Meet theDock Team
Dedicated, with a passion for community.
Colin Richards, Community Manager
Colin (he/him) has worked in and for coworking spaces for the past ten years, the past two and a half years as Community/Operations Manager. He’s been a barista, bartender, corporate video producer, a community activist and excels at the hospitality/account management side of coworking. He loves learning what his members are working on, finding opportunities for collaboration, making connections and animating the space.
Eric Buhne, Community Coordinator
Eric (he/him) joined theDock in 2019 as a dockHand to get space for his team at Curbside Community Farms Cooperative. After working intermittently for theDock and other food security organizations, he started as theDock’s Social Coordinator. Eric works to animate and support the community through events, programs, entertaining member communications, among other activities, while pursuing a Master in Community Development at UVic and continuing to build Curbside with his team.
Emily mahbobi, facilities and systems COORDINATOR
Emily (she/her) joined theDock in October 2023, bringing a diverse background to her role. With a BMus from the UVic, she has been the COO at Quadratic Sound Inc, a music studio and community event space, since 2020. In 2022, she was elected to the Board of Education for the Greater Victoria School District (No. 61). Outside of her many professional roles, Emily is also a pianist and producer specializing in modular synthesizers. Her passion for creating vibrant connections extends into her roles as she navigates the coworking space, educational policies, and Victoria’s diverse music community.
Jade chicorelli, Dockhand coordinator
Jade (she/they/he) is an evocative, energetic, and excitable piratey-clowny professional. They began their journey at theDock as the Dockhand Coordinator, or gentle Captain, of the Crew in 2023. Jade has recently completed their B.A in Psychology, Enviromental Studies, and Human Dimensions of Climate Change. They have been a landscaper, nanny, barista, cook, cleaner, horse groomer, caterer, care giver, photographer, facilitator, research intern in climate, consultant, and organizer! Phew! Alongside this randomized list of can dos, Jade is crazy about swing dance, clowning, improv, and all things growing.
Climb aboard theDockHand Crew, and become a member of this wonderfully diverse and silly community!
Meet the Dockhand Volunteer Crew!
Dockhands are the official jack of all trades crew members of theDock! They manage the functional front helm flow of theDock, all while embodying the fun and fellowship of a social impact community. Becoming a Dockhand is an invitation to directly partake in creating and maintaining the space of social impact itself. Uniquely, Dockhands navigate the vessel between responsibility and opportunity, the experience of the program is shaped by Dockhands themselves. Discover the possibilities of your exchange below!
Patty Disbrow
Patty Disbrow (she/they) is well into their second year as a Dockhand, and remains an active driver of community with her passions of connection and justice! She has a professional background in childhood education and massage. Their balance of Joy, Creativity, Movement, and Laughter leads naturally into offering Games Night, Mending Circle, Plant Collection, and massage (by donation) at theDock.
Matthew Enright
Matt (he/him) is a filmmaker from Victoria BC. He attended Capilano University’s motion picture production program. Upon graduation he moved into production management working on such major shows as “Arrow”, Chip and Potato”, “Snoopy in Space”, “The Snoopy Show”, and “Rick and Morty”. He recently started the docuseries “TALK SHOW” chronicling the stories of idiosyncratic locals. The first episodes feature filmmaker and “Gun N Gun” festival creator Joel McCarthy (Dir: I Am Hitchcock), multifaceted musician Zee& (Zac McMillan), and “A Home For Hooves” animal sanctuary founder Michelle Singelton. When he is not making movies, he can usually be at a live show, movie theatre, or thrift store. His series is available on YouTube and Spotify at https://linktr.ee/matenrig.
Alana Woehry
Alana (she/her) became a dockHand to learn the tools and confidence that will support her re-entering into her role as a community support worker. In this role, she specializes in crisis response and mental health. When she is not working, she is almost always found walking dogs, or playing guitar.
Erik Tubert
AErik (he/him) is a passionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact and assisting others.
“I pride myself on being a resourceful and creative problem solver, with strengths in strategic planning, project management, process optimization, and effective communication. I love meeting people and making meaningful connections.”
Teagan D.
Teagan (she/her) started at theDock in 2024. She has worked for several not-for-profits and organizations in the social impact sector, primarily those with a focus on community building and the environment. She loves to volunteer, and meet and connect with cool people, so being a dockhand is a great experience. Some things that get her excited include podcasting, bike commuting, rock climbing, and getting deeply into a book for several months.
Belén Cedeño Blacio
Belén (she/her) joined the dockHand in 2024. Belen has worked as a communication for several organizations that provide care and attention to gender-based violence and programs that promote sexual and reproductive rights in Ecuador. Belen is interested in building community, promoting gender equality, and generating spaces for social and political transformation.
Ruthven S.
Ruthven (she/her) is an enthusiastic learning devotee dedicated to contributing to community spaces like the Dock. A person of countless interests, Ruthven delights at the opportunity to interact with Dock members and learn about the wonderful things they use the space for. In her spare time, Ruthven dances, bakes sweet treats, crafts, explores the outdoors, and reads books from the Staff Picks section of the public library. Ruthven joined the Dock in late 2023 to access a comfortable study space for her university classes. You can find her in the floor kitchen making a cup of tea.
Arsham Saeidi-Pour
Arsham (he/him) discovered the Dockhand program while seeking a space to record his course, Financial Intelligence 2.0. He's the founder of two dynamic startups. Mint Mantis, a talent and management consulting agency, is dedicated to assisting artists to build business from art. His second venture, Sookie, is an investment platform that bridges the gap between values-based investors and community-driven startups and social enterprises for private placement investments.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Arsham is an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoys long-distance running, swimming, basketball, and exploring hidden gems around town.
