“Advocate for what you need - your health, your community, your family - if you don't, no one will do it for you. Create positive change at every opportunity.” Melissa Grassmick

Melissa Grassmick stepped away from a career in hospitality management to care for her daughter full-time after her daughter suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She holds a Business Administration Diploma and has been devoted to caring for her children. In the coming months, Melissa plans to work with PlayWorld playgrounds to assist clients undertaking inclusive playground projects across North America.

As a leader, Melissa is customer-service focused. With her team she gets to the point quickly and encourage others to work expeditiously. One of Melissa’s most memorable achievements was as Senior Conference Services Manager at the Delta Grand Okanagan, hosting the Kingdom of Morocco to ensure a seamless stay for the Queen, Prince, Princess, and their guests.

Melissa spearheaded Julia's Junction Inclusive Play Space in partnership with the City of West Kelowna and PURKIDS Foundation, raising $900,000 to construct West Kelowna's first fully inclusive community playground. She is Director of Fundraising for the West Kelowna Rotary Club, a member of the City of West Kelowna's Accessibility and Inclusion Committee, and Okanagan Regional Library's Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee. Melissa was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Greater Westside Board of Trade in 2023.

“Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% of how you react to it.” Dr. Christine Col

Christine Col is founder and clinic director of Move RX Performance and Wellness. She holds a Doctor of Chiropractic, Bachelor of Kinesiology, is a certified FRC Mobility Specialist, and is a multi-year weightlifting champion. Christine is big on being part of the community, leading local hikes and bringing women together with the Okanagan Chapter of Women Who Explore group.

A high performer and achiever, Christine has a strong drive that extends into leadership at the clinic. She wants to see everyone succeed and does all she can to ensure her team is supported in all avenues through encouraging a fun, safe, and supportive environment. One of Christine’s proudest achievements is using educational workshops at Move RX to raise money for local charities like the Foundry, Kelowna Women's Shelter, and this year Paws it Forward.

Christine volunteers and coaches the Special Olympics Powerlifting team, provides support for the Okanagan’s Mens Basketball Team and therapy support at sporting events in the city, and is on the board of Kelowna Women in Business. As a woman business owner in the community, Christine mentors women entrepreneurs and values having the opportunity to help other female business owners succeed.

“To go into the world aiming to do my best. Now I know I am doing my best and it creates change.” Ella Lamoureux

Ella Lamoureux is one of the founding performers of the Kelowna drag community and is a prominent voice for Two-Spirit identities. Ella attended the UBC Okanagan School of Social Work and for the past 15 years has helped to create, build, and nourish safe queer spaces in the community.

Ella encourages others and teaches accountability, which go hand in hand. In every aspect of life and in the community, Ella ‘shows up’, is outspoken, and leads by example. Creating the drag scene in Kelowna is something Ella is proud of; called the matriarch of Kelowna, Ella has helped many drag performers and encourages every performer in town. For Ella, achievement is being a strong two-spirit person who has become a role model for two-spirit/indigiqueer youth across Turtle Island.

Ella volunteers time at fundraising events with organizations like COHA, Living Positive Resource Centre, the Food Bank, Etcetera Youth Group, Pride events across western Canada, and at BC’s Two-Spirit Day. Ella also has a yearly show called ‘Indigenous and Proud’ with all-Indigenous cast. It’s a fundraiser for Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) and donates all time and resources; Ella’s mother is a residential school survivor. The show is in its fourth year and has raised $8,000 so far.

“To try and fail is at least to learn; to fail to try is to suffer the inestimable loss of what might have been.” Chester Barnard

Jonathan Dobroskay is a financial advisor with Edward Jones and holds an undergraduate degree in business management with a focus on accounting. When Jonathan joined Edward Jones he began working alongside his father, who started one of the first offices in the Okanagan more than 25 years ago.

Jonathan encourages others to take charge and make decisions for themselves, providing guidance on the direction to focus on. He shows appreciation for his teams in a fun and thoughtful way. Jonathan’s efforts led to a position near the top of the Edward Jones Rising Leader board in Canada. One of Jonathan’s most memorable moments is speaking at last year’s regional meetings to share how his team has found success through deeper understanding with clients.

Jonathan volunteers with Lake Country Rotary, Canadian Canine Search Corps, and with groups in the Okanagan to assist K9 teams in deployments to work more effectively. He is also an on-call firefighter at Lake Country Fire Department with training as a Canadian Red Cross First Responder.

"Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway." - Mother Teresa

Jeremy Dawn is the Founder & CEO of SNFLWR Okanagan Real Estate Corporation, an entrepreneur-in-residence at Purppl, and holds a Bachelor of Management from UBC Okanagan. He has spent the last four years in Kelowna’s real estate development sector leading acquisitions, partnerships, community initiatives, and commercial leasing. Jeremy founded SNFLWR in 2023 with the goal to simplify the real estate process and do good in the communities he serves.

