With a Bachelor of Commerce degree and 10 years of business management experience, Aaron was hired as the first full time employee of the Foundation and has overseen a 4X growth in the Foundation. Total granting in the history of the Foundation has now surpassed $8.5 million and the Foundation’s community impact work also includes two real estate investments for the benefit of the community programs and projects. Aaron is a leader at the national level, serving on many committees and planning groups for Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and was nominated to the board of CFC in 2015. Aaron is also one of six Canadian Foundation leaders who participated in a trilateral community foundation initiative between Canada, Germany and Russia. Along with the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Aaron is pleased to promote and develop innovative community building initiatives that have a lasting, positive impact on the communities of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

He’s also the BC Interior Lead, board member, and co-owner at Thrive Impact Fund. In the past, Andrew held several roles with Accelerate Okanagan, supporting tech companies through entrepreneurial development programs in the Okanagan and throughout BC. He is also a former top Canadian sales manager for Xerox. He has diverse experience working in, starting, and serving as a Board member to nonprofits, co-ops, and social enterprises. As a specialist at Purppl, he likes to spend time with leaders on impact strategy, impact measurement, business model and revenue development, and governance structures.

Cailan loves to solve difficult problems that benefit society. Happipad is the embodiment of their vision to address housing challenges and social inclusion and creating more sustainable cities. Happipad does this by empowering people to connect with compatible housing companions, creating vibrant and rewarding home environments.

Motivated by living a life of meaning, Carmen has worked in the non-profit space for over 15 years. Being a policy nerd who is fascinated by systems change, she serves as a director at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce where she contributes to the policy committee. Carmen is the adoptive mother of three daughters who she adopted as teenagers. She is a member of the marathon maniacs club but she admits that since getting kids she spends less time running and more time solo backcountry camping.

They became involved with AO during the first Okanagan Angel Summit in 2019. Carollynn participated as an investor before becoming a Director, then Fund Manager, and for the past two years, they have facilitated the investor training. Carollynn has also been in the tech sector for over 20 years, first in the province of Manitoba as a Privacy and Technology lawyer, before working at a start-up that went on to be acquired. They are passionate about building the local innovation ecosystem and enjoy connecting as people who are working in tech. In addition to my involvement in the Summit, 

Over the last six years, Casey has led the organization from a small backyard start-up to a thriving community driven organization that operates in both the Central and South Okanagan. In the 2017 season, the OFTP supported over 80 community organizations. In their role, they have been in charge of strategic planning, human resources, grant writing, finances, media and communications, volunteer management, programming, logistics, event planning, and social enterprise planning. Casey has led and grown the organization following the principles of equity, diversity, social and environmental justice, transparency, and community.

Emeline graduated with an MA in Regional Planning from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris, France. She has extensive experience in community-based financing in France and Canada, as a project manager supporting and financing economic, social and sustainable development. Emeline brings 10 years of experience in supporting and financing non-profits and impact ventures, has been a member of several non-profit boards and is committed to supporting social enterprises to thrive and scale.

He is passionate about leveraging ideas, inspiration, and insight to solve intriguing problems. In 2011, he co-founded SparxTrading.com, providing transparent and trustworthy information for self-directed investors and promoting a level playing field in the world of online brokerages. Hamish has written extensively on self-directed investing and online brokerages. Hamish also established Sparx Publishing Group, a certified minority-owned and -led digital marketing agency based in British Columbia that seeks to accelerate the growth of sustainability-focused businesses and organizations. Under his leadership, the agency publishes Make The World Better Magazine, reflecting their mission to create and amplify content that positively impacts the world. Outside of work, Hamish enjoys contemplating big ideas, curating his collection of dad-jokes for his wife and children.

Jill is a Partner and Client Relationship Manager with Genus Capital Management servicing clients across Canada, from her home on Vancouver Island. Jill believes we can change the world one investment decision at a time!

Julia’s strength lies in connecting an organization’s mission to daily operations, nurturing passionate teams, and addressing compassion fatigue and burnout. Her operational expertise covers Human Resources and Finances, including during emergencies and major change management. She’s also a skilled revenue developer with a strong focus on values and relationships. With experience on four continents, Julia demonstrates adaptability and flexibility when working with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Katherine is a leader on Project Mini-Forest, which focuses on address the local biodiversity crisis through public awareness and planting native species in the Okanagan. The BWC is actively prototyping products, like stickers and native wildflower seeds, to support this essential initiative and secure its sustainable funding.

