Vanessa Wachuku, President

Vanessa is a visionary public policy strategist, human rights researcher, and community advocate with over 26 years of experience across Canada’s public, private, nonprofit, and academic sectors. She is currently completing her Doctorate in Public Policy at Toronto Metropolitan University, where her research focuses on immigration policy, newcomer integration, and systemic reform. Vanessa has led initiatives that advance equity, inclusion, and community resilience. She contributes extensively to the field of immigration through publications, engagement and presentations in domestic and international platforms such as the International Public Policy Association. She is also a published writer where she has addressed anti-racism, youth safety,and the need for sustained recognition beyond symbolic gestures. In 2024, Vanessa was appointed to Prince Edward Island’s Provincial Anti-Racism Table, helping shape initiatives to combat systemic racism. In addition to her role at IRSA, Vanessa serves as President of Canadian Parents for French PEI and Vice President of the Black Cultural Society of PEI. She lives in Charlottetown with her family and remains deeply committed to building a more inclusive and welcoming future for all Islanders.

Dan Doran, Vice President

Dan received his post-secondary education in Business Administration at Holland College and St. Mary's University. After a career in the Federal Public Service as a CRA Excise Officer with several years on assignment as an Immigration Officer and a Supervisor of Immigration for PEI, he is now retired. He has extensive experience as a volunteer and board member with the Canadian Hemophilia Society, Canadian Blood Services, Hospice PEI, and the former PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada. He was a volunteer coordinator for refugee sponsorship with the RC Diocese of PEI and currently serves as the Chair of the Refugee Committee for St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish. Dan lives in Charlottetown with his wife Tracy and their two dogs.

Gloria Crockett, Treasurer

Gloria Crockett serves as the Director of Regulatory and Financial Planning at Maritime Electric Company, Limited. A highly skilled Chartered Professional Accountant, Gloria brings over twenty-five years of extensive experience across several key areas, including accounting, financial reporting, taxation, internal controls, forecasting, and utility regulation. Born and raised in eastern Prince Edward Island, Gloria's roots run deep within the community. She is a proud graduate of the University of Prince Edward Island's Business Administration Program, where she laid the foundation for her distinguished career in finance and regulation. Gloria lives in Stratford with her husband and two children.

Elizabeth Hincapie, Secretary

Elizabeth Hincapie immigrated to Canada in 2019 and is now a Canadian citizen living in Charlottetown, PEI. She has a professional background in finance, with experience both in Colombia and in Canada, and currently works for the Government of Prince Edward Island as a pension Specialist. Elizabeth is passionate about supporting newcomers and building inclusive communities. She has been involved in local immigrant networks such as the Asociación de Latinos de PEI, and she actively serves in a bilingual church founded by Latino immigrants. She is also a proud mother, balancing her professional and community commitments with family life.

Corinne Chappell

Corinne Chappell, a member of the Mi'kmaq First Nations, assumed the role of Advisor to the VPAR on Indigenous Affairs at UPEI in 2021. Her responsibilities encompass the planning, development, and implementation of Indigenous initiatives, providing guidance on stakeholder collaborations, and helping develop a better understanding of and response to the Calls to Action related to post-secondary education as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's final report. Ms. Chappell has been instrumental in the establishment of the new Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies. Holding Master of Education degrees from UPEI and St. Francis Xavier University, she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education at Western University. With over twenty years of teaching experience at the high school level, she co-founded and chaired the PEITF Aboriginal Education Advisory Committee and is an active member of the National Indigenous University Senior Leaders' Association. Additionally, Ms. Chappell is renowned as a Mi'kmaq artisan, blending traditional styles with modern fashion in her creations.

Jeff Dingwell

Jeff Dingwell holds a Red Seal endorsement in Automotive Technology, a Certificate in Adult Education, and a Master of Education in 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Following a dedicated 20-year career as faculty member within the automotive program at Holland College. He now serves as an Instructional Designer for the college's Curriculum Services and Customized Training departments. He brings robust governance and leadership experience to the board, serving as a faculty representative on both the Holland College Board of Governors and the recent Presidential Search Committee. Outside of work, Jeff chairs the Session of Elders for the Peter Gordon Memorial United Church and recently chaired a successful minister search committee. His extensive volunteer background includes over a decade as the Provincial Technical Chair for Skills Canada PEI and National Technical Committee Co-Chair for Skills Canada. Jeff also spent several years as a 4-H leader and youth soccer coach. He lives in Scotchfort with his wife, Amanda, and their two children.

Lucas MacArthur

Lucas MacArthur is a lawyer based in Charlottetown. He is a strong advocate for youth engagement in public affairs, having served as the UPEI Student Union President and the Chair of the City of Charlottetown Youth Engagement Committee, and currently serving as a board member of Fusion Charlottetown. Lucas contributes to his community through his work as a member of the City of Charlottetown's Heritage Board and a board member of Pat & the Elephant. Knowing the importance of mental health awareness, funding, and support, Lucas is also a proud board member of the PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being.

To IRSA, Lucas brings a commitment to community service and good governance. He hopes to use his skills to positively impact new immigrants settling in the province of Prince Edward Island.

Shashi Kolloju

Shashi Kolloju, a professional engineer and member of Engineers PEI, is a Project Manager with the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation. An electrical engineer by training, he is also a registered advocate in India and holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Trade Relations from Italy, blending technical expertise with commercial insight. With over 20 years of experience in six countries, Shashi has led national-scale infrastructure projects in the Gulf, driven industry modernization, advanced employee reform, and contributed to regulatory system design. His global perspective and leadership experience bring strategic value to mandates such as those of IRSA, where innovation, community engagement, newcomer support, and cross-sector collaboration are essential.

Tony Vu

Tony Vu is a business and community leader with a professional background in sales, marketing, business development, and management. Originally from Vietnam, Tony immigrated to Prince Edward Island with his family in 2019 and has since built a successful career while becoming actively involved in the local community.

His own journey as an immigrant has given him a deep appreciation for the opportunities, challenges, and resilience involved in building a new life in Canada. Tony is passionate about supporting newcomers, strengthening multicultural connections, and helping create a more welcoming and inclusive community.

As a member of the IRSA Board of Directors, Tony brings a combination of leadership experience, business perspective, lived immigrant experience, and a strong commitment to giving back to the community he now calls home.

Trung Ngo

Trung Dung Ngo is a Professor at the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE), the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). He received a Ph.D. degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Robotics), Aalborg University, and an MSc. degree in Computer System Engineering (Robotics) from the University of Southern Denmark. Dr. Ngo is the founding director of the More-Than-One Robotics laboratory and the lead researcher of the Centre for Excellence in Robotics and Industrial Automation. Before joining UPEI, he was the faculty member of the Department of Electronic Systems, Aalborg University and the Faculty of Science, University of Brunei.

Dr. Ngo has supervised two postdoctoral researchers and more than 40 Ph.D. and Master students to date. He received the best paper award, the best video presentation award, and was the finalist for the research work with his graduate students. He was the recipient of the UPEI Faculty Association's Merit Award for Scholarly Achievement in 2020. Dr. Ngo is a Senior Member of IEEE and a Professional Engineer registered at Engineers PEI, Canada.