Jeremy’s most memorable achievement was envisioning and launching the SNFLWR brand, inspired by his mother who passed away five years ago. “Building tomorrow, rooted in today” is to remind him to think bigger and think about how our actions today will impact the future. Jeremy fostering partnerships with BC Housing and Kelowna’s Gospel Mission to accommodate the creation of two large emergency homeless shelters.

In the community, Jeremy volunteers with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission on their Advisory Committee. He leverages his network to support groups like Mamas for Mamas, Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, and BC Housing. Jeremy also supports Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF).

“If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody. Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.” ― Anthony Bourdain

Breanna McDonald is an Okanagan-based caterer and founder of Table49, and she holds a BA (Honours) from the University of Victoria. She started her business to create a sense of community through food experiences locally and beyond, creating inclusion and sparking creativity.

Breanna works collaboratively, leading contractor teams with warmth and empowerment, and is driven by a joy of cooking. As a solo entrepreneur, she considers her most memorable achievements are with each dinner she caters; her clients encourage her to push herself outside of her comfort zone.

Breanna has helped to raise more than $500,000 for the community. Her business matches campaigns, and a percentage from dinners is donated to charities. She has worked with Mamas for Mamas and the YMCA of the Southern Interior.

“STRIVE to be of value not a success!” Vanessa Thompson

Vanessa Thompson is Executive Director with Strive Support Services, offering support for adults with diverse disabilities the opportunity to have gainful employment throughout Kelowna and surrounding areas. She has a background in early childhood education and is a MANDT trainer, holistic training with a focus on emotional, psychological, and physical safety.

Vanessa leads her team in a motivational, supportive, accountable, respectful, and compassionate approach. Her team speaks highly of her passion to understand the needs of her team and individuals that they support. Vanessa has a high standard of care and integrity for what STRIVE does and is driven to provide the best care and support for the individual, and their families. Under Vanessa’s leadership, STRIVE has grown in the past ten years and established a solid reputation in the community for the high level of support they provide.

Vanessa’s most memorable achievement is not a single one; it’s a compounded effect of the work and dedication in advocating for the individuals and team. Locally, she helps with fundraising, volunteering, advocating, and supporting organizations like Joanna’s House, Christmas hampers for local families, minor hockey, and local swim teams.

“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” - Kobe Bryant

Jared Franczak is a real estate agent with Jared Franczak & Associates and holds a Real Estate Trading Services License from UBC Sauder School of Business. He was a carpenter by trade and spent nearly 10 years helping build homes in the Okanagan before he transitioned into real estate.  

Jared is a coach and leads by example, taking pride in helping people and sharing the knowledge he has gained from being a part of over 350 real estate transactions in his illustrious career. Constantly learning and striving for improvement on a personal and professional level, Jared works to ensure that everyone around him succeeds.

Jared's most memorable achievement in real estate was receiving the Royal LePage Red Diamond Award of Excellence and National Top 2% Award, recognizing performance and outstanding professional accomplishments. Jared and his team support BC Children's Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, Central Okanagan Food Bank, and CNIB among many others. He is serving his second term as president of the Glenrosa Resident Association, which is actively lobbying for an alternate exit out of the community, additional sidewalks, and lighting for safety.

"Life is a journey to experience, not a problem to be solved" - Winnie the Pooh

Grace Manders is the Director of Finance with MAKR Group. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria and had opportunity to broaden her perspectives through an international exchange program at Neoma School of Business in France. Grace is also involved in Junior Chamber International conferences, both regionally and nationally.

In her leadership, Grace describes her style as rooted in a commitment to support and empower those around her, fostering an environment where every individual's professional and personal growth is prioritized. By nurturing talent, fostering an inclusive environment, and leveraging diverse perspectives, she has a positive impact on her company and the community at large.

Grace began volunteering in high school and continues to volunteer. Grace joined JCI Kelowna to get involved in the local community and she has held different roles, first as secretary and working her way to Vice President Membership and now President. Whether leading an accounting team at work or supporting a dynamic group of young professionals at JCI Kelowna, her goal is to provide guidance and encouragement that enables others to thrive.

"Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air, and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you." - David McCullough Jr.

Jordan Perrey is College Information Officer at Okanagan College, holding a Bachelor of Commerce and Diploma in Computer Information Systems. He has also worked with government and technology startups, spearheading impactful initiatives that leave a significant mark on the provincial, local, and business communities. Jordan has led a $3.2M Student Aid BC IT retrofit, fostered strategic partnerships to transition post-secondary institutions to BCNET (a shared IT), and advocates for other transformative initiatives.

Jordan focuses on creating a workplace where every team member feels deeply connected to a shared vision. He prioritizes creating an atmosphere of approachability, transparency, and honesty where every voice is valued and encouraged to participate. A most memorable experience for Jordan has been winning Okanagan College's President's Award in November 2023.

Jordan volunteers in the community, coaching a children's hockey team for three years through to their win at the provincials. He has participated in provincial-wide committees and extended support to other organizations by offering cyber coaching following the aftermath of cyber incidents. He engages in mentorship opportunities, helping others grow their careers and skills. In collaboration with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the City of Kelowna, Jordan co-led the establishment of the Okanagan Public Sector IT Leaders group – a collective comprising of representatives from 10+ public organizations across the Okanagan Valley.

