Junta Directiva
Nuestra Junta Directiva es elegida por los miembros cada año durante nuestra Reunión General Anual (AGM) de Miembros.
Cada director presta sus servicios a la Junta por un año de acuerdo con nuestra Constitución y Reglamentos.
Para el año fiscal vigente (ene-dic de este año), nuestra Junta Directiva está compuesta por los siguientes voluntarios.
Presidente
Iván Contramaestre
Ivan es un desarrollador de software que ha residido en Metro Vancouver durante más de 30 años. Cuando no está jugando a Lego en compañía de sus dos hijos, puedes verlo cantando con Los Parranderos De Vancouver. Le gusta el béisbol, la playa y trotar 3 veces por semana.
Ivan currently works as a Senior Software Developer at The University of British Columbia and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017.
Vice-President | Surrey, BC
Meriely Arias
Born in Puerto Cabello, Meriely is a coriana at heart, raised in Coro, Falcon. She has called the Lower Mainland home for over 15 years, where she lives with her husband and their children.
Originally a Graphic Designer, she followed her knack for problem-solving into a Production Planner/CRM role, where she now keeps signage projects and customers on track at one of the area’s largest print and exhibit companies.
Tesorero | Victoria, BC
Antonio Oquendo
Nacido en Caracas, Venezuela, Antonio es Abogado con Maestría en Administración de Empresas y emprendedor apasionado por el desarrollo de negocios internacionales, la transferencia de conocimiento y el empoderamiento; una pasión que pone en práctica como socio asociado en We Speak BC Inc.
Antonio está casado con Carolina, tiene dos hijas, Mariana y Sara, y llevan más de 11 años viviendo en Victoria, BC.
Secretary | Richmond, BC
Marianella Ramos
Marianella moved to Canada about 14 years ago and brings a multidisciplinary background that bridges science and the arts. She is a biologist who graduated from Simón Bolívar University, where she completed a Master’s degree in Food Science, and later pursued a second Master’s degree at the University of British Columbia.
Alongside her scientific career, she has built a strong path in music as a pianist, holding a Piano Pedagogy Diploma from the BC Conservatory of Music. For the past 10 years, she has conducted the Latin American choir Viene Sonando and is deeply passionate about fostering community through music, cultural connection, and volunteer work.
Director de Comunicaciones | Vancouver, BC
Pachi Ochoa
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Pachi is a Vancouver-based new media designer and passionate community leader specializing in digital marketing and branding. She supports Latin American cultural initiatives through outreach and creative promotion, volunteering with Latincouver and serving on the boards of Buses of Hope Spirit Society and the Latin American Film Festival.
She manages @pachiochoa.info, an Instagram platform highlighting local entrepreneurs, artists, and community events. Her work has been recognized with the Successful Women Canada Awards and a nomination for Latincouver’s Inspirational Latin Awards, reflecting her commitment to community leadership.
Director de Operaciones | Burnaby, BC
María Luces
Nacida y criada en Caracas (Venezuela), María se trasladó a Vancouver en 1990, cumpliendo su sueño de vivir en Canadá. sólo su familia en Venezuela y la oportunidad de ir a la playa todo el año. Desde entonces, se ha dedicado a apoyar a los venezolanos recién llegados, ofreciéndoles orientación sobre vivienda, búsqueda de empleo y adaptación a su nuevo entorno como forma de devolverles su buena fortuna.
Además de ser miembro colaborador de VCSBC desde sus inicios, María también creó Los Parranderos de Vancouver en 1996, llevando la alegría de las tradiciones navideñas venezolanas a latitudes canadienses. Como Directora, la pasión de María por la comunidad y la cultura seguirá inspirando y fortaleciendo a la comunidad venezolano-canadiense.
Director at Large | Vancouver, BC
Marialejandra Reyes
Marialejandra is a facilitator and coach with an engineering background, originally from Maturin, Venezuela. She is actively engaged in Canada’s nonprofit sector as a consultant, supporting organizations in strengthening organizational effectiveness, leadership development, and equity-centred capacity building. Her work focuses on initiatives supporting women and immigrant communities.
As a board member of the Venezuelan Canadian Society of BC, Marialejandra is committed to community building and creating inclusive spaces for cross-cultural dialogue that foster belonging. Outside of work, she enjoys visiting farmers’ markets, dancing, and baking Venezuelan treats, a passion she is known for in the community.