Supporting Our Harbours
Our leadership team is responsible for the strategy and business direction of the organization. The team supports and guides our staff.
Collectively, they are responsible for:
- Providing excellence in services that add value to both locals and visitors alike
- Creating and maintaining a supportive organization
- Ensuring that the organization is a great place to work
- Ensuring the organization is fiscally sound
- Ensuring the highest and best use of all owned and managed assets and properties
Robert Lewis-Manning
Chief Executive Officer
Lewis-Manning has over 20 years of executive-level leadership experience in the global marine transportation sector and has established a reputation as an innovative thought leader committed to building diverse and high-performing teams...
During his time with the Chamber of Shipping, he was responsible for developing and implementing a new strategic direction, including expanding client base and revenue; prioritizing partnerships with First Nations communities; and facilitating substantial changes to vessel operations in Canadian waters. He also advocated and negotiated the first marine conservation agreement in Canada to protect endangered whales, securing the support of three federal departments.
Judith Ethier
Chief Administrative Officer & Executive Vice President Commercial
Ethier oversees enterprise risk management, legal, finance, human resources, information technology, leasing, administration, and governance for the Board of Directors...
Ethier oversees the commercial lines of business for GVHA, as well as the financial, governance and administrative portfolios. Her role includes supporting and developing the strategic initiatives that will ensure the organization enjoys long term sustainability and growth. Ethier has been with GVHA since 2017.
Ethier’s prior roles included more than 25 years in the public and private sector in Calgary, AB, where she held senior finance roles in both the oil and gas and commercial real estate industries. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
In addition, Ethier holds a CPCC designation, as a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, where she enjoys working with individuals and organizations on strategic career and leadership development.
Mark Crisp
Vice-President, Infrastructure and Resiliency
Crisp is responsible for planning and implementing Asset Management and Capital works program and projects...
Crisp has worked in the planning and construction industry for nearly 30 years, in several countries, and brings significant engineering and architectural experience to bear on maintaining growth of GVHA’s portfolio. He looks forward to bringing various major projects to fruition for the GVHA.
Colleen Turner
Vice-President, Strategic Partnerships & Innovation
Turner oversees the teams focusing on cruise tourism, sustainability, Indigenous partnerships, communications and stakeholder engagement...
Turner works to accelerate GVHA's capacity for innovation and partnership, and to help identify emerging opportunities that align with the organization's mission and vision.
Most recently, Turner served as vice president at Alberta Health Services, leading strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, foundation relations, and government relations. Prior to that, she led the external relation team at the University of Calgary. She started her career as a journalist in Ontario before transitioning into communications and stakeholder relations.
Amber Hanson
Director, Communications & Engagement
Hanson is a strategic communications leader with more than 20 years’ experience driving brand, engagement, and reputation initiatives across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. ...
Hanson brings deep expertise in tourism and place-based marketing, and is known for creating thoughtful, inclusive, and innovative strategies to engage diverse audiences.
She oversees all facets of GVHA’s communications portfolio—from media relations and digital strategy to brand and marketing, events, and engagement—ensuring alignment with GVHA’s vision of creating Canada’s most vibrant and harmonious harbour.
Her background includes senior roles at the University of Victoria and University of British Columbia, as well as key positions with Parks Canada and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
A graduate of the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business, Hanson also studied at Nanzan University in Japan. Amber a collaborative leader who is committed to lifelong learning and dedicated to developing high-performing teams.
Hanson is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between people and place, and sharing the unique stories of Victoria’s working harbour.
Judy Kitts
Director, First Nations Engagement
Kitts is responsible for increasing the recognition of the Lekwungen People in and around the facilities and land GVHA manages and supporting economic development initiatives through the First Nations Economic Development Committee...
Kitts has worked in Indigenous relations for more than 10 years, first as a contractor working with Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, helping to review historical records from Indian Residential Schools to support the settlement and claims made by residential school survivors.
She has also worked with the provincial government in treaty negotiations, which included supporting the implementation of the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement and the Kitsumkalum First Nation and Kitselas First Nation Interim Treaty Agreements. Most recently, Kitts worked at the Port of Vancouver, leading consultation with Indigenous groups on port development projects.
She grew up in Cornwall, Ontario along the St Lawrence River and the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne. Kitts holds a Masters degree from the University of Victoria in Dispute Resolution, and a Bachelors degree in International Development and Politics from Queens University.
Kitts is honoured to live and work in Victoria in the traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nation and Songhees Nation.
Lori Ann Smith
Director, Finance
Smith manages the finance department, insurance, enterprise risk management, and investments with a focus on financial sustainability. She is also the Privacy Officer for the organization...
Smith manages the finance department, insurance, enterprise risk management, contracts, and investments with a focus on financial sustainability. She is also the Privacy Officer for the organization.
Smith has over 15 years’ experience in the finance field in municipal and non-profit organizations.
Her experience encompasses both working experience and volunteer experience on non-profit boards. She has a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree from Laurentian University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
Smith’s love of Vancouver Island started in her early years as she lived in Port Alberni. After moving away for many years, she was thrilled to return with her family and settle back on the island in 2014. Since moving back to the island, Smith takes every opportunity available to be outdoors enjoying our beautiful place to live.