New year, new Board of Directors for Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce

VICTORIA, BC – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its 2025 Board of Directors. Joining the board for their first term, effective Jan. 1, are Ashka Wirk, Principal of Wirk Consulting; Corey Gillon, CEO of Peninsula Co-op; Elizabeth M. Brown, President and CEO of the Victoria Airport Authority; Mary Lou Newbold, Chief Eyewear Officer of Mayfair Optometric Clinic; and Spencer Walker, Director and Team Lead CIBC Commercial Banking.

Christina Clarke, Executive Director of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, takes on the role of Board Chair, while James Gatsi, Business Development Manager with Tecnet, becomes the new Vice-Chair. Kris Wirk, Partner at Dusanj and Wirk, assumes the role of Past Chair after serving for two years as Chair.
“Christina adds a thoughtful and well-informed perspective that will help the business community thrive in Greater Victoria,” Past Chamber Chair Kris Wirk said. “She and the Board have my full support as they write the next chapter in The Chamber’s long and storied history.”

The Chamber’s 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 five positions up for election for 2025.

“Greater Victoria’s business community is exceptionally well-represented on the 2025 Chamber Board of Directors and I’m excited to continue our work — building good business and great community,” incoming Chamber Chair Christina Clarke said. “I’d like to thank Kris for everything he did over the past two years to lead our organization as we adapted and evolved to increase our resiliency during challenging economic times.”

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 2025 Board of Directors

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

 

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: Acera Insurance, BC Ferries, Berwick Retirement Communities, Big Wheel Burger, Canadian Western Bank, Camosun College, CHEK Media Group, CIBC, ColdStar Solutions, Edwards Heritage Consulting, H2 Accelerator, Knappett Projects, Mike Geric Construction, PARC Retirement Living, RBC, Scotiabank, Seaspan Victoria Shipyards, Starlight Developments, Times Colonist, TD Commercial Banking, TELUS Business and the University of Victoria. Find out more at victoriachamber.ca.

Media Contact:
Jim Zeeben, Policy and Strategic Communication
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
250 213-8050 | communications@victoriachamber.ca