Dr. Victoria Gay
Systems Researcher. Strategy Architect. Governance Realist.
A trusted leadership partner helping purpose-driven organisations navigate complexity and turn research, insight, and aspiration into aligned strategy, decisive action, and lasting impact.
ABOUT
Strategy grounded in evidence. Leadership shaped by experience.
I work within leadership teams navigating growth, uncertainty and structural change.
My career has spanned health, housing, energy, environmental and social systems, often in moments when organisations need to rethink their mandate, strengthen alignment, or move from ambition to action.
I bring together strategy, governance, research and systems thinking to support clear decision-making in challenging environments. Much of my work sits at the intersection of public institutions, non-profits and cross-sector partnerships, where progress depends as much on trust and alignment as it does on technical solutions.
I do my best work close to executive leadership, where strategy, governance, and operational clarity shape the future of an organisation.
“In complex systems, progress rarely comes from perfect plans. It comes from thoughtful leadership, aligned teams, and the courage to move forward.”
— Victoria Gay, PhD
Core competencies
Strategy and
Systems Alignment
Governance and
Board Partnership
Partnerships and
Organisational Design
Research, Insight and
Thought Leadership
EXPERIENCE + IMPACT
Leadership in complex environments
My work has centred on supporting boards, chief executives and leadership teams through periods of growth, transition and institutional change, informed by experience both within organisations and alongside leadership teams.
Career highlights
PARTNER
Mutatio Social Impact
Co-founded a social impact practice supporting non-profits, research institutes, and public institutions through organisational change, governance challenges, cross-sector partnerships, and evidence-informed decision-making.
Led research and insight generation, strategic planning, organisational transformation, and merger explorations, helping boards and executive teams clarify direction, strengthen governance, align stakeholders, and turn complexity into practical action.
Formed through the merger of Victoria Gay Consulting into Mutatio Social Impact, the practice evolved into a successful long-term partnership model that continues today under co-founder leadership in Canada.
“Victoria’s breadth of expertise helped us clarify our strategy, strengthen partnerships and map a clear path to impact.” — Nicky Dhaliwal, COO Canadian Men’s Health Foundation
“Victoria and Krystal’s highly engaged approach reshaped our mission, clarified our role and set us up to act on an expanded vision for our impact.” — Bill Corbett, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Credit Union Foundations of BC
SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGY & TRANSFORMATION
FCV Interactive
Led a multidisciplinary team of 20 strategists, designers, researchers and technologists delivering transformation and innovation programmes for organisations navigating complex digital and organisational change.
The role focused on aligning strategy, technology and user insight to help organisations modernise services and improve user outcomes.
“Victoria has a collaborative leadership style and brings people together across disciplines and organisations.” — Claudio Afonso, Executive colleague
"Working on service design challenges with Victoria was great. She always approached issues from multiple angles and was never afraid to question assumptions when something didn’t make sense.” — Nicole Broekling, Director, Service Design, FCV
SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGY
BC Women’s Health Foundation
Executive leadership role responsible for strategy, mandate expansion and institutional growth within a complex healthcare and philanthropic environment.
Played a critical leadership role in transforming the organisation from a hospital foundation to a provincial health foundation, expanding its mandate, research investment and public leadership in women’s health.
Secured and mobilised more than $30M in public and philanthropic investment for women’s health research while building strategic partnerships across healthcare, research and industry.
“Working with Victoria has been such a joy. Her leadership, critical eye and insane mind are true phenoms.” — Genesa Greening, President + CEO, BC Women’s Health Foundation
“Victoria is one of the most accomplished, strategic and innovative leaders I have had the opportunity to work with.” — Jen Murtagh, Chief Strategy Officer, BC Women’s Foundation and Co-Founder, Maturn
Leadership beyond the executive role
Big Sisters
Board Member
Served on the board of a leading mentoring organisation supporting girls and gender-diverse youth through long-term mentoring relationships.
Contributed to governance and strategic direction, serving on the Finance and Risk Committees.
“Victoria brings strategic clarity and a thoughtful governance perspective to our board discussions.” — Tara Amiri, Board Chair - Big Sisters
Gathering Voices Society
Strategic Research Collaboration
Longstanding research collaborator working with the Indigenous-led organisation to elevate its environmental stewardship work in academic and policy contexts, expand pathways to funding, and advance systemic change.
“Victoria is highly professional and efficient in delivering outcomes on complex issues. Her combination of academic, non-profit, public sector, and government relations experience makes her strategic advice and outputs consistently thoughtful and well-justified.” — Dr. William Nikolaksis, Assistant Professor, UBC and Executive Director, GVS
Dense Breasts Canada Strategic Research Collaboration
Worked with a national patient advocacy organisation to strengthen research and advocacy around breast cancer screening and early detection.
Helped change screening practices and initiate a national guideline review.
“Victoria’s ability to have birds-eye view, yet develop a detailed pathway to maximize impact, is a gift.” — Jennie Dale, Executive Director, Dense Breasts Canada
Spring
Impact Investor
Member of Spring’s impact investor community supporting early-stage ventures advancing social and environmental innovation.
Invest in purpose-driven organisations led by underrepresented founders addressing challenges across climate, equity and community wellbeing.
“Victoria combines real enthusiasm for environmental and social purpose ventures with a sharp eye in due diligence. She asks illuminating questions and is always supportive of founders.” — Davina MacPhail, VP of Impact Investing, Spring
Selected organisations
RESEARCH + THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Ideas shaping systems and impact
My work often bridges research, strategy and practice. I have contributed to and ghostwritten public commentary, policy reports and academic publications that help translate complex ideas into practical insight.
I work best with leadership teams ready to navigate complexity through thoughtful inquiry, strategic clarity, and practical rigour. If that reflects where your organisation is today, I would welcome the conversation.
