Toby Louie
President

Toby works as an Executive Lead in the BC public service. Previously, he worked in various policy, planning and communications roles in the public service. His volunteerism includes supporting youth softball and baseball, and he has served as a volunteer coach, association board member and softball association president. Born in Macau, China and raised in Victoria, Toby graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Master of Public Administration.

Teresa Lin, CPA
Board Treasurer

Teresa is grateful for ICA’s support to her family when they immigrated to Victoria from Taiwan and delighted to be able to give back as the Board Treasurer, utilizing her financial knowledge from working in public practice in Canada and in Australia. Having lived on four continents and travelled to more than 50 countries, she is passionate about engaging with different cultures and introducing newcomers to beautiful Victoria. When she is not planning her next trip, Teresa is dedicated to supporting her home community as an avid volunteer with Junior Achievement, along with serving as Vice Chair of the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival Society and a Finance Committee member of the Victoria Foundation.

Miranda Ji
Vice President

Miranda is VP of Sales for Destination Greater Victoria and the Victoria Conference Centre. She has extensive experience in the hospitality and tourism sector and has served on various boards in this capacity. her family benefited from the services provided by ICA in her life, leading her to volunteer with the organization during her university years and eventually to her current role on the board. She has worked and travelled abroad and enjoys learning about different cultures. Growing up in Victoria, Miranda attended the University of Victoria and received her Bachelor of Education degree specializing in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Paul Smith

Paul was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia and moved to Victoria in 1994 after attending St. Mary’s University where he studied Psychology and Criminology. Paul is a Staff Sergeant with the Saanich Police Department where he has served for the past 24 years. A true passion for coaching and mentoring was identified early in Paul’s life. These early opportunities led to a lifelong commitment to coaching and Paul has been highly involved in the Greater Victoria Community for the past 20 years with various local youth sports organizations. As an ICA board member, Paul looks forward to working collaboratively with other board members and community partners to ensure a smooth, successful transition for newcomers to our community.

Shiko Mungai

Shiko is a lawyer from Kenya where she engaged in private practice, worked at the United Nations Environment Programme, Amnesty International and volunteered at other non-governmental organizations. She is currently a lawyer with the BC Public Service. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.  As a newcomer to Canada herself, Shiko is keen to support other newcomers and serves as the chair of ICA’s Policy Committee. She is passionate about community development, and as a board member of Work Her Dream Organisation, she actively supports education and welfare of girls in a slum in Eldoret, Kenya where she grew up. In her scarce free time, she loves to spend time with her family, garden, explore beautiful BC and {believe it or not}, cleaning!

Tiana Solares

Tiana Solares is a passionate public service manager with over 15 years of experience in the federal and municipal sectors. With experience in competitive and recreational sports, art galleries, museums and libraries, she grew her skills in relationship management, negotiations and strategy development during her time working with the newcomer and refugee service sector as Assistant Director of Settlement Operations with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Currently the Senior Manager of Recreation with Parks, Recreation and Community Services in Saanich Tiana is proud Atlantic Canadian, she is loving the West Coast island life with her charming husband Hector, and equally charming tornado of a son, Leo.

Heather Dickson

Heather is a retired senior public servant with 30 years of experience working for the BC provincial government. Her previous experience includes employment training, labour market development, procurement, contract management and treaty negotiations. Her focus has always been on trying to understand the various views and interests “that are brought to the table” when working with people. Since retiring, she has had the opportunity to focus on two particular loves: travel and her garden.

David Laks

David is an investment professional and active community volunteer with the United Way of Vancouver, RBC Blue Water Project, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Green Partnership Program at Fairmont Hotel & Resorts. He is a second-generation immigrant to Canada and his father’s family originally left Russia during the Russian Revolution. During this time, his family became refugees and lived in China and Australia before eventually moving to Canada in the 1960s. he has a genuine interest in other cultures and a desire to help newcomers feel welcome in his hometown of Victoria. In addition to earning an MBA from Queen’s University. Holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria.

Coco Zhu

Coco is a policy analyst and project manager with the BC Public Service. She is an active community volunteer, including as a Bridges for Women Society board member and a former ICA English Teacher’s Assistant. As an immigrant to Canada, Coco has directly benefited from similar non-profit organizations, which has inspired her to help ease newcomer transitions and use her education, professional and personal experiences to advocate for ICA and its mission, vision, values and clients.