Siyu Chen
Siyu (he/him/his) is new to Canada and Victoria. Before coming here, he lived in Hong Kong, another city whose name used to be "Victoria". Siyu has joined theDock as a Dockhand since early February and he suddenly loves this place and the time he stays here. Siyu is working on a local not-for-profit organization and is trying to participate in as many local events as possible. He also loves reading, attending concerts, and seeing films in his spare time.
Karleena Parmar
Karleena (they/any) - Hey! I'm Karleena! I am passionate and driven, striving to create regenerative support within my communities. I am currently studying sociology at UVIC. My passions include environmentalism, sociology, photography/art and overall care for the planet and people. I hold strong values centered around mutual aid, decolonization, and community-based support systems. I am currently a board member for Wild Embrace Farm Society and Curbside Co-op and an active member of the UVSS gender empowerment center at UVIC. I joined the dockhand program because I was striving to fill my day with fulfillment and meaning, and Eric suggested I join! Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive! I am always down to chat about anything social, community, or political related or really anything, so feel free to say hi! I am very excited to see what the future holds here at the Dock and look forward to connecting with you.
Bo Jurcevic
Bo (She/her) a serial entrepreneur, had her hand in a cross-section of industries from manufacturing, trades, finance and management consulting. She is passionate about empowering individuals, collaboration and showing people they have agency. In all her business ventures she has unconsciously applied this mindset for her clients and team. She is now intention in growing a business to create space for human potential by showing that doing business for good is good business - starting with the health and wellness industry. Joining The Dockside is a community where collaboration and social impact is in the forefront. Bo is very excited to be a part of this community, having the opportunity to collaborate and learn from other Dock members.
Aiden Bull
Hi, my name is Aiden (he/him), and I am a software developer and a human person. I enjoy learning and find many subjects to be fascinating. I am currently unemployed and as such, I have been spending a lot of time at home. This is an unpleasant situation for me. I am happier around others, and I struggle with productivity when I'm home. The Dockhand program gives me both reason and means to get out of the house. I volunteer 5 hours of my week, and in return, I get access to the space and the community. I find that people here are very friendly and welcoming. They are generally happy to chat, to learn about you, and to share their experiences. This is important to me because I find having positive interactions with others gives me the most joy.
Jacob La Rocque-Wall
Jacob (he/they) is an artist and musician who’s interests range from listening to 100 gecs, to playing basketball, to playing basketball while listening to 100 gecs.
Ask him about philosophy or science or how to fill the coffee machine or how to get into the bike room.
Stay tuned for his next workshop, coming soon to a theDock near you!
Sam Park
Sam (she/her) started with the Dockhand program since late 2023, when she found the space through the gaming club she is a part of. Sam has a diverse portfolio of working in the customer service industry and even working in HR, which she plans to do after graduating college. In her free time, Sam enjoys video games, playing with her cat, and budgeting. Sam is really enjoying not only the coworking aspect, but also with the sense of community within theDock, and can't wait to see what else is in store!
Nazmul Chowdhury
Nazmul (he/Him), a seasoned marketing strategist and transformation leader, is adept in design thinking and customer-centric innovation. After graduating with an MBA in Strategic Marketing from Birmingham City University, UK, in (2005-2006), Nazmul is currently pursuing an Executive MBA in Management Consulting at Royal Roads University. With a career spanning over 16 years, he led the brand and marketing communications for American Express and the two largest commercial banks in Asia Pacific, showcasing a remarkable track record in developing impactful brand and marketing programs. Notably, he played a pivotal role in renewing the brand identity and launching the American Express franchise at The City Bank in 2009. His extensive career spans top advertising agencies and financial institutions, earning him recognition such as the '2010 Global Marketing Award' from American Express Inc. Nazmul's earlier experience includes heading the Account Planning division in three global creative agencies (Leo Burnett, McCann and MediaCom). As a seasoned speaker, he has presented at conferences across South Asia and the Asia Pacific region, focusing on unleashing the power of relationship marketing for incumbent banks.
Victoria's social impact community, providing workspace, services, learning, and connection for Vancouver Island changemakers
theDock is a social enterprise created for community, by community. We provide work and event space, connection, access to learning, and unique events within an inspiring culture.
Our overarching vision is a connected and impactful social change sector in Victoria, BC.
Impact businesses, community organizations and social entrepreneurs have access to coworking space, offices, meeting rooms and event spaces. Space makes it possible to pilot and test initiatives, bring community together, startup and scale impact.
Our story
In 2014, theDock opened its doors in FanTan Alley, in Victoria’s Chinatown, providing work and event space for social purpose entrepreneurs and organizations. In 2016 theDock moved to its current home at 722 Cormorant Street, a beautiful and bright space in heart of downtown.
Scale Collaborative became owners of theDock in June 2019. Scale believes in the tremendous power of social purpose organizations to transform community. Scale works to strengthen the social enterprise, social procurement and social finance ecosystem on Vancouver Island. We believe that providing space for collaboration and the incubation of ideas is key to a connected and supported social impact sector.
Contact us today to book a free trial day, organize your next event or just have a chat
Our Office
300-722 Cormorant Street
Victoria, BC, V8W 1P8
Canada
GETTING TO THEDOCK BROCHURE
View the brochure to explore nearby parking options and bus routes.