Staff
The Maritime Museum of BC is run by a small staff with many dedicated volunteers, including those who serve on the Board of Directors.
Executive Director – Brittany Vis (she/her)
bvis@mmbc.bc.ca
Brittany is a third generation Dutch immigrant originally from Stó:lō Nation territory in Abbotsford BC. She has a BA in English and History from the University of Victoria and a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from Western University. In addition to her library background, she has specialized training in archives and museums, including exhibit design. She loves all things ocean related and is a big fan of stories and uncovering hidden secrets in the Museum’s collection.
Brittany has been involved with the Maritime Museum of BC since 2012 and has held a variety of roles with it since then. She currently serves as Executive Director, overseeing museum operations. When she’s not at work she can be found exploring Vancouver Island sites, walking her dog, or curled up with a good book and a mug of tea.
Covering for maternity leave
School and Public Programs Manager – Stephanie (she/her)
Stephanie is originally from the traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations (“Vancouver”). She holds a B.Sc. (honours) in Environmental Science & Geography from Queen’s University and a Master’s of Museum Education from the University of British Columbia. She is also a Certified Volunteer Administrator.
Previously, Stephanie coordinated learning and education opportunities at museum and science centre settings in Vancouver and the United States. Her interests are in educational program design, inquiry learning, youth leadership, and all things ocean! She believes strongly in encouraging curiosity and a shared sense of community with everyone she works with. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her digging around the intertidal zone looking for wiggly creatures.
At the Maritime Museum, Stephanie creates and leads curriculum-based school programming, public programs for toddlers, adults, and seniors, and manages the delivery of outreach and onsite programming to members of all of Victoria’s diverse communities.
On maternity leave
School and Public Programs Manager – Laura Robin (she/her)
lrobin@mmbc.bc.ca
Laura is originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she received her B.A. in History and B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan. A teacher by training, Laura worked in elementary school classrooms for 5 years before moving closer to the ocean and coast she now teaches about at the Maritime Museum. A great love of museums and informal education environments led Laura to complete her Master’s of Museum Education from the University of British Columbia in 2019.
At the Maritime Museum, Laura creates and leads curriculum-based school programming, public programs for toddlers, adults, and seniors, and manages the delivery of outreach and onsite programming to members of all of Victoria’s diverse communities.
Collections and Exhibits Manager – Heather Feeney (she/her)
hfeeney@mmbc.bc.ca
Heather is originally from Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario – home of the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside of Germany.
She received her B.A. in Art History nearby at the University of Guelph, followed by a diploma in Museum Management and Curatorship from Fleming College in Peterborough.
Shortly after graduating, she found herself drawn to collections management, working at a variety of large and small museums as well as historic houses. After a number of years amongst the dinosaurs in Drumheller, Alberta, Heather moved to Victoria in 2022.
As the Collections and Exhibits Manager, Heather now cares for the Museum’s collection, manages a dedicated team of volunteers, and works to create upcoming exhibits.
Events and Development Manager – Anya Zanko (she/her)
azanko@mmbc.bc.ca
Anya is from Ridgeway, Ontario–the site of the 1866 Battle of Ridgeway–on the lands of the Haudenosaunee people, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and the Attiwonderonk.
She received a B.A. (Hon.) in English Literature and History from McGill University and a Master’s of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto. After working for a few years in professional development and conference management, she moved to Lekwungen territory in 2020. Previously, she worked in community museums and with genealogy groups, focusing on database and archival management.
When not at work, she is patterning and making textile objects from secondhand materials, and going for walks by the ocean.
She is the Crabtoberfest crab mascot, and manages the logistics for all of the Museum’s exciting events throughout the year, and assists with grants, marketing, and social media.
Volunteer & Visitor Centre Coordinator – Sarah Board (she/her)
sboard@mmbc.bc.ca
Growing up in Victoria, Sarah’s love for the ocean began as a child on the beaches of Qualicum. Her parents claim that it was very difficult to pry her away. Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Victoria and her Masters in Museum Education from the University of British Columbia. She also is a licenced Early Childhood Educator and has a Foundations in Volunteer Management Certificate. She has worked in ocean education for over twenty years and has supported volunteers is various capacities throughout that time. Sarah is an avid dancer and supporter of the Victoria performing arts scene.
As the Volunteer and Visitor Centre Coordinator at the Maritime Museum, Sarah oversees and supports the many valued volunteers and ensures the museums visitors feel welcomed.
Collections Assistant – Kym Aerts (she/her)
collections@mmbc.bc.ca
Kym helps maintain the Maritime Museums extensive collection with Heather and a lovely team of volunteers. Her current project is inventorying and digitizing the Museums collection of BC Nautical Charts.
Kym is a third year student at UVIC who is hoping to get her bachelors in History with an Art History minor and go to Grad School for Public Administration. She was born and raised here on Lək̓ʷəŋən territory. This is Kym’s first job at a museum, she previously worked at the Campbell River Art Gallery. When she isn’t working Kym enjoys watching movies, writing needlessly complicated reviews of said movies, embroidery and attempting to knit.”
Events and Marketing Assistant – Haeden Walker (he/him)
events@mmbc.bc.ca
As the Events and Marketing Assistant at the Maritime Museum, Haeden assists the Events and Development Manager, Anya, in creating captivating and exciting projects our visitors love to share and be a part of. Haeden is from the traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations (“Victoria”). Having lived in Victoria his whole life has given him a deep appreciation for the ocean and the surrounding environment.
Haeden is currently working towards a BCom degree from the University of Victoria, after spending a year doing business courses at Camosun College. He knows he will be able to apply much of the knowledge and experience he gains from the Maritime Museum of British Columbia into the continuation of his education and his future career path.
When not at work, he is usually found walking along the ocean, hiking up Mount Work, or in the ocean surfing during surf season.
Programs Assistant – Skyla Thomas (she/her)
programs@mmbc.bc.ca
Skyla is excited to work with Stephanie to facilitate the creation of lifelong memories of the Maritime Museum of BC through stories, crafts, tours, and maybe a singalong or two!
Skyla was born and raised in Sydney (Gadigal Land), Australia, before she moved to Canada in 2010. Since 2010, she has lived in North Vancouver on the traditional territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and in Ladysmith on the traditional territory of the Stz’uminus First Nation.
She is currently in her third year at UVic, studying political science. In her free time, Skyla enjoys discovering new cafes, perusing record stores, and watching and taking part in theatre arts.
Volunteer Librarian – Judy Thompson (she/her)
“I started working in libraries in the early 1960s but didn’t get my MLS degree (Master of Library Science) until 1981 (at UBC). My undergraduate degree (BA) was from the University of Saskatchewan. Prior to my retirement, I spent about 15 years as an international election administrator in over 20 countries coming out of war or dictatorships. After retiring, I started volunteering as a librarian for various groups so I could use my skills again. I joined the team at the Maritime Museum in 2012.”
Contacting Us About Donations
As a non-profit museum, we accept different kinds of donations. Here’s your quick guide to the best person to contact for the kind of donation you would like to make:
For donations to the Collections, please email info@mmbc.bc.ca.
For donations to the annual Massive Marine & Outdoor Garage Sale, please contact Anya Zanko at azanko@mmbc.bc.ca.
For year round donations of marine goods, contact Steve Ohman at Tradewinds Boaters Exchange at 778-351-0011
To make a monetary donation, please contact us at info@mmbc.bc.ca
We thank you in advance for any donation you wish to make!