Our Board

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.

Zhila is a Persian woman, a mother of a beautiful daughter and a proud aunt. Born and raised in Iran, she graduated from the University of Tehran with a degree in business. She has also completed the level 4 Certified General Accountant program and is in the process of obtaining her Certified Aboriginal Finance Manager Certification. She has worked in a variety of finance management positions in Tehran. She moved to Canada in 2001 and has been employed since then in a similar environment, as well as operating her own financial consulting business focused on trust reporting, trust audit, and the Law Society of BC’s rule. Currently, she works full-time as the Finance Manager for the Indigenous Perspectives Society. She has many passions which include artistic endeavors, family values, and her work.

Sambo was born in a refugee camp along the border of Thailand and Cambodia. In 1985, Sambo’s parents immigrated to Canada and began a new life in Victoria, BC. The ICA played an integral role in helping the Eam family navigate a new country with little resources. Growing up in Victoria, Sambo obtained a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and holds a CPA designation. He started his accounting career as an external auditor at KPMG and now is the Director of Financial Reporting at Island Health. In his free time, he enjoys family life with his two young daughters. As an ICA Board member, Sambo is excited to contribute his firsthand experiences and financial expertise to ICA’s purpose and mission.

Coco is a Senior Policy Analyst, Indigenous Services Canada. 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.

Cathy has an extensive executive level management experience in physician policy and medical service funding, immigration and multiculturalism policy, federal/ provincial immigration and refugee planning, negotiation, program funding and delivery, and BC/Canada and BC/US intergovernmental relations managed through the Office of the Premier. Cathy served for 10 years as a member of Advisory Committee to the Director of the School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria and was a member of MPA Mentorship Program. Additionally, she was the Treasurer and Chairperson of Victoria Cool Aid Society, a Board member Beckley Farm Lodge, and President of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. She currently serves as a Board Director of Broadmead Care Society and Chairs the Committee on Patient Safety and Quality Insurance.

Jose Albis is a seasoned leader with a passion for driving growth and innovation. Originally from Colombia, he holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Los Andes. After moving to Canada, Jose spent over two decades honing his skills in raising funds for startups and engaging with investors. As a co-founder of Moduurn Mobility Inc., he played a pivotal role in scaling the company and leading strategic initiatives. Now, after years of success in the private sector, Jose is ready to bring his expertise back to the board of the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), where he aims to make a lasting impact on the community. Outside of his professional life, Jose enjoys exploring new ideas, spending time with his family, and staying connected to his cultural roots.

Linda Lee is the Chief People Officer at Rula where their mission is to make high quality mental healthcare work for everyone. She has over 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors specifically in Human Resources, Culture, Communications, Marketing, Business Development, Finance, and Operations. She has worked with successful Fortune 100 companies to innovative start-ups that have gone both public and private. As a previous ICA board member, she is honoured to come back to help ICA take their organization to the next level. She is also a member of the 100+Women Who Care in both Victoria and Saanich.

Tania (she/her) is a Nigerian-Canadian, born and raised on Treaty 1 Territory (Winnipeg, MB), but she has lived in Victoria since 2007. She holds an undergraduate degree in Political Studies, a master’s degree in Public Administration, and has received national awards for her research on corporate entrepreneurship. Over the last eighteen years, Tania has built her career in the public service. In her current role with the BC Government, she leads a team that designs policies and programs to increase access to legal aid and legal assistance for the most vulnerable people in British Columbia. Outside of work, you’re most likely to find Tania in the dance studio where she studies Flamenco and Contemporary Ballet or volunteering her time to support community or social justice initiatives.