Strategy Formulation & Implementation
Victoria-based Housing Society
Context

With a new Executive Director at the helm, the Greater Victoria Housing Society engaged Wirk Consulting to provide Strategy Formulation & Implementation support to develop a new Strategic Plan, building on the organization’s nearly 70-year history of providing affordable rental housing in Victoria.

Approach
  • Engaged with all staff over a series of focus groups to bring them into process early and seek their input about the future.
  • Designed and facilitated a series of in-person workshops with the Board and Leadership Team to refresh their Vision and Mission, articulate their Values, and clarify their Goals and Strategic Priorities.
Outcome
  • A Strategic Framework for the creation and management of affordable, quality rental homes, contributing to thriving communities.
Here’s what our clients say about our work together.
01

Ashka Wirk is an exceptional business and strategic planning consultant. With her expert guidance and facilitation, we created a clear and aspirational strategic plan that will ensure we continue to meet growing affordable housing needs in Greater Victoria. She is extremely organized and knowledgeable with a thorough planning approach that teased out our bold ideas, trends, and risks to ensure our organization could be successful into the future. She was also very skillful at facilitating discussions with our leadership, front line staff, and board. What I really appreciated about Ashka was the advice she provided throughout the process while reflecting her breath of experience. I would highly recommend Ashka and look forward to working with her again in the future.

- Virginia Holden
Executive Director, Greater Victoria Housing Society
02

Ashka Wirk was an absolute pleasure to work with. She was adept at facilitating discussions with our front-line team, our leadership and our Board of Directors, ensuring everyone felt engaged and respected. Ashka pushed us to be bold and creative, and also gave us the tools to stay practical and focused. The end result of Ashka’s wonderful leadership is a Strategic Plan supported by all levels of our organization and a tactical plan that will allow us to achieve our goals. I would highly recommend working with the Wirk Consulting team.

- Claire MacLean
CEO, SHARE Family & Community Services Society
03

Ashka Wirk is an exceptional facilitator and strategic planning consultant. I have had the immense pleasure of working with her on a number of initiatives, including our recent 5-year strategic plan at YWCA Metro Vancouver where she facilitated community listening and board planning sessions. She is thoughtful, flexible and always willing to jump in with tactful advice and guidance to keep projects on track.

- Erin Seeley
CEO, YWCA Metro Vancouver
04

EVA BC has worked with Ashka Wirk on a number of diverse projects and initiatives over the years. Ashka always helps us move to where we want to and ensures we get where we need to. Ashka is thoughtful, intelligent, highly skilled, and a pleasure to work with. We look forward to working with Ashka again in the future.

- Ninu Kang
Executive Director, Ending Violence Association of BC
05

Emerging from the pandemic shutdown of [the performing arts] industry, our organization needed a strategic plan to guide us toward our “new normal”. We needed a plan that was grounded in reality, distilled from extensive consultations with board and staff. Ashka Wirk designed and guided us through a process that worked beautifully. We have vision, mission and values statements and a strategic framework and tactical plan on which we will focus several years. Ashka’s mastery of this process is impressive and I recommend her to anyone!

- Franz Lehrbass
Executive Director, Royal and McPherson Theatres Society
06

Working with Ashka Wirk was an incredible experience that exceeded our expectations in every way. Her professionalism, dedication, and expertise were second to none, and she went above and beyond to understand our unique business needs and challenges. She provided invaluable guidance and insights that helped us develop a strategic roadmap for our growth plan. We highly recommend Ashka to anyone looking for a strategic partner to guide their growth plan. We feel fortunate to have had her expertise and guidance throughout our journey.

- Rob Cupello
VP, Business Development, NowMedia Group
07

I hired Ashka Wirk to lead Beacon Community Services’ Board of Directors Visioning Day after she came recommended from a number of people. I was impressed by her ability to command a room and get people on board with ideas — even people who were initially on completely different pages. Ashka is extremely professional, efficient, and understands how to work with groups of professionals to develop a shared vision. I highly recommend her.

- Tricia Gueulette
CEO, Beacon Community Services
08

We engaged Ashka Wirk to help our Minister’s Advisory Group to develop a strategy and network for regenerative agriculture and agritech in BC. Ashka brings a structured, engaging, and results-focused approach to stakeholder engagement and strategic planning. She became an integral partner to the Co-chairs and the Secretariat team. You and your organization will be glad you engaged Ashka!

- Glen Lougheed
Co-chair, Provincial Minister's Advisory Group
09

I am so very pleased for this opportunity to provide an enthusiastic endorsement for Ashka Wirk. Our office engaged her consultancy services to lead in strategic plan development as well as a workplace culture pulse check. Both were done with an outstanding degree of professionalism, engagement and tact. Staff personally benefited from Ashka’s development support, and collectively, our team continues with focus and a vision that Ashka helped us set out. Highly recommended!

- Jerymy Brownridge
Private Secretary to Lieutenant Governor of BC & Executive Director of Government House
10

I highly recommend Ashka Wirk if you or your organization are considering undertaking the work of stakeholder engagement, strategic planning or change management. Ashka has a deep knowledge of strategy and change management. She is engaging, whip smart and empowers leaders and organizations to do the work required to create compelling, visions and missions and most importantly how to implement and live the goals and priorities. She has been a great asset to us!

- Michelle Koski
Former CEO, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
11

Ashka Wirk became my coach after we were connected through a mentorship program at UVic. Throughout the past two years she has coached me through my journey of navigating my career as a new grad, and has served as a sounding board that has helped me to pursue opportunities I might not have otherwise. I would highly recommend Ashka to other young leaders interested in a coach to help them explore, reflect, and take action.

- Emma Chester
Consultant, Deloitte Canada
12

Ashka Wirk has played an instrumental role in facilitating strategic planning with our Sophie’s Place Team to evolve and elevate the Lower Mainland’s first fully integrated Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. Ashka strikes a wonderful balance between group engagement that respects the complex dynamics of interdisciplinary teams and crystallizing a compelling strategic Vision and Plan.

- Gerard Bremault
CEO, The Centre for Child Development of the Lower Mainland
13

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ashka Wirk for several years now on multiple projects, large and small. Her experience and guidance were a key resource in leading us to develop our last strategic plan and helping to organize those strategic priorities into an achievable operational plan. Ashka takes time to invest herself in understanding the specific goals and outcomes desired and translates that understanding into logical and approachable actions that yield tangible results. I would encourage anyone looking for leadership coaching or strategic planning to consider Wirk Consulting.

- Chris Reed
COO, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
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