The South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), Greater Victoria’s economic development alliance, announced its 2025/26 Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on June 17. The Board includes one new director and 10 returning directors poised to guide the region through a period of both challenge and immense opportunity.
“Welcome to SIPP’s new and returning board directors,” says Terry Gunning, Board Chair. “As the recent work of our Rising Economy Taskforce highlighted, Greater Victoria is at an economic crossroads filled with untapped potential. This Board’s vision and guidance will be critical in helping us harness that potential and navigate economic uncertainty.” SIPP’s 2025/26 Board includes:
- Terry Gunning, Chair — Partner, EY
- Jennifer Vornbrock, Vice-Chair — Executive Director, Community & Government Relations, UVic
- Suzanne Bradbury, Vice-Chair — Co-owner, Fort Properties Ltd.
- Evan Machin — Investment Associate, InBC Investment Corp.
- Katie McGowan — Corporate Executive Officer, Songhees Development Corporation
- Mark Donahue — Director, Technology Adoption, EllisDon
- Jenny Farkas — Co–founder, Make Space for Art Society
- Sonterra Ross — VP, Operations, Beacon Community Services
- Tony Payne — SVP, Technology & Innovation, BCI
- Basma Majerbi — Associate Professor, Gustavson School of Business, UVic, and Development Lead, Vancouver Island Impact Investing Hub (VI3Hub)
- Steven Rumpel — Acting Dean, School of Business, Camosun College
“In particular, I wish to welcome Steven Rumpel, Acting Dean of the School of Business at Camosun College, as our newest Board Director,” Gunning adds. “His fresh perspective and post-secondary sector representation will be invaluable. I also extend our gratitude to outgoing directors Peter Cowan, Dr. Susanne Thiessen and Robert Mittleman for their significant contributions and insightful guidance.”
Aaron Stone, SIPP CEO, emphasizes the Board’s vital role in shaping the region’s future. “I am eager to collaborate with our new and returning board members on SIPP’s coming five-year strategy. This plan will leverage our region’s inherent strengths, fostering sustainable prosperity and innovation, all while safeguarding our exceptional quality of life.”
