Q&A: Sparking Change with Zaman Velji, a BCI Community Champion

Meet Zaman Velji , Senior Managing Director, Infrastructure & Renewable Resources at BCI . While Zaman’s work takes him around the world, he finds fulfillment in giving back at home.

Zaman served on The Victoria Foundation ’s Board of Directors for the past eight years, holding roles from board chair to investment committee member, where he leveraged his unique investment background to help oversee the organization’s $500 million in assets.

Founded in 1936, the Victoria Foundation distributes $1.5 million in critical funding to non-profits in Victoria and across Canada, aligned with its mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter. As Zaman steps off this board, his passion for his local community is stronger than ever.

Q: Why did you get involved with the Victoria Foundation?

A: Community service has always been a significant aspect of my life. It stems from a sense of civic duty, as a Canadian, as well as in my upbringing as an Ismaili Muslim, which stresses the importance of serving the world at large; not as an act of charity, but rather as a path towards enlightened self-fulfillment. And it’s true: throughout my life, experiences as a volunteer have been immensely formative and personally rewarding. My involvement with the Victoria Foundation began shortly after I settled in Victoria. This work has been a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Victoria and the communities of Vancouver Island, and to show appreciation for this place I feel blessed to call home.

Q: How are you sparking change in our community?

A: There is so much that the Victoria Foundation does in our community, and it’s been an honour to have played a small part over the past eight years. A notable accomplishment of my tenure as chair was the launch of the Rapid Relief Fund at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund raised over $6 million in support of local organizations at a time of tremendous uncertainty and urgent need.

Over the years, it has also been satisfying to help evolve the Victoria Foundation’s investment mix as the size of its endowment grew. This included making investments in new asset classes, re-assessing manager relationships, and designing governance for a newly launched impact investment program. We all have an opportunity to leverage our skills and abilities to make a difference, and this was a great fit for me.

Q: What advice do you have for those looking to get involved in their communities??

A: Don’t hesitate. Even the smallest acts of compassion and service matter, and there will always be a need. By putting yourself out there, you may be surprised by where you find purpose. Hopefully it comes with new opportunities to connect with your local community and the place you call home.

If you’re interested in getting involved with the Victoria Foundation, visit victoriafoundation.bc.ca

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BCI offers every employee 14 hours of paid volunteer time each year to make a difference where we live and work. We appreciate our many team members who are champions in our communities. They are part of how we foster a culture of caring and make a positive impact for all.

Learn more about how we give back at BCI.ca/community

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