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new” - Dalai Lama

Ian Roth is a Partner at Urban Systems Ltd. and holds a BA of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from UBC Okanagan. In his work at Urban Systems, Ian contributes to transportation engineering projects in our region like the Highway 97 Lake Country Transportation Planning Study and UBC Okanagan Transportation Plan.

Ian is a strong collaborator and self-starter. He strives to have his team feel that they are heard, can overcome challenges, contribute to the people they are in service of, and be rewarded by becoming the leaders they aspire to become. One of his most memorable experiences has been receiving the Rising Star Award from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, a national non-profit he volunteers with that promotes continuing education and attracts youth into the engineering profession.

In the community, Ian volunteers with YMCA of the Southern Interior and has hosted fundraisers for the Y's Cycle for Strong Kids Events. He volunteers with the SHARE Christmas Hamper Program, supports the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs nutrition program and Pink Shirt Day, and volunteers with Helen's Acres Farm to support the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” – Rumi

Mischa Mueller, MA, CFRE is a certified fundraising executive with over twelve years of experience in healthcare and arts philanthropy. As Associate Director of the BC Cancer Foundation in Kelowna, he led the fundraising campaign to build a new world-class systemic cancer therapy suite at BC Cancer – Kelowna. BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer and the largest philanthropic funder of cancer research and care in British Columbia.

As a professional fundraiser, Mischa combines strategic leadership and innovative problem-solving to foster collaboration with passionate donors and medical leaders to solve life-changing healthcare challenges. He sees the role of fundraisers as critical catalysts that inspire donors to fulfill their philanthropic potential to make positive, lasting and transformational changes in society. He leads two volunteer committees in Kelowna and Prince George to further the mission of BC Cancer across the Interior and the North, including Kamloops.

Mischa won the international Association of Healthcare Fundraising Professionals’ Top 40 under 40 award in 2023 for his professional achievements. He chaired the Association of Fundraising Professionals Interior Chapter and held roles on national committees. In November 2019, he chaired the JCI Kelowna Mayor's Luncheon Committee.

Born and raised in Basel, Switzerland, Mischa graduated from Mount Boucherie Secondary. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Toronto and is Dare to Lead trained. Mischa is a passionate plasma donor and rider in BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Cure, BC’s largest cycling fundraiser for cancer research.

My goal is to leave this world better than it was when I arrived. That's what living a meaningful life means to me.

Amanda McFarlane is the Executive Director of BrainTrust Canada, a non-profit organization providing direct service to persons with acquired brain injury. She has a background in healthcare settings and has participated in more than 100 workshops and training courses. Amanda’s education centres around indigenous reconciliation and practice, highlighting a sensitivity to the unique needs of diverse populations.

Amanda's leadership style is demonstrated through a deep empathy and an innovative spirit. As part of her work with BrainTrust, Amanda founded the Brain Injury Crime Prevention Program in Canada, a groundbreaking initiative focused on assisting individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) within the correctional system. She has also been instrumental in the design and delivery of brain injury-specific counseling services and BISEY Brain Injury Substance Use presentations.

One of Amanda’s most memorable achievements was journeying to Ottawa where brain injury representatives from each province advocated for a national brain injury strategy in the House of Commons. She volunteers in the community, from wildfire relief efforts to coordinating an annual conference for collaborative discussions on system change and brain injury. Amanda is a founding partner of Kelowna's Integrated Court as part of her commitment to systemic change.

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Jean-Pierre (JP) Letnick is a real estate agent with Sage Executive Group – Letnick Estates and holds a Diploma in Business Administration. He works within the industry as an advocate for real estate policy and has been ranked among the top ten real estate agents in Kelowna. JP is a member of a non-profit group working for BC resident's property rights relating to legal short-term rentals for specifically zoned and purpose-built buildings in Kelowna.

Among his team, JP is driven, self motivated, and calm. He believes everyone is starting from somewhere, and his job is to help guide people on their journey. If someone makes a mistake, he acknowledges their attempts and helps them learn. JP’s most memorable achievement is his family, continuing to improve the lives of his family and others around them.

Giving back to the community has always been something JP’s parents taught him from a young age – in school, he would volunteer at the Gospel Soup Kitchen. He donates time and money to the Cancer Foundation and Brain Trust, volunteers on the board of directors for the Kelowna Lake Country MLA, and a non-profit housing organization. JP also mentors high school students on business skills and start-ups.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." - Helen Keller

Tory Miller juggles multiple roles through her entrepreneurial ventures. She is the founder of Clever Girl Communications and runs the Community Cultivator with the Okanagan Young Professionals Collective, a program of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC). Tory also is the “TEO” of Vic and Jo Tea Co., holds TAC Tea Sommelier® certification, and is an active member of the Tea & Herbal Association of Canada. In both businesses Tory is a one-woman show for all operations, creative direction, marketing, design, and administration.

