South Island Prosperity Partnership announces new board

Interim CEO Dallas Gislason addresses the audience at the 2024 South Island Prosperity Partnership AGM. Photo: James MacDonald.
Interim CEO Dallas Gislason addresses the audience at the 2024 South Island Prosperity Partnership AGM. Photo: James MacDonald.

South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), Greater Victoria’s economic development alliance, has announced a new chair, new directors and returning directors to their Board for 2024/25.

Terry Gunning is the new chair of the SIPP Board of Directors. Now a partner at EY, Gunning has held senior leadership positions with DXC Technology, CGI and Transformation Technology with the B.C. government.

“I am excited to continue to work with our board to support SIPP’s collaborative vision for the South Island economy that is more resilient, innovative, sustainable and equitable over time,” says Gunning. “SIPP’s work through COAST to expand our region’s sustainable ocean & marine sector is now seeing impressive results that will help diversify our economy. We are also seeing strong momentum with the Indigenous economy and the work of the Indigenous Prosperity Centre.”

SIPP’s interim CEO Dallas Gislason says “as a seasoned SIPP board director, Terry has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating a vibrant economy that benefits everyone in the Greater Victoria region.”

SIPP welcomed the following new directors for 2024/25:

  • Evan Machin — Investment Associate, InBC Investment Corp.

  • Katie McGowan — Business & Strategy Consultant, Serial Entrepreneur

  • Mark Donahue — Director of Operations, British Columbia, EllisDon

  • Jenny Farkas —Regional Coordinator, Creative Coast

SIPP’s returning board members for 2024/25 are:

  • Jennifer Vornbrock, Vice-Chair — Executive Director, Community & Government Relations, UVic

  • Suzanne Bradbury, Vice-Chair — Co-owner, Fort Properties Ltd.

  • Robert Mittelman, Acting Dean, Faculty of Management, Associate Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Co-Director of the School of Business, Royal Roads University.

  • Susanne Thiessen — Assistant Professor, Indigenous Community Development, School of Public Administration, UVic

  • Sonterra Ross — Director, Finance & Administration, Beacon Community Services

  • Tony Payne — Senior Vice President, Technology & Innovation, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI)

  • Basma Majerbi — Associate Professor, Gustavson School of Business, UVic, and Development Lead, Vancouver Island Impact Investing Hub (VI3Hub)

  • Peter Cowan, CEO, Innovate BC

  • Frank Bouree — Bourree & Associates (past-chair – ex officio)

Gislason says he is grateful to outgoing chair Frank Bourree for his service, noting “Frank has brought heart, vision and exemplary governance to SIPP’s board during a pivotal time for our region. I also thank outgoing director Kear Porttris for his valuable board contribution and guidance as we develop the Indigenous Prosperity Centre.”

To learn more about SIPP’s initiatives and work, read their 2023/2024 Impact Report.