Vija joined Brightside after a diverse career of over 30 years with the Canadian federal government, holding senior management positions with Public Works and Government Services and the Canadian Coast Guard. She began her work life with Bachelor of Science and graduate courses in business, but has been learning ever since and has specialized training in purchasing and contracting, human resources, industrial relations, and project management. Vija has significant experience with financial and long-range business planning, delivery of complex operations over large geographical areas, conflict resolution and staff relations, and international conferences. As a result, Vija often refers to herself jokingly as a “professional generalist.”
After leaving government, Vija worked for three years with Vancouver Shipyards Ltd. as a contract specialist, and several years with Transport Canada on a project with the Oceans Protection Program. Today Vija’s focus is on giving back to the community, and in addition to Brightside she volunteers and sits on the Board of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus.
Vija’s personal passion is travel and photography, and although she has already visited over 25 countries and been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the tips of the Andes, her future adventure list still remains long.