Biography

Marianne Alto is a small businessperson and facilitator who has been active in Victoria community affairs for over 2 decades.

Marianne has lived in Victoria for 22 years, an Oaklands resident for 19. After work as a farm labourer, taxi driver, landscaper, home care worker and sundry other jobs, she completed two university degrees before returning home to Victoria to pursue her career in community advocacy and facilitation. Marianne served as Coordinator of Victoria Status of Women, the city's only broad-based centre providing educational, advocacy, and support services for women. From 1992 to 1996, Marianne served as senior assistant to the Health Minister and as a senior analyst in the office of the Premier.

Since 1996, Marianne has been the principal in Azimuth Research and Consulting, a firm specializing in outcome-based organizational change, facilitation, strategic planning, project management and research. As a facilitator, Marianne has made a significant contribution to the fabric of our community, providing advice and direction to many organizations, association and projects, and mentoring a variety of individuals. Marianne is a member of IAP2 (International Association of Public Participation) and her firm is a member of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

Marianne is a longtime host-parent for international students at Lester Pearson College. She has been a director of the Oaklands Community Association, Sundance Elementary PAC, Greater Victoria Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils, Victoria Conservatory of Music, Everywomans Books, and hosted news and music programming on CFUV Community Radio. She is currently a Director on the Leadership Council of the Greater Victoria Coalition to End Homelessness. In addition to her law degree from Dalhousie University, Marianne has a Bachelor of Science in Geography (Natural Resource Management) from the University of Victoria. Marianne is the proud mom of sons Benjamin and Pasha, and in 2003 married her partner of 16 years.

As a City Councillor, Marianne serves on the Planning and Land Use Committee, the Corporate Services (Finance) Committee and the 150th Anniversary Planning Committee, and is an Alternate CRD Director. She is community liaison for both Oaklands and Vic West, where she facilitates monthly Councillor Open Door sessions.