Board of Directors
Patra de Silva
President
Patra De Silva is a senior business executive with extensive experience in product development, manufacturing and marketing. She is the president of Natures Botanicals, a nutraceutical company which manufactures and markets dietary herbal supplements, pet remedies and natural personal care products. Being a student of Ayurveda, Patra is a strong proponent of a holistic lifestyle. She is an innovator in the pet industry and is the president of NHVNaturalPetProducts.com, a B to C e-commerce site for pet products.
Deirdre Campbell
Past President
Deirdre Campbell is managing director of Canadian-based Beattie Tartan and has been entrenched in the global tourism market for more than 20 years. What began as a west-coast based boutique PR agency called Tartan in 2001, with a handful of Canadian signature experiences quickly expanded internationally, with a range of luxury eco resorts and destinations across North, Central and South America.
Janice Comeau
Treasurer & Secretary
Janice Comeau is a strategic, trusted advisor and corporate director with over 30 years of diverse experience including award-winning CFO performance as a financial leader for business transformation. She has an established consulting practise that provides strategic corporate and financial services to a portfolio of privately held companies. Janice recently joined the board of a public cannabis company and prior to that was the Board Chair of the Land Title and Survey Authority.
Catherine Roome
Vice President, Chair Membership Committee
As is a leader in the algorithmic economy – where predictive insights are used to create long-term social and financial value – Catherine’s purpose is to deliver technological innovation to serve the public interest. Catherine led a large risk-oversight organization for more than 10 years, and currently co-leads a health-tech startup with her daughter, inspired by a desire for global health equity. She sits on boards related to energy, finance, engineering and research, and launched a podcast this year titled “Risk is the New Kale”. The podcast highlights how to separate risk from opportunity – one of the most misunderstood but essential factors of next-level success.
Janet Ketchen
Co-Chair Engagement Committee
Janet is a contemporary, abstract, impressionistic artist. An active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, her work is shown in galleries and private collections in North America and Europe.
Following a lifelong interest in art, Janet answered her visual arts calling after a successful career in finance, having built one of the top wealth management practices at RBC Dominion Securities.
Pamela Martin
Co-Chair Engagement Committee
Pamela Martin is a trail-blazing and renowned veteran for women in news broadcasting in British Columbia, Canada. She is an award-winning news anchor and journalist who brought critical issues into the homes of British Columbians for over 30 years, and is recognized as a source of fair and accurate information.
For over two decades at BCTV and CTV, Pamela was an integral member of a team that created and produced the highest-rated and most-watched local newscast in Canada.
Margaret Lucas
Member at Large
MARGARET LUCAS has been an executive leader in the Tourism and Development Industry for over 30 years. She is currently the Executive Director, Business Development for PARC Living.
She currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority and Chairs the Infrastructure, Planning and Development Committee and the Ogden Point Master Plan Committee.
Joanne Gassman
Member at Large
Joanne Gassman was with BMO Bank of Montreal for more than 39 years, most recently retiring from her position as the Senior Vice President of Personal & Commercial Banking for BC & Yukon Division.
She is currently a Director on the Streetohome Board, WorkWithUs Foundation, and the Bowen Island Community Foundation. She is past Chair of the Bill Reid Foundation and the Vancouver Council for CARE Canada and a past Governor of the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ellisha Mott
Member at Large, Chair Communications Committee
Ellisha is the Vice President, and 4th generation of one of the oldest and largest electrical contractors in Western Canada – Mott Electric. She is an advocate for and publicly speaks on behalf of: women and minority populations in construction and family enterprise across Canada. She is trail blazing and shattering ceilings in the construction industry while leading the family business to its 100 year milestone.
Cathy Press
Member at Large
CATHY PRESS is CEO of Chinook Helicopters. As the first female helicopter flight instructor in Canada, she is driving the aviation industry forward and has grown Chinook to be an internationally recognized flight school specializing in helicopter and aeroplane pilot training. Cathy’s current focus is on the development of simulation products to assist in high level training programs aiming to become a national leader in VR flight simulation training.
Ruby Gill
Member at Large
Ruby Gill is the President, Board of Directors, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF or Doctors Without Borders) Canada. As chair of the board of directors for MSF Canada I am responsible for ensuring the board governs in line with Canadian charitable regulations, and the organizational mission and mandate. I also represent Canada at the International MSF governing platforms