OUR TEAM

Leadership Victoria attracts dedicated, talented, and dynamic leaders. Thousands of people in the community and across the country have been connected through Leadership Victoria. Most local leaders have a direct connection to our work.

GUME ARZOLA

Program Manager

Gume is a program designer, facilitator and team coach. With over ten years of experience in the talent development field, he uses experiential learning tools to create innovative learning experiences. Gume shares the purpose of Developing Community Leadership with Leadership Victoria and is committed to developing outstanding leadership development programs for Victoria's leaders who want to change the world, starting here.

NICOLE PAYIE

Administrative Assistant

Nicole is a Victoria native who loves working with non-profit organizations. With a MMus degree from the University of Ottawa, Nicole found a passion for community outreach teaching early childhood music classes in communities in the Greater Victoria area. Nicole assists in our annual celebration of local leadership at the Victoria Community Leadership Awards and provides support to our programming team for the Community Leadership Development Program

MARK CROCKER

Executive Director

Mark is a dynamic communicator on culture, community-building, values, and international development. His background as a humanitarian development worker reveals a passion to build healthy communities in Canada and around the world. Mark has extensive experience in organizational leadership and is always looking to develop, celebrate, and support leaders who put in the hard work to build community.

BRYAN MAVROW

Board Chair

Bryan is a business and community leader passionate about helping others reach their potential professionally, and in their communities. He's enjoyed a career as a senior leader with a cooperative bank, where he helped grow community contribution across BC.

CURTIS SMITH

Outgoing Board Chair

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PENNY JADWIN

Vice President, Program Committee

Penny has held many varied corporate leadership roles across Canada and the US. She has most enjoyed those roles that involve the challenges of transforming business and managing change. Penny serves as a Board VP and Programming Committee Chair.

JOANNA MAY

Vice President, HR Committee

Joanna is a CPHR and works as the Director of HR for Community Living Victoria. She also develops/facilitates private HR training with a focus on managing within a unionized environment, and hosts a LR roundtable through CPHR BC & Yukon.

CALVIN JENNINGS

Secretary, Governance Committee

Calvin has served diverse populations through the non-profit and public sectors. In his current role in the BC Public Service, he focuses on poverty reduction, homelessness, and strategic partnerships. In previous positions, he has strengthened partnerships and provided consulting services to non-profit organizations.

JULIANNE VAN DYK

Treasurer

Julianne received her CPA designation in 2020 and works for a local public practice firm. Born and raised on the island, she enjoys all aspects! Her favourite place to spend time is Shawnigan lake.

CAROLINE HUDSON

Victoria Community Leadership Awards

Caroline has been a volunteer with LV for two and a half years now and is again organizing the VCLAs from top to bottom. Caroline has a long career with the Federal Government and as a retiree, volunteers her time additionally with Santas Anonymous Victoria.

DAVE MARECEK

Financial Stability

Leading one's self is the key, as once we understand who we are and what we believe, we are then prepared to help other people in teams, organizations and communities to reach for their best possible future.

GARTH CATERS

Director at Large

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PENNY

Caroline has been an LV volunteer for two and a half years now and is again organizing the VCLAs from top to bottom. Caroline has a long career with the Federal Government as a retiree, volunteers her time additionally with Santas Anonymous.

SABRINA LAI

Being born and raised in Victoria, BC, Sabrina is excited to be a part of an organization that recognizes leaders in her community.

VIANNA TABASI

Vianna Tabasi is a Masters of Tourism Mangement student at Royal Roads University after receiving a Masters in Chemistry in Iran.. Previously, Vianna was a sales and marketing manager with 10 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry.

IOCHABEL SANTOS

Iochabel is an enthusiastic volunteer in community ventures which improve quality of life.  She and her husband moved to Victoria to study at UVic.

NEHA SHARMA

Neha came from India in 2018 as an international student to pursue Masters in Global Management from RRU in Victoria. Since completing the program she been working as Community Engagement Coordinator with HERE Magazine and has served on the City of Victoria's Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee.

VERONICA MELO

Veronica is a creative, enthusiastic and motivated digital marketer. After 3 years working with international students in Brazil, she is dedicated to connecting with people and sharing ideas and is volunteering with Leadership Victoria.

DAVID GIRODAY

David recently relocated to Victoria to pursue a career in local government law with Stewart McDannold Stuart. Prior to relocating to Vancouver Island David completed his legal studies in Windsor, Ontario and began his career practicing civil litigation in Vancouver. David has experience working with legal aid and non-profit community outreach on Vancouver's downtown eastside.

SARAH HOSTETTLER

Sarah was born and raised in beautiful Victoria and attended fine arts programs at Camosun Langara College. The arts have always been a passion for Sarah. She is excited to be part of Leadership Victoria to help support local leaders in our community and to work with a wonderful group of people.

JESSE NEIMUS

Jesse Neimus is an essential part of the team, and has been with Leadership Victoria since the very beginning. As our Customer Service Representative, they’ve worked with and helped countless customers to ensure complete satisfaction.

PENNY JADWIN

Penny has held many varied corporate leadership roles across Canada and the US. She has most enjoyed those roles that involve the challenges of transforming business and managing change. Penny serves as a Board VP and Programming Committee Chair.

OLIVIA YANEZ

Olivia first joined LV as a member of the 2019-2020 CLDP Cohort. She has since become a volunteer, putting her marketing skills and experience in the corporate world to the service of our community. Olivia is an active member of the Latin-American community in Victoria, and an ED&I advocate.

AFAF BURROW

Afaf roots her lived-in experiences as a young woman on unceded traditional Lekwungen territory. Her interests lay in social justice, community building, and youth leadership. She is committed to fostering multifaceted connections and lifelong learning.

JILL TATARYN

Jill Tataryn graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Management in Finance and enjoys working with teams that promote leadership, equity, diversity, and inclusion in contribution to the wider Victoria community.

GABY RODRIGUEZ

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JAYLENE ODAGIRI

Jaylene is a 4th year Commerce student at the University of Victoria. She enjoys being able to give back to the great community that has been home for the past few years. After graduating, Jaylene plans of pursuing a career in IT.

UPINDER DHINDSA

Upinder is a full-time student at Royal Roads University pursuing a Master of Global Management. She has over 11 years of experience in People Management, Operations and Legal Consulting/Litigation Work.

DAVID GIRODAY

David recently relocated to Victoria to pursue a career in local government law with Stewart McDannold Stuart. Prior to relocating to Vancouver Island David completed his legal studies in Windsor, Ontario and began his career practicing civil litigation in Vancouver. David has experience working with legal aid and non-profit community outreach on Vancouver's downtown eastside.

SARAH HOSTETTLER

Sarah was born and raised in beautiful Victoria and attended fine arts programs at Camosun Langara College. The arts have always been a passion for Sarah. She is excited to be part of Leadership Victoria to help support local leaders in our community and to work with a wonderful group of people.

MICHAEL ANTHONY

Senior Producer

Mike is a senior producer at Workday. He shoots commericals for products like Slack and Microsoft Teams, as well as music videos for Juno nominated musicians. How? He drinks four shots of espresso four times a day. Everyday.

BRYAN ROWLEY

Producer | Background

Bryan is a passionate community builder and community developer that collaborates with like-minded individuals, community-focused, and neighbourhood level organizations to foster community leadership

MADELINE JOHNSTON

Blog Writer

Madeline was born in Victoria and has an English degree from the University of Victoria. Madeline has three children and enjoys music, reading and spending time with family.