Sunday January 18, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 1:17 pm]
by Mary P Brooke, Editor | Island Social Trends
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce recently announced their 2026 Board of Directors, for terms starting January 1, 2026.
Christina Clarke, founder of Christina Clarke & Co, continues as Board Chair, with James Gatsi, Business Development Manager with Tecnet, as Vice-Chair. Kris Wirk, Partner at Dusanj and Wirk, is Past Chair.
New board members are Inderbir Singh, CEO of Western Canada Security, and Kara Udell, Executive Director of Oak Bay Volunteer Services.
Business leaders:
The Chamber says that its board consists of established and emerging business and community leaders who will work with Chamber committees and staff.
Greater Victoria region:
The Greater Victoria region is comprised of 13 municipalities, of which the City of Victoria is one.
Generally speaking, the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce tends to focus on downtown Victoria and that city’s issues as well as Saanich.
The Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay municipal areas together comprise the core area of Greater Victoria including the seat of the provincial government, the University of Victoria which is a major employer, and much high-priced real estate.
The other municipalities have their own Chambers of Commerce which operate distinctly but may have overlapping issues with the Victoria Chamber.
The West Shore Chamber aims to cover the west shore municipalities including Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Highlands and Metchosin. The Saanich Peninsula Chamber straddles Central Saanich, North Saanich and Sidney. Esquimalt has its own chamber. The Sooke Region Chamber focuses on its own region beyond the west shore including the Juan de Fuca area.
Sometimes there are ‘five chamber’ events, to help intermingling of the region’s businesses.
Governance of all the 13 municipalities is under the wing of the Capital Regional District (CRD) which undertakes regional concerns like housing and hospitals, and more recently also transportation, as well as ongoing issues like environment, water supply and agricultural security.
Two-year terms:
Greater Victoria Chamber board members are elected for two-year terms, and there were four positions up for election for 2026.
“The year ahead will be a pivotal time for Greater Victoria’s business community and the 2026 Chamber Board of Directors are an exceptional group that represents our region’s diverse economic sectors,” Chamber Chair Christina Clarke said in the Chamber January 9 news release.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to work with business and community leaders as we advocate for a better future,” says Clarke.
Build business and community:
The Chamber’s stated 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.
Board members in 2026:
Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce 2026 Board of Directors:
Executive
- Christina Clarke • Chair • Christina Clarke & Co
- James Gatsi • Vice-Chair • TecNet Canada
- Josue Dubon • Secretary • DesignWealth
- Spencer Walker • Treasurer • CIBC
- Kris Wirk • Past Chair • Dusanj + Wirk CPA
Directors
- Ashka Wirk • Wirk Consulting
- Corey Gillon • Peninsula Co-op
- Elizabeth Brown • Victoria Airport Authority
- Inderbir Singh, Western Canada Security
- Kara Udell, Oak Bay Volunteer Services
- Capt. (N) Kevin Whiteside • CFB Esquimalt
- Mary Lou Newbold • Mayfair Optometric
- Rose Arsenault • Agilus Work Solutions
Non-Voting
- John Wilson • Chamber CEO
- Kelly Somogyi • Chair of Emerge Committee • York Brooks Design
===== RELATED:
- Island Social Trends is a business member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Victoria Chamber message to municipalities on budgets for 2026 (January 18, 2026)
- NEWS SECTIONS: BUSINESS | GREATER VICTORIA