Board of directors
Our Board of Directors is elected by the membership every year during our Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Members.
Each director serves the Board for one year according to our Constitution and Bylaws.
For the current Fiscal Year (Jan-Dec of this year) and until the following AGM, our Board of Directors is composed of the following volunteers.
President | Burnaby, BC
Ivan Contramaestre
Ivan is a Software Developer that has resided in Metro Vancouver for more than 30 years. When he is not playing Lego, or watching “Brooklyn 99” in the company of his two children, you can see him performing with Los Parranderos De Vancouver, walking his dog or volunteering at the North East Burnaby Community Association (another non-profit). He likes baseball, the beach, and jogging 3 times a week.
Ivan currently works as a Senior Software Developer at The University of British Columbia and this is his 8th year as a member of the Board of Directors.
Vice-President | Vancouver, BC
Javier Badillo
Javier is a film-maker and musician residing in Vancouver since 2002. When he is not rolling film in his camera or singing in concerts with his rock band “Caracas”, he is processing books at the Vancouver Public Library or preparing Lattés at The Laughing Bean café.
Javier was the recipient of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2019.
Treasurer | Victoria, BC
Antonio Oquendo
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Antonio is a Lawyer with a Masters Degree in Business Administration and an entrepreneur with a passion for international business development, knowledge transfer and empowerment; a passion that he brings into practice as a partner associate at We Speak BC Inc.
Antonio is married with Carolina, has two daughters – Mariana and Sara – and they have been living in Victoria, BC for more than 11 years.
Secretary | Victoria, BC
Maribet Balestena
After living in the United States for almost 40 years, Maribet moved to beautiful Victoria in 2018, where she now lives with her husband. She is a graduate from the University of Miami where she received a Bachelor Degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture and a Master Degree in Urban Planning. In 2021, Maribet became a certified Pastry Chef Expert in Healthy Baking.
Serving others is a great joy of hers, which led her to become a member of VCSBC in an effort to share the Venezuelan culture, and aid those in need in Venezuela and abroad through the funds raised at our events.
Director of Communications | Vancouver, BC
Pachi Ochoa
A New Media Designer graduate from BCIT, specialized in digital marketing, Pachi is an outreach coordinator and cultural promoter who works with various non-profit organizations. She has volunteered with Latincouver and VCSBC for many years. She also serves on the Board of Directors at VLAFF and Buses of Hope, where she raises awareness and assists Venezuelans’ forced migration.
On Instagram’s @pachinewmedia, she promotes entrepreneurs and local artists while informing about local events. Her dedication earned her the Successful Women Canada Awards (2022, 2023, 2024) and a 2023 Latincouver Inspirational Latin Awards nomination.
Director of Operations | Burnaby, BC
Maria Luces
Born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, Maria moved to Vancouver in 1990, fulfilling her dream of living in Canada, she misses only her family in Venezuela and the opportunity to go to the beach all year round. Since then, she has dedicated herself to supporting Venezuelan newcomers, offering guidance on housing, job searches, and adapting to their new environment as a means to repay her good fortunes.
Besides being a collaborating member of VCSBC since its inception, Maria also created Los Parranderos de Vancouver in 1996, bringing the joy of Venezuelan Christmas traditions to Canadian latitudes. As a Director, Maria’s passion for community and culture will continue to inspire and strengthen the Venezuelan-Canadian community.
Director at Large | Surrey, BC
Meriely Arias
Born in Puerto Cabello, Meriely jokes she was only there the day she was born. Raised in Coro, Falcon, she identifies as a coriana through and through. Together with her husband, they have been calling the Lower Mainland home for over 15 years now, where they welcomed their two kids.
While working as a Graphic Designer, Meriely discovered she thrived on assisting customers with their questions and needs about signage. As a result, she made the jump and now works as a Production Planner/CRM for one of the largest print and exhibit companies in the Lower Mainland.