Board

2025 Board of Directors

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors represent all facets of Chamber membership. There are 11 elected and three appointed — two of which are non-voting: The Chamber CEO and an Emerge Committee representative.

The influential board works with decision-makers at all levels of government over the year to support our region’s business interests as well as maximize the value of membership with The Chamber. To view minutes from the Greater Victoria Chamber’s Board of Directors meetings, click here .

Executive

Christina Clarke • Chair • South Island Prosperity Partnership
James Gatsi • Vice-Chair • TecNet Canada
Josue Dubon • Secretary • DesignWealth
Spencer Walker • Treasurer • CIBC
Kris Wirk • Past Chair • Dusanj + Wirk CPA
Mary Lou Newbold • Member at Large • Mayfair Optometric

Directors

Ashka Wirk • Director • Wirk Consulting
Corey Gillon • Director • Peninsula Co-op
Elizabeth Brown • Director • Victoria Airport Authority
Jessica Stigant • Director • Ocean Networks Canada
Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside • Director • CFB Esquimalt
Rose Arsenault • Director • Agilus Work Solutions

Non-Voting

Bruce Williams • Chamber CEO
Frumsa Ibrahim • Director (Chair of Emerge Committee) • Scandinavian Building Services

2025 Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Board

Find out more about each Board Member by clicking their name.

Christina Clarke • Vice-Chair

Christina Clarke is the Executive Director of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, and the former CEO of the Songhees Development Corporation for the Songhees Nation. She started with the Nation in 1995 after graduating from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts in Canadian History and Anthropology.

Christina leads implementation of the First Nations Fiscal Management Act for Songhees Nation, helping to achieve the first FMA laws in Canada and first debenture bond issue by the First Nations Finance Authority. Christina has represented Songhees Nation as a board member of the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and the South Island Prosperity Partnership and on the Mayor’s Task Force on Social Procurement and Social Enterprise for the City of Victoria. She is The Chamber’s nominee for the Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society. Christina’s second proudest achievement is her contribution to the planning and financing of the award-winning Songhees Wellness Centre. Christina’s proudest moments are with her daughter Katie. Christina also chairs The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Christina has served on the The Chamber’s Board since 2018.

James Gatsi • Vice-Chair

James Gatsi is a dynamic entrepreneur and skilled IT professional, renowned for his dedication and passion in the digital technology sector. As the Business Development Manager for Tecnet Canada, and former CEO of CL Web Developers Inc., he has steered these businesses to continue to be trusted digital partners for small and medium businesses in Victoria and beyond.

Understanding the challenges of entrepreneurship, James empathizes with the diverse difficulties business owners face. He is committed to fostering a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive business environment in Victoria. His role as a board member reflects his dedication to promoting initiatives that advance these values within the business community.

Furthermore, James brings his forward-thinking approach to his role as a board member of the University of Victoria Alumni Association. In this capacity, he actively contributes to the institution, a place that has significantly shaped his educational and professional endeavors.

James has served on the Chamber Board since 2022. He serves as the Board Vice-Chair, Chair of the Policy and Advocacy Committee and is Vice-Chair of the IDEA Committee.

Kris Wirk • Past-Chair

Kris is a partner with the accounting firm Dusanj & Wirk Chartered Professional Accountants.

Kris brings over 15 years experience in providing accounting and tax services for owner-managed businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations.

Kris is a former lecturer for the CPA School of Business and treasurer for the Victoria Prostate Centre. Kris began serving on The Chamber’s Board in 2016 and continues to serve on the Executive and Governance, and Policy and Advocacy Committees.

Spencer Walker • Treasurer

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.

Josue Dubon • Secretary

Josue Dubon is a Co-Founder and Wealth Mentor at DesignWealth, a financial coaching service that focuses on human behaviours and accountability as individuals work towards their life and financial goals.

