Board of Directors

Join other community-minded individuals in helping to build a connected, collaborative, inclusive and sustainable community. We are eager to recruit directors who have an interest in accounting, risk management, and facilities management to stand for election to the Board at our October AGM. We also welcome interest from those with other skills, experience, and perspective. We strongly encourage candidates from equity seeking groups to apply. For more detailed information read our Board Member Job Description or contact Vanya at vmcdonell@fairfieldcommunity.ca or (250) 382-4604. If you require any accommodations during the application process of to serve as a Board member, please contact Pippa Davis, Office Manager, at (250) 382-4604 or office@fairfieldcommunity.ca

Anna Phelan~ President     

Anna can be reached directly at president@fairfieldcommunity.ca

Anna has been developing her love and appreciation for Fairfield-Gonzales since her parents moved to the neighbourhood 22 years ago and she and her husband relocated here in 2016. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree at Queen’s University and two Master’s at Concordia, she spent more than a decade working in the Arts and Culture industry, as a festival organizer and Marketing and Communications specialist, collaborating with both grassroots community upstarts and some of Montreal’s biggest festivals. Anna was then hired as Interim Director of the Centre Culturel Georges-Vanier, a non-profit community arts centre, offering programming similar to the FGCA’s, where she gained invaluable insight into the challenges and rewards of running such an organization from the administrative side. Anna hopes the cumulative knowledge and experience she brings to the FGCA in a governance role will help to strengthen the organization in its mission to serve the community.

Quinn Fletcher~ Vice President

Quinn grew up on Moss St and spent the majority of his youth around the trifecta of Moss Rocks, Dallas Rd   and Chapman Park. He spent many years living in different parts of the country for school or work and is now grateful to be back in Fairfield to raise a family. Like so many others in Victoria, Quinn is a dedicated public servant working to ensure that the provincial government maintains a high standard of accountability and transparency. In addition, he brings a variety of board experience including a music festival and environmental non-profit. He is ultimately quite grateful to be able to live in a place like Fairfield and provide support to the community through the FGCA’s programs and opportunities.

Philip Sawkins ~ Tresurer

Philip is a graduate of UBC and spent much of his professional life in heavy construction (or related fields) as a financial officer/manager.  He has worked on volunteer boards in various capacities and was the executive director for 7 years of BC & Yukon for Canadian Youth Hostels, a not-for-profit society.  Philip has lived in Fairfield-Gonzales since 2010, and was previously on the FGCA Board for multiple terms.  He is currently volunteering with the Monterrey Community Centre. Philip is interested in and committed to the services offered that can be provided by and to the community through organizations like the FGCA.

Ashley Fernandes

Ashley has been a resident of Fairfield-Gonzales since 2015 and loves the neighbourhood community and its vibe. His earlier career in the private sector has included working with a local seafood company in Victoria.  Ashley holds a Master’s Degree in Global Management from Royal Roads University, Victoria, and currently works Public Service. He is very grateful to be living on the Coast Salish Territory and the land of the Lekwungen People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. Ashley enjoys playing soccer and is excited to serve the community in this role. He lives with his wife and young daughter. Ashley has served on the Board of Directors since November 2021.

Joanna Fox

Joanna has more than 25 years working in the not-for-profit national sport sector followed by 10 years with the provincial government focusing on physical activity, healthy communities and age-friendly communities. She and her husband run a cycling program for kids ages 10-18 and are active in BC’s largest cycling club. She has lived in Gonzales for 24 years, restoring a 1908 heritage house with her family (they’ve all had a part!) and truly appreciates the community’s walkability, schools, variety of businesses, parks and beaches. Her involvement with the CALUC over the past two years stems from her belief in responsible density and community engagement.

Caitlin McGuire

Caitlin McGuire is a long-time resident of the Fairfield Gonzales neighbourhood, having grown up on Moss Street and recently returned to the Gonzales area with her family. Caitlin holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, and has focused much of her career on strategic planning, performance measurement, and emergency management. Her professional experience includes leadership positions with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Ministry of Health, and BC’s Gender Equity Office. Caitlin is excited to contribute to her community through the FGCA as a member of the Board of Directors. She is happiest on the water, on her bike, or on adventures with her husband and young boys. 

Bianca Wallace ~ Secretary

Bianca is grateful to have lived in Fairfield since 2016 and loves its vibrancy and neighbourliness. Bianca worked in non-profits and neighbourhood houses for several years prior to earning a Master’s in Public Administration and joining the BC Public Service. During her time in government, she has worked in the areas of seniors service advocacy, privacy, and small business, and now works in economy sector policy analysis. Bianca brings experience from a variety of volunteer, stakeholder engagement and program management roles, and is excited to be part of the FGCA’s community building work.

Don Monsour ~ Past President

As an advocate for community involvement Don has enjoyed participating and leading organizations in achieving their goals. While working with profit and not for profit organizations for over 45 years in several key initiatives he has developed a strong understanding of the rules and regulations that govern many boards and committees. As a leader of volunteer groups made up of individual personalities and objectives, he has successfully managed challenging goals and budgets and helped to raise close to 2 million dollars for not for profit associations. This experience, coupled with his business background, has provided Don       with  the ability to work within board guidelines helping to achieve the strategic goals and direction as set by the board.  Don truly believes that understanding the dynamics and chemistry that exists on a board is vital in supporting a board successful outcome.

Carrie Fuzi

Carrie has lived in the Cook Street Village in Fairfield for the past 12 years with her husband while restoring their 1907 home. She has two grown children with her daughter living in Gonzales with her husband and two grandchildren. She has an Executive Management Business diploma from Simon Fraser School of Business with experience in senior management as well as experience in real estate and a long history of renovating homes with her husband. In the past, Carrie ran a support group for individuals with pain through the People in Pain Network and was on the patient advisory committee for Pain BC. When the Fairfield Area Plan was created, she was part of a neighbourhood group that engaged with the community to provide input to the City of Victoria. It is important to Carrie that all voices are heard, respected and that through debate we can produce excellent outcomes for the community while remaining united and respectful in our neighbourhoods.

   Desiree Neufeld 

Desiree has been working in the non-profit sector for the last decade, most recently in funding administration for federal and provincial programs that aim to support agriculture and food security here in B.C. She holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of Alberta, and a Certificate in Project Management through the University of Victoria. Before moving to Victoria, Desiree worked in the grape and wine industry in Ontario. Her spare moments are filled with a myriad of outdoor activities, including hiking and camping as well as dabbling in various art mediums. Desiree is eagerly looking forward to getting more involved in FGCA’s operations and community work.  

Matt Dell ~ Council Liaison

Fairfield Gonzales Neighbourhood Liaison. Email contact: mdell@victoria.ca

“Our community members take their responsibilities seriously, but with realistic expectations and enormous good humour. It is a pleasure to work in such an environment.” – former board member