Our Team

Originally born on the shíshálh Nation (colonially known as the Sunshine Coast), Susie has been an uninvited guest on lək̓ʷəŋən territory for over 15 years. She brings a blend of financial expertise, community leadership, and a deep commitment to social change. With a background as a teacher, entrepreneur, and now working at the Canada Revenue Agency, Susie is a finance nerd with an educator’s heart. Susie joined the VSAC Board in 2021 and served as Treasurer for three years before stepping into the role of Co-Chair. She is honoured to support VSAC’s work alongside survivors, staff, volunteers, and community members, and is particularly passionate about strong, values-aligned governance and making financial information accessible. Outside of VSAC, Susie is a fat activist and co-creator of Fat Pool Party, a community event centred on fat joy, belonging, and creating spaces where people can experience pleasure and connection in their bodies. She is passionate about conversations around privilege, power, and oppression and believes in building communities where people can live fully embodied, juicy, and pleasure-filled lives. Susie likes to rest as hard as she works and plays, so you’ll often find her being a mermaid in the pool, curled up with a good book, or dreaming up her next community project.

Janna is a grateful guest on the traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. Having had the opportunity to live in several countries, she remains especially thankful to call these lands home. Janna holds a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Business Psychology, with a focus on the effect of gender on leadership. Her professional experience spans higher education, training, and government, where she has spent years navigating complex systems, building meaningful partnerships, and turning ideas into practical action. In her current role with the federal government, she is an active member of the Pride and Women's Collaborative networks, as well as a Positive Space trainer and ambassador. Through this work, she helps to foster safer, more inclusive workplaces and to strengthen allyship with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. A passionate advocate for equity and community well-being, Janna has volunteered with Hollaback!, an international movement working to end street harassment and gender-based violence. She has also trained with Citizens Counselling Centre in Victoria and spent two years as a community counsellor there. Janna has a deep belief that lasting change happens when people come together with purpose, compassion, and a willingness to act. She is driven and inspired by the work of many activists and feminists before her, and hopes to support her community by working towards VSAC's mandate. Janna spends her time enjoying the many wonderful things that Island life has to offer.

Alia has been an active member in the anti-violence sector serving for a total of 4 years with the Victoria Women’s Transition House Society in the capacity of a front-line worker at the transition house and leadership role currently holding the position of Residential Program Supervisor overseeing both Transition House and 3rd Stage Housing programs. Throughout her time with VWTH she has been able to support and advocate for those impacted by intimate partner violence gaining skills in policy writing, advocacy, community engagement, and resource navigation. As a Metis woman and survivor of sexual assault, Alia plans on giving the perspective of lived experience through an Indigenous lens. In becoming a Board Member, through an indigenous lens, Alia hopes to bring a decolonized approach with a focus on client-centered practice. During her term, her goal is to foster connections with other anti-violence organizations such as Victoria Women’s Transition House in order to work together in ending gender-based violence.

My name is Jessica Brimacombe, and I am honoured to be joining the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre Board of Directors. I am passionate about advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, and believe meaningful change begins by creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and empowered. Throughout my career in healthcare, government, post-secondary education, and community leadership, I have focused on reducing systemic barriers, fostering inclusive spaces, and supporting equitable opportunities for diverse communities. I currently work in healthcare as a workforce strategy consultant, supporting organizational change and the development of inclusive, people-centred systems. I hold an MBA in Social Enterprise Leadership and strive to lead through a trauma-informed lens grounded in empathy, collaboration, and social justice. My commitment to this work is both professional and deeply personal. I look forward to learning from this community, supporting VSAC’s mission, and contributing to a future where survivors are empowered and everyone can experience safety, dignity, and belonging.

Nikisa Banks (she/her, neh-KEY-suh) is an uninvited visitor on the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speakingpeoples. A first-generation Canadian and the daughter of immigrants from two very different parts of the world, her life has always been shaped by multiculturalism, translation, and a deep respect for diverse traditions. With over fifteen years of experience in marketing and communications, Nikisa has helped purpose-driven organizations connect with their communities, grow their impact, and share their values with authenticity. She brings this blend of expertise, curiosity, and commitment to her role on the VSAC Board of Directors. In her downtime, Nikisa is either baking, puzzling, dancing, or spending time with her husband and their goofball dog Hodge.