DesignWealth was inspired by the principle that those who want to become better versions of themselves should have access to the advice to move up and onward. Josue enjoys seeing people continuously improve their position as they navigate the hurdles life throws. Josue graduated with a double major from the I.H. Asper School of Business at the University of Manitoba and has been serving clients as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Josue is a Member of Advocis, an association of professional financial advisors in Canada that continuously strives to improve the financial aptitude of the industry. He loves to take his knowledge to the classroom where he volunteers with Junior Achievement British Columbia as a Program Facilitator to help improve the financial literacy of students.

Josue joined the Board in 2023. He is serving as the Secretary, Chair of the Ambassador Committee, and sits on the Finance Committee.

Mary Lou Newbold • Executive Member at Large

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.

Mary Lou began her term on the Board in 2025, is a Member at Large on the Executive Committee and serves on the Emerge Committee.

Ashka Wirk • Director

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.

Ashka started her term with the Board in 2025 and serves on the Emerge and Public Policy and Advocacy Committees.

Corey Gillon • Director

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.

Corey started his term on the Board in 2025 and serves as Vice-Chair on the Finance and Audit Committee.

Elizabeth Brown • Director

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.

Elizabeth began her term on the Board in 2025. She sits on the IDEA and Public Policy and Advocacy Committees.

Frumsa Ibrahim • Director

Frumsa is the Regional Director of Operations for Scandinavian Building Services. Skilled in operations management, customer services, training, client relations, and account management. Frumsa is a passionate and experienced leader who excels at motivating, coaching, and building successful and profitable teams.

Born in Oromia, Frumsa was five when he moved with his family to the Fraser Valley. Drawing from personal experiences, Frumsa firmly believes in fostering a welcoming environment where diversity thrives, and every individual’s story is celebrated.

He joined The Chamber to meet like-minded people and his experiences led him to getting further involved, including serving as Chair of the Emerge Committee. Frumsa is excited at the opportunity to give back to the local community.

Frumsa joined The Chamber Board as a non-voting member in 2024.

Jessica Stigant • Director

Jessica Stigant joined the University of Victoria’s world-leading, Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) in 2012. As the Director External Relations, she is responsible for building strategic relationships that expand ONC’s global presence, engaging with local, national, and international partners.

Jessica moved to Victoria as a child from Winnipeg. She briefly stepped off the Island to pursue her love of the culinary arts. Before coming to ONC, Jessica worked as the Marketing and Communications Manager for Berwick Retirement Communities, cultivating Berwick’s ‘vibrant living’ vision.

Given the world’s climate crisis, Jessica is excited about the ONC-led project Solid Carbon, a global climate mitigation solution that can help meet planetary climate targets. Jessica is leading the Investor Acceptance aspect of this international, leading-edge initiative.

Jessica was elected to The Chamber Board in 2022, and also serves as the Chair of the IDEA Committee and sits on the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside • Director

Captain(N) Kevin Whiteside became Commander of Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in July 2023.

Kevin is the father of three awesome children, and married to his life partner, Lesley Whiteside, an elementary school teacher in Victoria, BC. Joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998, Kevin’s operational experiences span the globe and many of the missions in which the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) participate. Amongst his various operational and strategic level roles, Kevin was Executive Assistant to the 35th and 36th Commanders of the RCN (January 2019 – December 2020), and most recently he served as Commanding Officer, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver (January 2021- February 2023). Kevin’s amazing family have been active members of the Greater Victoria community for over 15 years. They look forward to furthering their involvement and strengthening their relationships with the community as they enter this next stage of their journey.

As with previous CFB Esquimalt Base Commanders, The Chamber appointed Capt.(N) Whiteside to its Board of Directors. He also serves on The Chamber’s Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Rose Arsenault • Director

Rose is Branch Manager at Agilus Work Solutions, where she has been advising public and private employers on their recruiting and human resource needs since 1997.

Rose, who was awarded the Chamber Member of the Year in 2019, has been an active member of The Chamber since 2007. She has spent countless hours as a board and committee member — most recently, as an Ambassador providing outreach and assistance to new members.

Rose rejoined The Chamber’s Board in 2019. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the Ambassador Committee.