One of Tory’s most memorable achievements has been as Community Cultivator & Student Liaison at the Okanagan Young Professionals Collective, which plays a crucial role in retaining regional talent and assisting students in their transition into the workforce. She believes the little act of making an introduction or meeting with someone, sharing a success story, can lead to a big change in someone’s life.

Tory volunteers in the community and is a Director of the Greater Westside Board of Trade and co-chair of their Membership Committee (held until Nov. 2023), where she has loved donating her time and resources to local events. She is uses her influence to promote arts and culture in the Central Okanagan and volunteers at events like the World Tea Expo.

“Interventional Radiology. It's like surgery, only MAGIC.”

Dr. Nevin V de Korompay is an interventional radiologist and head of the department of radiology at Kelowna General Hospital. He has helped establish cutting edge therapies in vascular surgery and neurosurgery, minimally invasive surgery for lung cancer, and in advancing therapy in liver cancer. Nevin and team have grown an interventional oncology program with KGH Foundation, introducing Y90 radioembolization for advanced liver cancer – the second site to offer this therapy in BC after Vancouver General Hospital.

In leading a team, Nevin surrounds himself with brilliant people and stays out of the way – modern medicine is the ultimate team sport. He allows his passion for the work at KGH to inspire people to enjoy the process as much as he does. Nevin’s most memorable achievement has been overseeing the funding, development, and implementation and of a new interventional radiology suite at Kelowna General Hospital: a $9.6M state-of-the-art facility for cutting edge, minimally invasive therapies including life saving stroke therapy, novel cancer treatments, and vascular therapies.

Nevin has volunteered with the Kelowna General Hospital Physicians Society and is an elected member of the Canadian board of interventional radiology. He is an investigator in the COMMENCE study investigating aortic valve replacement, and a reviewer for the main scientific journals of North America, Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (JVIR), and Europe, Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (CVIR).

“Ultimately, research and evaluation are indispensable in advancing our collective efforts to create safer environments for children, providing them with the protection and care they deserve.”

Dr. Cassidy Biener works with the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre (CYAC) of Kelowna. She holds a PhD (Psychological Science) from UCBO with a double major in psychology and minor in sociology. Originally from Edmonton, Cassidy has a deep passion for advocacy particularly for those who cannot speak for themselves. Her philosophy emphasizes the integration of research and practice, ensuring their work is ethically and theoretically sound while directly applicable to real-world scenarios. In her work, Cassidy partners with other community organizations to drive systematic change.

Her collaboration with the CYAC and Kelowna RCMP has resulted in two publications in high-impact journals. Cassidy has carried out research in intimate partner violence, bullying and dating violence in youth, and substance prevention. She is a qualified expert trainer for the Preventure program in BC and is currently leading a new program at the CYAC where she is Director of Research and Evaluation. Through this program work they aim to deepen understandings of the complex issues surrounding child abuse and neglect.

"Why be angry when happiness is free for all, reach out and take some."

Colin Kirkpatrick is a Partner at Crowe MacKay LLP as of January 2024, where he has worked since 2011. He holds a BBA (Accounting Specialty) and a Chartered Accountant Designation (CPA, CA). Colin has been part of the Crowe MacKay mentor program, supporting students during their summers when studying for the annual CPA exam, and enjoys training CPA students and managers to help them develop into strong professionals as they advance toward their career goals.

Colin’s most memorable achievement in his career has been obtaining his professional designation and mentoring others. The years mentoring students through their CPA studying journey has formed memorable moments that will count as highlights for years to come, and it has been a privilege to watch them succeed.

In working with Crowe MacKay, Colin has led fundraising efforts for several community teams in the office – including CAN Canucks Autism Network Bike Ride, CHA Charity Ride, and Motionball Marathon of Sports. He has volunteered for several years as a Board member with Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society, increasing their reach into surrounding communities. Colin helped grow the scope of programs offered, including One-to-One literacy tutor programs in elementary schools.

“Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.”

Alexandra Carnio is the founder of ProducKIDvity, a childcare coworking business that offers innovative solutions to support working parents and entrepreneurs in the Okanagan region. Their first location opened April 202, followed by another in 2023, and with one coming in 2024. These unique locations add needed childcare spaces to the region.

 Alexandra’s leads with a and community-oriented approach, making a positive impact on her team and community. She empowers employees to think creatively and take ownership of their work, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Her most memorable achievement is opening the first ProducKIDvity, a 10,000 square foot childcare and co-working facility, and raising capital plus project managing the construction of the facility while experiencing a high-risk twin pregnancy that required 10 weeks in the NICU.

In 2023 Alexandra organized a community garage sale to support the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, raising $5000 and over $25,000 worth of equipment was donated to various organizations. She represented Canada as G20 YEA Delegate for Futurpreneur in 2023 and Terry Fox Humanitarian Award Recipient. Alexandra serves as the Sponsorship Director for the Board of Kelowna Women in Business, and through her business has led efforts to donate over $25,000 to organizations that champion the success of women and youth.

