s Cross Border Xpress, the world’s first cross-border airport terminal, and in Montego Bay, Jamaica. There, she managed a US$40-million commercial program within a fully privatized concession model and led the entry of airlines including JetBlue, WestJet, Southwest and TUI.
Fluent in English, French and Spanish, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in World Affairs from Trinity University. Today, she leads Victoria International Airport’s strategic direction and long-term development, focusing on safety, sustainability and regional economic impact.
Jamie Sawchuk
Jamie Sawchuk is a senior partner with Deloitte Canada and was the founding partner of Deloitte in Victoria. Jamie has worked with the Victoria community to build Deloitte from the ground up, hiring talent, securing office space, and building a successful business in our community. Today he advises organizations on AI-enabled transformation, innovation, technology strategy, and economic development. He has spent more than 20 years serving the Victoria community, helping public and private sector organizations navigate complex change, strengthen competitiveness, and create long-term value.
Throughout his career, Jamie has built strong relationships across business, government, Indigenous communities, and the not-for-profit sector, earning a reputation as a collaborative leader and trusted advisor. He is passionate about fostering innovation, supporting local business growth, and advancing initiatives that contribute to a prosperous and sustainable regional economy.
Jamie is working with the City of Victoria and other cities in BC to address street disorder, secure infrastructure funding, and accelerate development approval and permitting. Jamie also co-authored BC’s Innovation Strategy with the BC Innovation Commissioner and is working with our energy, resource, and defence organizations to scale investment in our province.
Jasmine Hyt-Fields
Jasmine Hyt-Fields is the Founder of House of Resonance™, where she works with founders, executives, and business owners to strengthen leadership, decision-making, visibility, and sustainable growth. With a background in marketing, communications, publishing, and international business, she combines strategic thinking with leadership development to help leaders navigate growth with clarity, resilience, and integrity. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and a Master’s degree in Near and Middle Eastern Studies and has spent her career building businesses, mentoring entrepreneurs, and contributing to leadership communities across cultures. Having made Victoria her home six years ago, she is passionate about fostering diversity, inclusion, and meaningful representation across the business community. She is seeking to serve on the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board to contribute strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and an international perspective while ensuring founders, established businesses, and emerging entrepreneurs alike feel heard, valued, and connected.
Kenneth Chiu
Kenneth Chiu is a seasoned banking and business leader with more than 16 years of experience helping businesses grow, invest, and succeed. As Market Vice President with Scotiabank, he leads commercial banking teams serving clients across Vancouver Island and BC, drawing on extensive experience in relationship management, organizational leadership, and strategic transformation.
Kenneth earned his Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction from UVIC and is proud to have built both his career and community connections that started in Greater Victoria. He has spent much of his professional life partnering with business owners alongside community leaders to support economic growth and strengthen the region’s business ecosystem.
Kenneth is seeking to serve on the Board to give back to the community that has played such an important role in his personal and professional journey. He is passionate about supporting a vibrant business environment, fostering meaningful connections, and helping ensure Greater Victoria remains one of Canada’s best places to live, work, and do business.
Mary Lou Newbold
Mary Lou Newbold is the co-owner and Chief Eye Care Officer (CEO) of Mayfair Optometric Clinic and was honoured as the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year in 2022. A passionate advocate for locally owned businesses, she has been actively involved with the Chamber since 2017 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee, a member of the Executive & Governance Committee, and Board Liaison to the Emerge Committee. Mary Lou is also a Board Director with Power To Be and Pawsabilities Service Dog Society, and Past President of Think Local First Society.
With extensive leadership experience in healthcare, retail, and governance, Mary Lou is committed to ensuring the Chamber remains a strong voice for local business. She believes Chamber membership is one of the most valuable investments an organization can make and is dedicated to fostering collaboration, supporting independent businesses, and strengthening Greater Victoria’s business community.
Navid Sariolghalam
Navid Sariolghalam is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than four decades of experience and currently serves as Managing Director and General Manager of the Inn at Laurel Point. His career spans senior leadership roles across Canada, including Vice President of The Sutton Place Hotels, with a strong focus on business strategy, operational excellence, people development, and community impact.
Since relocating to Victoria, Navid has quickly become an active and engaged member of the city’s business and tourism community. He contributes his leadership and industry perspective through a number of local and provincial boards, committees, and professional organizations, with a particular focus on tourism, destination development, transportation, and community partnerships. He was recently elected to the Destination Greater Victoria Board of Directors for 2026.
Navid is seeking to serve on the Chamber Board to bring a fresh perspective, strengthen collaboration across industries, and help advance a resilient, innovative, and thriving business community in Victoria.
Pedro Marquez
Dr. Pedro Marquez is a Full Professor in Strategic Management and International Business at Royal Roads University, where he served as VP-Research and International (2015-2023) and Dean of the Faculty of Management (2007-2015). He is a member of the Chartered Governance Institute of Canada, and obtained the prestigious ICD-D Corporate Governance Designation. He has co-authored book chapters, journal articles and teaching cases on topics related to North America free trade, family business management. His current research is focused on non-profit corporate governance and accountability, Mexico-Canada trade, and business ethics.
Marquez has remained uninterruptedly involved with economic development agencies, serving as Board Member for the GVCC, VIEA, SIPP, and the Westshore Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the Board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters for Greater Victoria Region, and as Vice chair of the Vancouver Island Hispanic Network Society. He obtained Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the University of Calgary and a Licenciatura en Administracion at ITAM in Mexico City.
Shaun Cerisano
Shaun Cerisano, Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships at Beacon Community Services, brings executive leadership experience from both the corporate and non-profit sectors, including roles with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Flight Centre, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Heart & Stroke. Deeply committed to community leadership, Shaun previously served as Chair of Prodigy Group (now Emerge) and acted as a de facto board member in 2018. During his impactful tenure, he successfully founded and led TP the Town, a community initiative that collected hundreds of thousands of rolls of toilet paper for the Mustard Seed. He also proudly volunteers his time as head coach of a championship-winning U13 boys basketball team in Victoria. Shaun is seeking election to the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board to foster strategic win-win partnerships between businesses and non-profits, helping position Victoria and the Chamber as a national leader in innovative business and community collaboration.
Spencer Walker
Born and raised in Victoria, Spencer Walker is deeply committed to the success of the local business community and the long-term prosperity of the region.
Spencer currently serves on the Board of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce as Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, and as a member of the Executive and Policy Committees. He is also the Chamber’s appointee to the Destination Greater Victoria Board and its Finance and Membership Committee.
Since joining CIBC in 2011, Spencer has built extensive experience in commercial banking and now leads Commercial Banking for Vancouver Island. He works with businesses ranging from startups to public issuers across sectors including technology, retail, manufacturing, professional services, not-for-profit, tourism, and wholesale. This broad experience gives him valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing local employers and entrepreneurs.
Spencer is seeking the opportunity to continue serving on the Board and to support the Chamber’s work in advancing advocacy, sound governance, and sustainable economic growth for Greater Victoria.