Growing up and being of mixed heritage, Kelly has been bridging distinct worlds all her life, weaving together the strengths of her syilx and European ancestry. She brings 30 years of community development at the community, provincial and national levels. Through her on-the-ground experience, Kelly came to see that a common barrier to the success of programs is relationship breakdown and that the key to turning this around is revitalizing Indigenous ways as the foundation for tackling current challenges. She co-founded IndigenEYEZ as a means of supporting natural champions in communities to better respond to the impacts of colonization. Kelly is focused on the role of relationships in systems change and is sought out for her capacity to help deepen relations at a time in history when connections across differences are essential. Kelly has a BSW, Executive Coaching Certification, and extensive training in Creative Facilitation through Partners for Youth Empowerment. She lives in her family’s ancestral home on the Blind Creek Reserve in syilx territory in the South Okanagan-Similkameen.

His deep connections and resources are enhanced by his role as General Manager of a business development corporation in the Central Okanagan and being a Fellow Certified Management Consultant. Larry’s clients and companies receive well thought out planning, execution and management in a highly collaborative, effective and entrepreneurial manner.

She has a talent for facilitating complex projects from conceptualization to implementation. Lindsay is a co-owner of Tapestry Collective Co-op and the Food Policy Implementation Lead for the Kamloops Food Policy Council.

During her five years with the organization, she worked closely with the Board of Directors and community to develop avenues for more social enterprise programming in their newly opened Family Connection Centre with Drop-in Childcare (opened Spring 2022). Her passion to support family, children and community began with her undergrad co-op placement with the Bridge Youth & Family Services, and it continued with her work in northern Alberta as an executive director building family and adult literacy programs, which included bringing the local college’s fee-for-service International Education program under the nonprofit she managed. Melissa sees boundless potential in social service sector looking at alternative ways of doing social purpose work and leveraging their resources to create funds to fill gaps in the community. In her current role with the City of West Kelowna, as their Community and Social Development Coordinator, Melissa brings together a diverse range of social service providers, community members, and businesses to create positive change. The work Melissa supports at the City aligns closely with principles and practices of Asset-Based Community Development, strength-based approaches to community change. Melissa truly feels that communities that collaborate are more successful at address complex issues like poverty, equity, community safety and well-being.

Certified as a PMBIA Level 2 Air instructor and CASI 1, Mike shares his outdoor expertise and enhances program quality. Originally from Ontario, he settled in Kelowna in 2007, nurturing a love for snowboarding, rock climbing, and mountain biking, which he now passes on through leading programs. Mike, who believes that finding one’s passion is key to happiness, also serves on the boards of two local climbing associations and instructs mountain biking. In his free time, he explores the backcountry on his split-board, tackles local trails on his mountain bike, and climbs rock faces in the Valley. With nearly a decade at Elevation Outdoors, Mike envisions the organization’s future over the next ten years.

With decades of experience working for First Nations governments, Pauline is a strong advocate for tackling issues hindering the prosperity and wellness of Indigenous people. She is passionate about Indigenous revitalization and has served on many volunteer boards, including a term as Chair of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation.

She loves to share the story of how the Syilx Nation spearheaded the return of the Okanagan sockeye salmon from the brink of extinction. In recent years she has become a strong advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty around the world.

With over 13 years of professional experience in Trade Finance/Branch Operations, Peace is recognized for their proficiency in alternative finance and intricate funding solutions within the realm of international trade.

They have demonstrated excellence in trade sales and credit risk management, consistently delivering bespoke client solutions. Peace also boasts a comprehensive understanding of international trade regulations, encompassing UCP 600, URC 522, URDG 758, and Incoterms 2010.

Beyond their technical expertise, Peace is distinguished by strong interpersonal skills, an unwavering work ethic, and an entrepreneurial spirit. As an effective communicator, they are dedicated to achieving success in all their endeavors.

They have honed their skills to become a formidable writer, communicator, and collaborator.

Sue harbors a deep passion for community impact and recognizes the pivotal role that businesses play in fostering the prosperity of communities.