Tyler Krenz is a Partner with Grant Thornton LLP, working primarily with privately held business owners in corporate year-end financial reporting, corporate and personal tax planning, and other business advisory needs. Previous real-estate investing experience along with accounting, finance and tax knowledge allows for an impactful role as part of his client's advisory team.

Tyler’s leadership style is to lead by example, focusing on continuous improvement and work-life balance to create an open environment with strong communication. One of his roles as a partner is to coach others, an aspect of his job he finds most rewarding. Tyler’s most memorable personal achievement is becoming a father to three amazing little girls. Professionally, it’s a tie for receiving his CA designation and being accepted into the partnership at Grant Thornton.

Tyler has been on the Board of Directors of Canadian Home Builders Association Central Okanagan for five years, and volunteers with Cops for Kids where he participated in their flagship fundraiser and biked for 10 days though the interior. Tyler is on the committee of Grant Thornton’s Greater Purpose Program that looks at ways their efforts will be most impactful in the community; his “Clip-In” Spin-a-Thon team raised $10,000 for Cops for Kids.

“Be proud of what you have done. Even if you impact one life, that’s one life that you have changed for the better.” Enactus Canada's past CEO, Allyson Hewitt

MacKenna Lenarcic is Manager of Alumni Relations with Enactus. She graduated with BBA in Marketing from the Okanagan College School of Business (OC). In her four years at OC, MacKenna’s studies focused on strategic and digital marketing, leadership, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship and she was involved with student leadership club Enactus that created social, economic and environmental projects in our community. In her last year at OC, MacKenna was helped secure over $34,000 in grant funding, leading their team to be the first from Western Canada to win the National Championship. The team placed in the top four of 2,584 worldwide.

MacKenna believes in creating a team environment where students feel safe to step outside of their comfort zone and try new things. She mentored an Enactus team from Ireland and initiated a new partnership with one from Belgium, and worked with High School students participating in the Kelowna Sustainable Development Challenge.

In her current role with Enactus, MacKenna is developing a new alumni engagement program to support students across 70+ post-secondary institutions in Canada. MacKenna’s most memorable achievement is leading the national expansion of Unusually Good Food Co (UGFC) which resulted in UGFC products on the shelves of 19 retailers across Canada including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories. This contract generated $57,000 in revenue, and they reinvested profits into the community, and MacKenna received HSBC's Women Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year.

"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook—try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun." Julia Child

Travis Pye is Chef, Operations Director, and Co-Owner of Lakehouse Homestore Kitchens & Cooking School in Kelowna. He holds a diploma from BC Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute with Red Seal from Saskatoon Polytech, and he has opened eight restaurants across Canada. Travis believes in supportive leadership through proper training, clear objective, transparent feedback, and working toward a goal of ongoing improvement.

One of Travis’ most memorable achievements is opening a 500-seat, open-kitchen restaurant in the newly developed Lansdowne Park in Ottawa (steps away from the stadium) the year the Red Blacks rejoined the CFL. On game days there would be 20,000 people in and around their restaurant, and with a completely open kitchen and a brigade of 80 staff they managed it masterfully.

Travis has been on the Board of the Downtown Kelowna Association for five years and is now the vice president, where he can be a voice for the hospitality sector. He’s an active Chef Instructor with Chefs in the Classroom to teach healthy eating, growing, sustainability, and basic cooking knowledge to third grade students.

Kelly Davidson is an Associate Portfolio Manager, Investment Associate at Odlum Brown Ltd, and holds a Bachelor of Management degree from UBCO. She is solutions oriented and believes in the power of honest and open communication. As the youngest advisor in the Kelowna office at Odlum Brown, she acts as a leader and mentor to the administrative and investment assistants providing career advice, coaching, and support. In 2023, Kelly became a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®), a pinnacle financial services credential and highest honour in Canadian financial services.

One of Kelly's career highlights was helping plan and host the CFA Forecast Dinner that brought former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz to Kelowna to share his insights on inflation, markets, and the broader economy to over 150 local professionals. She played a key role in planning and hosting the first annual CFA Women in Business Conference that brought Arlene Dickinson to Kelowna to share her insight and advice with over 170 women in business.

Kelly is the co-chair for the local Ovarian Cancer Walk of Hope, serves on the board of directors for the Kelowna Women's Shelter, volunteers with the BC Cancer Foundation and was appointed the Provincial Chair of the Catalyst Ambassadors. The Catalyst Ambassadors is a collection of engaged professionals that are harnessing the power of community across the province to enhance cancer solutions in BC through advocacy, awareness, and fundraising.

Justin Duggan is co-owner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Okanagan. He has a location in Kelowna, a satellite office in Kamloops, plus is a partner in Saskatchewan and Manitoba franchises. Justin oversees all operational aspects of the franchises and manages the leadership team. He began his path in college but left to pursue entrepreneurship with the company. Through his tenure as Okanagan franchise owner, Justin doubled revenue in two years and fostered a culture of mentorship and encouragement where team members become co-owners.

