The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is pleased to welcome Barry O’Riordan as Interim Senior Project Manager. Barry brings extensive experience in economic development, strategic planning, and regional collaboration, along with a strong commitment to building resilient and prosperous communities across Vancouver Island.
In this interim role, Barry will support organizational continuity, coordinate priority projects, and maintain momentum on key partnerships and initiatives as VIEA transitions to a new CEO.
Experience in regional economic development
Originally from Ireland, Barry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Arts in Economic Policy Evaluation and Planning from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
His professional experience spans government, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector, including work in economic development, strategic planning, community organization management, and regional collaboration.
From 2019 to early 2026, Barry served as Manager of Economic Development Cowichan at the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). During his tenure, he worked closely with local governments, First Nations, industry associations, and community partners to advance economic development initiatives throughout the region.
His work also included serving on the boards of the Island Agriculture Show and the Vancouver Island Coast Economic Developers Association (VICEDA), where he contributed to regional partnerships, including the development of the Circular Economy Accelerator Program in collaboration with Synergy Foundation.
A lasting connection to Vancouver Island
Barry’s connection to Vancouver Island began long before his professional career brought him here.
Growing up in Ireland, he first visited the Island with his family at seven years old. The region’s natural beauty left a lasting impression, and after living in Toronto and Calgary, he returned to make Vancouver Island his home in 2015.
Today, Barry lives in Cowichan, where he is raising his three children on a rural property.
His personal connection to the Island, combined with nearly a decade of professional collaboration across its communities, continues to shape his approach to economic development.
Building on the strength of regional collaboration
Barry sees significant opportunities for Vancouver Island to build on its local strengths through greater regional coordination.
While individual communities are already doing important work, he believes many of the Island’s economic opportunities and challenges require collaboration across geographic, organizational, and sector boundaries.
“Some of our best opportunities emerge when we look beyond organizational boundaries and recognize what we can accomplish together.”
In particular, Barry sees opportunities to strengthen investment attraction, develop industry clusters, improve regional supply chains, and expand Vancouver Island’s participation in domestic and international markets.
He is also interested in how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, can be used intentionally to improve productivity, strengthen communities, and support economic prosperity that is more broadly shared.
Supporting VIEA’s next chapter
As Interim Senior Project Manager, Barry will help maintain continuity across VIEA’s operations and priority initiatives during the organization’s leadership transition.
His work will include supporting the Regional Trade Response Initiative and projects connected to Trade and Invest Vancouver Island (TIVI), alongside ongoing coordination with VIEA’s members, partners, and stakeholders.
Barry is particularly looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues across the region, building new relationships, and contributing to initiatives that bring communities and organizations together around shared economic priorities.
Please join us in welcoming Barry to VIEA. We look forward to the experience, perspective, and collaborative approach he brings to our work across Vancouver Island.
