Staff & Board

Board Bios

Jeremy Scott (he/his), Chair

I grew up in Merville, BC (outside of Courtenay). After graduating high-school I did a brief stint of travel and dabbled in small business ownership before moving to Victoria to complete a BA in Political Science and Philosophy at UVic. I started my career in government during the 2017 Provincial Election, working for Elections BC. Shortly after my contract ended I won a position at the newly formed ServiceBC Contact Center. During my 5 years at ServiceBC I quickly became a Supervisor and led various teams of 30-60 CSRs, while also completing a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Human Resource Management at Royal Roads. Around that time, I got really into applying to various CABRO positions and had the opportunity to practice administrative law as an Employment and Assistance Appeals Tribunal (SDPR) member for several years. I joined core BC Government in 2022 as a Strategic HR Specialist with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, leading their career application support and Future Leaders Program. I was fortunate (after 4 failed interview attempts) to land a position in PSA as Work-Able Program Manager in Summer 2023. I live, work and learn in the ancestral and unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt nations, in what is now known as downtown Victoria. My wife and I both work primarily from home with our enormous cat, Hector. I am currently Board Chair of the Victoria Disability Resource Centre outside of work. Beyond work, I enjoy fair-weather exercise (biking/kayaking/etc.), travel, and consuming all forms of media in large volumes. Over the pandemic, my hobbies extended to fancy cooking, amateur home improvement, and chess. When budget allows, I love to travel and explore new areas of the world. I’m a cisgendered male who identifies as a person with a physical disability and a member of the LGBTIA+ community.

Email Jeremy

Caroline Calis (née Sheldrake), Vice-Chair

Caroline was born and raised on the territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. Having earned her degree in sociology from the University of Victoria, she has since joined the BC Public Service. Caroline was first introduced to the VDRC while volunteering behind the parking permitting desk. She is grateful to be back and continue to serve her community and work to ensure all citizens’ fair and equal access and participation.

Email Caroline

Layli Fard, Treasurer

With a background in energy, mining, and industrial operations, Layli has a proven track record of driving operational excellence, leading large-scale transformation programs and building high-performance teams. As someone who has always been active in volunteering and community involvement, she is deeply passionate about breaking down barriers for people with disabilities—both in society and the workplace. Having lived with an invisible disability for many years, she is driven to empower individuals within the community of people with disabilities and actively works to foster inclusive and supportive environments that promote meaningful opportunities for growth and participation.

Email Layli

Chris Sheaff, Secretary

Chris Sheaff was born in a suburb of Toronto and moved to Victoria when he was eight. His father was a government consultant and co-op coordinator/instructor at UVic, his mother was an executive director for a seniors’ services non-profit. Chris has a BA in History, MA in Communications, and post-graduate certificate in Law. Historically, he has worked in the public sector, for universities, and non-profits. He currently also sits on the boards of Cool Aid Society and Friends of Music Society. Chris is a survivor of both cancer and schizophrenia, and his motive for becoming involved in VDRC is to help people with disabilities to obtain services which minimize suffering.

Email Chris

Melanie Gold (she/her), Director

Melanie has been a dedicated Board Member with VDRC since 2021. She brings extensive experience in finance, communications, and accounting to the organization. Melanie holds a CPA designation and is currently advancing her professional career in the Public Health Sector. Growing up on Vancouver Island, Melanie has developed deep roots within the community. She is passionate about supporting those around her and advocates for healthy living.

Email Melanie

Jalisa Charles, Director

Jalisa has recently completed a Masters of Indigenous Governance and a Graduate Certificate of Indigenous Nationhood at the University of Victoria (2025).  She previously earned a Bachelor of Commerce (2022), majoring in Marketing and minoring in Psychology, which laid the foundation for her career at an Indigenous-led non-profit. There, Jalisa dedicated three years to contributing to the development of STEM curriculum, making it more accessible for Indigenous youth across Atlantic Canada. During this time, she stepped into a mentorship role, helping youth navigate a colonial academic system that wasn’t designed for everyone. This experience fueled her passion for supporting others and breaking down barriers. In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Jalisa runs a small business focused on traditional Indigenous beadwork and sewing, which she finds essential for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Creativity has become a vital outlet for her well-being. As of 2024, she has started dedicating more time to volunteer positions throughout the City of Victoria, eager to connect and contribute to her community. Jalisa is committed to creating spaces where people can fully embrace their capabilities and aspirations. She aims to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to board effectiveness and sustainable growth, continuing her work to empower others and foster positive change.

Email Jalisa

Majed El-Mohtadi, Director

Majed is a retired entrepreneur and business leader with a deep passion for increasing access to mobility solutions for people with physical disabilities. After experiencing firsthand how mobility devices transformed his own life, Majed founded a company that brought these life-changing technologies to the Middle East and Gulf regions. Driven by his personal journey, he remains committed to empowering others to regain independence and improve their quality of life through innovative mobility solutions. Majed also brings extensive expertise in strategic management, business development, and financial planning across multiple industries. On a personal level, Majed loves swimming, gymming and watching sports, especially soccer, and spending time with his family who live between Victoria, Ottawa, and Lebanon.

Email Majed

Margarita Jarrín (she/her), Director

Margarita Jarrín is a community-focused professional with over 15 years of experience in administration, communications, and stakeholder engagement across education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors in Canada and Ecuador. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, she holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Royal Roads University, where her research explored ways to strengthen inclusion for international students with disabilities and neurodiversity in Victoria’s post-secondary institutions.

As a person with a physical disability and a newcomer to Canada, Margarita has learned firsthand how to navigate complex systems and barriers in a new country. These experiences shape her strong commitment to improving accessibility and reducing attitudinal barriers so more people with disabilities can fully participate in education, employment, and community life.

Margarita is honored to serve on the Board of the Victoria Disability Resource Centre and support its mission of advancing disability inclusion in the region. She lives in Victoria with her partner Adam and their cute Mini Pin Amy Winehouse.

Email Margaritaj

Jacob Paniagua, Director

Jacobo Israel Paniagua López – “Jacob” is an entrepreneur, business leader, and community advocate with more than 15 years of experience in construction, corporate consulting, and business development across Mexico, US and Canada. He is the Founder and CEO of ROGCS Construction Services Ltd. in Victoria, where he leads residential and commercial construction projects while creating employment opportunities and supporting economic growth within the local community.

Throughout his career, Jacobo has founded and helped scale multiple companies in sectors including construction, legal and administrative consulting, mobility services, and food distribution. His businesses have expanded operations across more than 25 cities in Mexico and have generated significant economic impact through job creation, innovation, and responsible leadership. He currently serves on the boards of several organizations and contributes strategic guidance in areas such as corporate governance, financial management, and organizational development.

In addition to his professional work, Jacobo is deeply committed to community engagement and leadership. He serves as Secretary of the Board of the Vancouver Island Soccer League, Don Bosco Sobre Ruedas (in Mexico) as a board member and work on several organizations dedicated to social impact and community development.

Jacob has been happily married for nearly 20 years and is the proud father of five children—two daughters and three sons. Much of his free time is spent supporting youth sports and cheering on young athletes, reflecting his belief in the positive impact of teamwork, discipline, and community involvement. He also enjoys traveling with his wife and spending time with their family dog, Morusa.

As a board member of the Victoria Disability Resource Centre, Jacobo is committed to supporting initiatives that promote inclusion, accessibility, and opportunities for people with disabilities, helping strengthen a more equitable and supportive community for all.

Email Jacob