Justin’s leadership is influenced by his former boss and the core principles of “Ownership, Pace & Intensity”. One of Justin’s most memorable moments is witnessing the remarkable journey of two Truck Team Members who have been with them since the start, first working on the trucks then progressing to full-time operational roles and General Managers. Justin believes their impact on the business will be profound, and he’s proud of the leadership team’s approach. The Okanagan Franchise ranked among the top 10 performing worldwide in 2022 and 2023.

Beyond business success, Justin and his company actively support charitable organizations like ‘Mamas for Mamas’ and ‘Paws It Forward’. The team refurbishes old furniture and donates them to charitable organizations. They also donate their time and trucks to help clean bike trails and environmental areas, like cleaning up Lac Du Bois Grasslands in collaboration with the Kamloops Naturalist Club – all as part of creating a supportive and socially responsible business environment.

“Do what the average won't to achieve the results they want… and do it now, while you still can.”

Justina LeeStolz has a BA from the University of British Columbia Okanagan and is a real estate professional. She is continually engaging in ongoing education to keeps up to date with relevant industry changes and standards, ethics and inclusion training as well as legal updates to the industry. Over the last decade as a Realtor in the Okanagan, Justina has had the privilege to serve many people in their real estate needs and to establish beneficial partnerships with many local businesses.

Supporting the Okanagan economy is a passion for Justina. She runs a free, support-local-business program called Tour The Town and she volunteers with organizations like the Kelowna Chamber, the Junior Chamber of Commerce Kelowna, Okanagan Young Professionals and others. Justina curates the 100AwesomePeople project that highlights people and businesses that have an awesome social impact in the community. She has achieved the Centurion award for three years in a row, placing in the top sales representatives in Century 21 Canada.

Justina’s most memorable achievement is being able to step into the role of Past President of the local JCI Kelowna chapter. In 2023 she was volunteer representative for Canada to the American Leadership Academy and JCI Conference of the Americas in Santa Marta, Colombia. Justina has been recognized as the Ambassador of the Year for the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's events.

“Once in your life you may need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher, but every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.”

Ramsey Jaswell has a Bachelor of Science and completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in New York. He’s the Co-Owner and President of Orchard Smiles Dentistry, plus is a co-owner of Jaswal & Co. Orchards. After graduating from the New York University College of Dentistry, Ramsey’s love of the Okanagan agriculture industry brought him back to Kelowna. Their commitment at Orchard Smiles is to maintain the ethical, honest, and hardworking spirit of our local farmers. They offer a wide range of different services, extended hours, and same day emergency treatment.

Ramsey says patients appreciate healthcare in an environment that’s comfortable, welcoming, and works for their schedule. His team was proud to offer their inaugural ‘Free Dentistry Day' where they provided over $20,000 of free dental treatment to vulnerable people within our community. Ramsey prides himself in creating an autonomous environment in which his colleagues are empowered to collaborate. This form of leadership has had a significant impact on their agricultural and healthcare businesses, as employees are accountable, trustworthy, and highly valued.

They provide financial support to a number of charitable organizations like the Kelowna Gospel Mission and the East Meets West Children's Foundation. In 2023 they financially supported community organizations such as Rutland Senior Secondary Basketball, Kelowna Minor Hockey, Rutland Youth Soccer Association, and the BC Winter Games.

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Stephen Grellet

Jennay Oliver is owner/operator of Paynter’s Fruit Market. She studied Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at BCIT (improving her machinery fixing ability), but most of her knowledge was obtained from information passed down through generations of local farming. She is proud to keep the family farm operating and mark their 100th anniversary.

Jennay spends time each year on continuing education for herself and staff, focusing on leadership, marketing and HR / workplace safety courses. All of the items sold in the store are made from local producers, makers or bakers. Most staff live in the central Okanagan, and they have high seasonal staff retention. Jennay believes in leading by example, and you can often find her driving tractors, picking fruit, or helping in the store in the busy summer months.

Jennay’s most memorable achievement was speaking at the 2023 Women in Agriculture conference, addressing more than 400 of her peers who own large farms across Canada. She was part of the West Kelowna Agricultural Advisory Committee to review land planning applications and an on-call firefighter for eight years. Paynter’s grows extra crops to have produce to donate locally, they give farm tours for students, and make numerous donations to non-profits.   

Life operates on a gradient. The goal is to aim for the ‘better' side of that gradient, while always having imperfect information on both the inputs and outputs of life's underlying function. Be skeptical of those who suggest otherwise with absolute confidence.

Jeff Andrews, Honours BSc, MSc, PhD, is UBCO Associate Professor and Principal Co-director of the Master of Data Science program The Classification Society President. He’s the lead researcher of the Statistical Machine Learning Laboratory, established with funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and has since attracted over $4.2 million in research funding. Jeff leads by example and describes himself as a reluctant leader, often asked to put his name forward. Program enrolment has increased nearly 30% since 2020, with his student researchers going on to study at internationally renowned universities like Stanford, Columbia, University of Toronto.

