Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon
RCC, PhD, Board Chair
Born and raised in Victoria, Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon is the Director of Academic Leadership Initiatives at the University of Victoria, responsible for the development…
James Darke
CFA, Vice Chair
James is retired from his most recent position of Vice President and Investment Counsellor with PH&N Investment Counsel. He joined PH&N in 1996 and held…
Kyman Chan
FCPA, FCA, Treasurer
Kyman is a chartered professional accountant and senior partner in the Victoria office of Grant Thornton LLP. Kyman was born and raised in Victoria and…
Patrick Kelly
Past Chair
Patrick is a member of the Leq:amel First Nation (Sto:lo Nation.) He operates a private consulting business providing services in economic, community and organizational development,…
Mia Maki
BA, MBA, FCPA, FCMA
Mia is currently a finance professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and also a financial consultant doing work with a variety…
Mary E. Mouat
QC
Mary E. Mouat, QC, graduated from the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law in 1987 and has been a partner with Colin C. Robinson at…
Carey Newman
MSM
An artist with a strong belief in the importance of tradition, Carey is active within the First Nations community and has been given the traditional…
Ian Wong
CPA, CMA
Ian has worked within the Government of British Columbia since 1997 and is currently a Senior Portfolio Manager with the Investment Capital Branch. He is…
Lori Elder
BA, CTM, Dipl.PR
Lori is a communications professional with over 25 years of experience in public relations, project management, and business development in the…
Michael Cridge
CGA, CPA, CFP
Michael is Director & Senior Private Banker with Bank of Montreal’s Private Banking office in Victoria. He joined BMO in 1980 and has held various…
Zaman Velji
MBA, CFA
Professionally, Zaman focuses on the oversight and governance of private company investments in the infrastructure sector for the…
Deirdre Roberts
Honorary Governors President
Deirdre has enjoyed a successful career in radio and television broadcasting that started in London at the BBC and continued at CBC in Vancouver. In…
Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon
RCC, PhD, Board Chair
Born and raised in Victoria, Dr. Grace Wong Sneddon is the Director of Academic Leadership Initiatives at the University of Victoria, responsible for the development and implementation of the professional development for senior leaders. She is also the Adviser to the Provost on Equity and Diversity, tasked with creating a campus-wide culture of respect that values diversity, equity and inclusion. She has an Interdisciplinary PhD in Anthropology and Pacific and Asian Studies and is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Art History and Visual Studies and an associate fellow in the Centre of the Studies of Religion and Society, both at UVic. As part of her commitment to the community she loves, she is vice-chair of the Greater Victoria Eldercare Foundation, treasurer of the Hoy Sun Ning Yung Benevolent Association, member of the Triumf Management Board and Chair of the Victoria Foundation. James Darke
CFA, Vice Chair
James is retired from his most recent position of Vice President and Investment Counsellor with PH&N Investment Counsel. He joined PH&N in 1996 and held a variety of positions within the firm, including being a Partner and being a head of the Victoria office from 2004. Prior to joining PH&N, James spent over 20 years in various management positions within the Canadian banking and trust industries. James joined the Victoria Foundation Investment Committee in 2008. He was raised in Victoria and since returning in 2004 he has been active with a number of local industries, charitable and sports organizations in the community. Kyman Chan
FCPA, FCA, Treasurer
Kyman is a chartered professional accountant and senior partner in the Victoria office of Grant Thornton LLP. Kyman was born and raised in Victoria and has a well-developed sense of community that he demonstrates through his volunteer roles as a board member, committee member, or coach of many local organizations. Kyman also currently serves on the board of governors of St. Michaels University School and is a volunteer coach with Saanich Minor Hockey. His past appointments include board chair of Camosun College, treasurer of the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society, and council member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of BC. Patrick Kelly
Past Chair
Patrick is a member of the Leq:amel First Nation (Sto:lo Nation.) He operates a private consulting business providing services in economic, community and organizational development, governance, planning and management. Patrick is an active community volunteer. In addition to his role with the Victoria Foundation, Patrick is a Governor, Law Foundation of BC; Co-Chair, Banff Centre Indigenous Program Council; International Advisory Board Member, Gustavson School of Business, UVic; Ch’nook Indigenous Advisory Board Member, Sauder School of Business, UBC; and Founding President, BC Aboriginal Golf Association. Patrick has held executive and management roles with the Canadian Executive Service Organization, the Missing Women’s Commission of Inquiry, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and others. Mia Maki
BA, MBA, FCPA, FCMA
