Andrea McCoy

Andrea is honoured to be a settler guest here on Turtle Island, on Xwsepsum Territory of the Lekwungen speaking peoples, where she received her Master of Arts in International and Intercultural Communication from Royal Roads University. An immigrant from the United States, she traveled abroad, made cultural mistakes and learned that when listening is combined with curiosity, incredible relationships can be made. 

Her post graduate work included refugee settlement services with VIRCS, Community Engagement Manger for the Refugee Sponsorship Program, and prior to coming to Canada, she worked with newcomers, refugees and immigrants in Portland, Oregon. She considers everyone she meets as gift from our big global family. She is the Proprietor of Janklin, a communications consulting firm in Victoria, BC, enabling businesses to see the strength of their workforce through communication strategies, providing space for cultural change and elevating the perspectives employees can offer. In 2023 she launched a podcast “Canadian Salad” where she dialogues with other immigrants on their integration and their cultural experience in Canada.

She is thankful for this opportunity to continue to serve VIRCS, enabling more resources for the global majority and making Victoria an inclusive, generous and respectful City​.