Jeff’s most memorable achievement was receiving the 2017 Chikio Hayashi Award for Young Researchers form the International Federation of Classification Scientists, where he gave a research talk in Tokyo. Jeff volunteers for societies in his academic community and is on the Brachytherapy Chair Research Advisory Board for the BC Cancer Centre for the Southern Interior. He has volunteered as a board director, served as a panel reviewer for the Degree Quality Assurance Board, and appointed a committee member for the Statistical Society of Canada.

Jeff has published dozens of journals, co-authored a book, and is in the early stages of collaborating with a journalist using unsupervised machine learning to find patterns in unexplained disappearances across Canada.

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. - Theodore Roosevelt

Dr. Jennifer Drever is a general dentist and a prominent figure in our local business community. Jennifer has a community-centric approach which has her excited for the opening of Upper Mission Dental in Mission Village at the Ponds. Construction recently commenced with the practice anticipated to open in the Fall of 2024. Upper Mission Dental will have a positive impact on our local economy beyond dental services. She is coordinating with local contractors during the design and construction phase, and will also strengthen the local economy by providing specialized employment opportunities, collaborating with local businesses including dental labs, local suppliers, and contractors. 

Jennifer’s career path has been unique. She started as a dental receptionist followed by pursuit of a Dental Hygiene designation. She then put her career on hold to return to school to become a dentist with two young children at home. This experience transformed her career trajectory and demonstrated her ability to thrive under pressure to achieve ambitious goals, setting the stage for a fulfilling and impactful career. She attributes her career success to her commitment to personal and professional growth. Her diverse dental background in the dental profession yields an empowering leadership approach. She holds mutual respect and job satisfaction as high priorities in creating a positive work environment for everyone on her team.

Jennifer is an active member of her children’s school PAC, frequents Okanagan College as a volunteer Dentist in their Dental Assisting Patient Care Clinic, and has volunteered with Dentistry for All in Guatemala to provide dentistry in a region without access to dental care. As a member of the Dorothea Walker School PAC, she is actively involved in fundraising for school-driven education initiatives and the completion of an accessible playground that will service the entire Upper and Lower Mission Community. “My children still think it’s cool when they see me at the school, which I will embrace for a few more years, while I can.”

Leif David is a family-friendly magician, specializing in close-up and stage magic. For Leif, magic's universal appeal unites diverse demographics, fostering unity through shared experiences. Its inclusivity welcomes people of all backgrounds and its emotional impact builds lasting bonds, making it a potent tool for community-building. Whether at grand openings, educational programs, holiday celebrations, themed events, family gatherings, corporate events, community festivals, or fundraisers, Leif add a unique, memorable, and positive impact to our community.

Magic is a tradition with a rich history and legacy of innovation passed down. Supporting new magicians through literature, lessons, and trick assistance contributes to the craft's preservation and evolution. Mastery requires time, precision, and an understanding of psychology, with style and presence developed over years. Leif contributes to a global network of magicians by providing literature, online videos, lessons, and developing new illusions to advance the craft. His articles have been featured in "VANISH" magazine, the world's largest publication for magicians. 

Over Leif’s 30 years in magic and more than 2600 shows, his most significant achievement is inspiring single moments. Whether it's bringing wonder and joy to a child's face or offering a brief escape from life's challenges for someone in need, the ability to inspire through my magic is truly invaluable. He encourages everyone to approach each moment with respect, love, laughter, and of course, a little magic.

“Find your passion and make it your destiny.”

Samantha Wedlund is the founder and leader of Success21 Salon. For her, the salon is about fostering a transformative journey for clients and staff, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, and understanding individual needs. The salon is the embodiment of Samantha’s dreams and collective aspirations of those they connect with through services and community engagement.

Through initiatives like the Vision Board Brunch, Samantha aims to inspire and empower others. The event is a reflection of her and her team’s belief in the transformative power of shared aspirations and the importance of a supportive community. Her goals are to uplift spirits and nurture self-discovery.  Samantha volunteers with the Karis Society to provide support to women recovering from addiction and mental health challenges, as well as with Mamas for Mamas where she assists mother and caregivers in crisis. Both are organizations that deeply resonate with her and the team’s values.

The founding and growth of Success21 Salon has been a significant professional milestone for Samantha, transforming a small salon in her living room into a celebrated establishment in Orchard Park Mall. But her most cherished accomplishments extend beyond the professional world. Becoming a mother and wife have infused her life with a deeper meaning and purpose, and balancing the roles of business owner with mother and partner is a fulfilling and challenging journey.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison.

Jonathan Palmer is an entrepreneur, business leader, and Professional Engineer with experience in renewable energy and power grids across Western Canada. He is the founder and CEO of Extropic Energy Inc. engineering firm in Kelowna, and co-founder and Vice President of renewable energy design-build company Aurora Renewables GP Inc. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering and MBA.

As an engineer, he is passionate about bringing creative energy modernization solutions to communities and organizations. He has worked as a consultant for most major electric utilities across Western Canada, plus dozens of land developers, municipalities, universities, and businesses. A Senior Member of the IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, Jonathan is a long-time volunteer. He has volunteered with local and international charity organizations, including developing a master plan as part of a multi-discipline team for the Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi, Africa.