Mia is currently a finance professor at the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business and also a financial consultant doing work with a variety of companies and organizations in Victoria and across Canada. She has served on not-for-profit Boards including the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC), Society of Management Accountants (CMA BC and CMA Canada Council of Chairs), Mathematics and Information Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS) Industrial Advisory Board and co-chaired the inaugural YM/YWCA of Victoria Women of Distinction Awards. Mia is very involved in the local community connecting individuals and organizations to improve and support the many initiatives that make Victoria a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. Mary E. Mouat
QC
Mary E. Mouat, QC, graduated from the University of Victoria, Faculty of Law in 1987 and has been a partner with Colin C. Robinson at Quadra Legal Centre in Victoria since August of 1990. Mary practices exclusively in the area of family law. She has been a qualified family mediator since 1996 and a collaborative practitioner for over 10 years. Mary’s volunteer work has included Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre (now Victoria Sexual Assault Centre), Island Sexual Health Society and the Victoria Heritage Foundation. Mary has also been active in the Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, serving as a section chair and an elected representative for Victoria. Mary has served on the board of the Law Courts Education Society (now Justice Education Society), the Law Foundation of British Columbia, including chairing the Foundation in 2009 and 2010, and the BC Hear the Child Society. Mary received a designation as Queen’s Counsel in 2011 and was the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Faculty of Law. Carey Newman
MSM
An artist with a strong belief in the importance of tradition, Carey is active within the First Nations community and has been given the traditional name Ha-yalth-kingeme. Through his work he strives to highlight Indigenous, social and environmental issues. He is also interested in engaging with the community and incorporating socially innovative practice into his artistic process. Carey’s most recent major work, the Witness Blanket, deals with the subject of reconciliation. Made of items collected from residential schools, government buildings and churches across Canada, this 40’ long installation is currently on a 7-year national tour. Carey also serves on the board of Pacific Opera Victoria. Ian Wong
CPA, CMA
Ian has worked within the Government of British Columbia since 1997 and is currently a Senior Portfolio Manager with the Investment Capital Branch. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, as well as holding a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting) and a diploma in Business Administration (Finance). His volunteer work has included being Treasurer for the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre and Co-Chair of the Victoria Chinatown Care Society’s annual fundraising event. Ian is a third generation Victorian with a great sense of belonging. He and his family enjoy all that Victoria has to offer, and he is committed to giving back to the community. Lori Elder
BA, CTM, Dipl.PR
Lori is a communications professional with over 25 years of experience in public relations, project management, and business development in the government, corporate and non-profit sectors.
She is the Principal of PR4Good, and Marketing Lead, Digital / Online Media for BC Colleges. An avid volunteer, she currently sits on the TLC Fund for Kids Board of Directors and is the Victoria Community Leader for a social enterprise called Mealshare. Lori has also been Chair of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce’s Ambassador Committee, and was the former Media Relations Director for the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion events in Victoria. Lori is passionate about our community and sharing her time, talent and skills for social good. Michael Cridge
CGA, CPA, CFP
Michael is Director & Senior Private Banker with Bank of Montreal’s Private Banking office in Victoria. He joined BMO in 1980 and has held various positions with the firm, as Private Banker since 1990. Michael has been active in the business and non-profit field in Victoria for a number of years and is currently President with the Cridge Centre for the Family (on the board since 1997) and member of the Victoria Capital Club, as well as being active on the boards of other charities.
Michael has been a member of the Victoria Foundation Finance Committee since 2013. Michael is a 5th generation Victorian, descended from one of the founding families of Victoria. He and his family enjoy Victoria and are committed to giving back to the community. Zaman Velji
MBA, CFA
Professionally, Zaman focuses on the oversight and governance of private company investments in the infrastructure sector for the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation. Previously, he was a consultant with McKinsey & Company serving institutional investors including foundations and also worked in international development as part of the Aga Khan Development Network. Along with his wife and two children, Zaman feels proud and blessed to call Victoria home. Deirdre Roberts
Honorary Governors President
Deirdre has enjoyed a successful career in radio and television broadcasting that started in London at the BBC and continued at CBC in Vancouver. In 25 years at CBC, she was involved in many areas of arts and documentary programming. Deirdre has been involved with the Victoria Foundation for several years serving as a valued granting committee member. Her other community involvement has included Victoria Hospice, and she is currently involved in The Partnership Walk for Global Poverty and Friends of UVic Libraries