Cara Lamont (she/her) is a cisgender white settler living and working on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen Peoples. Cara's journey in the anti-violence sector began as a volunteer with the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre while completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Victoria. That early experience ignited a passion for social justice and supporting individuals impacted by trauma—values that have continued to shape her career. With more than 10 years of leadership experience in the BC Public Service, Cara has built a career focused on creating meaningful social change through public service. Her work has spanned income and disability assistance, family supports, mental health and substance use, and the intersection of criminal justice and systemic inequities. She is passionate about building collaborative partnerships, improving systems, and ensuring services are responsive, equitable, and person-centred. Cara is honoured to return to the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre as a Board Director, bringing her professional experience full circle. She looks forward to working alongside fellow board members, staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance the Centre's mission and support healing, advocacy, and meaningful change for individuals and communities impacted by sexualized violence and trauma. Outside of work, Cara enjoys spending time with her family—both human and furry—reading, listening to music, exploring creative pursuits, and appreciating the natural beauty of the land she is fortunate to call home.

Amy has a background in nonprofit governance, administration, human resources, and volunteer coordination. She has served in multiple positions on the Executive Board of the Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society and now works with the organization in an administrative and human resources role. As a disabled and non-binary person, she is particularly committed to accessibility, inclusion, and helping create spaces where people feel safe, respected, and heard. Amy is also an archaeologist and educator whose research focuses on Paleolithic art and human behaviour, with a particular love for Neandertals. Outside of work, she loves dogs, live music, trivia, and Gilmore Girls, and is generally delighted by opportunities to talk about any of the above. Amy is excited to join the VSAC Board, where she looks forward to sharing her skills, learning from others, and working alongside people who are passionate about supporting their community.

Grace Ndirangu (she/her) is a Kenyan woman, a proud Black leader, and a transformational advocate with over 16 years of experience in youth empowerment, gender equality, community development, and ethical leadership. She brings a global perspective to her work, shaped by her lived experiences and deep commitment to advancing equity, justice, and inclusion.
 Grace holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling Psychology from Egerton University, Kenya, and a Master of Global Management from Royal Roads University, Canada. In 2025, she received the Royal Roads University Founder’s Award in recognition of her
outstanding leadership, commitment to sustainability, and proactive contributions in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion. She is also a professional member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).
 Throughout her career, Grace has held leadership roles in program design, advocacy, policy development, and organizational management, partnering with governments, civil society, and international organizations. Her work has focused on empowering youth, women, and vulnerable communities to unlock their potential and live impactful, purposeful lives.
 Beyond her professional contributions, Grace is a devoted Christian, wife, and mother who values family, community, and service. She enjoys traveling, socializing and making friends, and photography— interests that reflect her love for people, cultures, and creativity. She is dedicated to supporting
survivors, advancing systemic change, and fostering safe, inclusive spaces for all.

Gabriela (She/Her) is an uninvited settler living on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and the Lekwungen Peoples. She brings experience in program administration, not for profit organizational management, and frontline support for at risk individuals. Gabriela holds a BA in Criminology from Thompson Rivers University and works as a Program and Administrative Coordinator. She is committed to strengthening community based services and contributing her skills to support the organization’s ongoing growth and impact. She is excited to support our work and contribute meaningfully to our collective efforts.

Brittany Scott (she/her) was born and raised on Treaty 8 territory in Thebacha (Fort Smith, Northwest Territories) , the traditional territory of the Tthebatthie Denesųłiné Nation and the Salt River First Nation.
 She moved to lək̓ʷəŋən territory (Victoria, British Columbia) in 2019 when she joined the second cohort of students in the new joint degree program in Canadian Common Law and Indigenous Legal Orders (JD/JID) at the University of Victoria.
 Brittany was called to the British Columbia bar in 2024 and now practices law in Victoria. Her practice focuses on human rights law, personal injury, employment law, and general civil litigation. Brittany believes in the value of a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive approach to legal practice.
 Having worked with the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre through Pro Bono Students Canada during law school, Brittany is excited and honoured to continue supporting VSAC’s work.