Through Extropic Energy, Jonathan developments and implements holistic energy roadmaps for communities, universities, businesses, schools, and other organizations from designing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to mission-critical power systems and renewable energy projects. Aurora Renewables GP Inc. is an Indigenous majority-owned company that leverages Extropic Energy’s technical capabilities to design, build and manage renewable energy projects like solar and battery energy storage systems. Aurora strives to create significant positive benefits for local communities through renewable energy projects while creating careers and opportunities in the renewable sector for Indigenous people. 

“Makeup does not define you, it's merely a tool of empowerment.”

Missy MacKintosh is a freelance makeup artist and the founder and CEO of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics, Canada’s first ‘clean’ line of professional beauty products. Her work as garnered widespread recognition, from Huffpost to Cosmopolitan. Missy identified a lack of Canadian-made, toxic-free, professional-grade clean beauty line. From the basement of her Salmon Arm home, she worked with two chemists to develop products and launched MisMacK. There are now three stores under the MisMacK brand: Salmon Arm, Victoria, and Kelowna.

Beyond contributing to the local economy, Missy’s impact resonates through creating employment opportunities in the community while her concept stores facilitate learning in a safe environment. She collaborates with the Pride Society and provides services to organizations such as Dress for Success, supporting individuals in their professional journeys. Workshops at MisMacK's studios focus on self-esteem, safe makeup application, and clean beauty benefits. One personal is "Patty Mae", a lipstick inspired by Missy’s 96-year-old grandmother; $5 from every lipstick purchase supports Habitat for Humanity Okanagan.

One of Missy’s most memorable achievements is recognizing the profound impact made by her role in someone else’s journey. Missy’s first hire for MisMacK is now the Store Director of the Salmon Arm location; being able to create a positive work environment for her employee to find personal transformation has been one of the most significant achievements in Missy’s entrepreneurial journey. 

“If you knew how unreasonably sick people suffer from reasonable causes of distress, you would take more pains about all these things.” - Florence Nightingale

Lauren Airth is a pivotal part of UBC’s Harm Reduction Team (HaRT) and has held clinical teaching positions at UBCO. While completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Lauren founded a mental health advocacy club and supported local high schools to establish similar clubs while also facilitating national mental health summits. She is passionate about mentoring other nurses and pursuing research that can positively change our healthcare system.

HaRT is a direct result of the work done by Lauren and her colleagues on campus and in the community. Through her related PhD research, and as HaRT's co-founder, she helps to provide education and resources in healthcare and social contexts to reduce substance use harms for campus and Kelowna community members. Part of Lauren’s leadership style is rooted in truth and reconciliation as she aims to deconstruct colonial systems through culturally informed, reciprocal relationships. Operating a team that acknowledges these harms allows team members to identify gaps in their knowledge, and she works to support these gaps through partnerships with UBCO’s psychology department.

Lauren assisted the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop a report on the impacts of COVID-19 on rural and remote mental health and substance use, culminating in an international webinar on rural mental health. Through Jack.org, she facilitated mental health conferences for youth and young adults. Lauren also provides harm reduction services provincially at music festivals, shares queer harm reduction resources during Kelowna Pride, and has served on a working group with Kelowna Pride and the RCMP to determine how to establish safe space designations for Kelowna businesses.

“Your body is not a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” - Anthony Bourdain

Jared Lee is part of the business team that built Central Kitchen + Bar and Central Sports Club into local downtown Kelowna community staples. For the last 10 years, they have successfully grown their business from 90 employees seasonally. Jared has been in Kelowna’s food and beverage industry for 18 years, first with Earls Kitchen + Bar where he learned invaluable skills that he continues to develop. He believes in open and frequent communication with their team and leads with humility, ensuring all partners understand how the importance of every job within leads to a superior customer experience.

Trough the pandemic, Jared and team aggressively expanded by increasing space 100%. They are consistently represented in the Best of Kelowna awards and are recipients of ‘Best Employer’ at the British Columbia Small Business Awards – one of his most memorable achievements. They were a young company, working 80-hour weeks, and were recognized for the culture they committed to building into the business.

As community boosters, Jared and Central have been involved in several major philanthropic initiatives, including the Heart of Gold Gala with the Kelowna General Hospital. They’ve also held fundraisers for regular patrons facing health crisis: a young girl battling (and who eventually beat) a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and another to support a local woman living with Lyme Disease.

“You can choose courage or you can choose comfort. You can not have both.” - Brene Brown

Loyal Wooldridge is a passionate entrepreneur, social strategist and community advocate, with more than 15 years in small business ownership, 5.5 serving as Councillor for the City of Kelowna and the Chair/CEO of Regional District of Central Okanagan.  He believes in the power of community and supporting social priorities to empower personal development, connection and consensus. Loyal strives to identify commonalities, extrapolate key intentions, and lead discussions to a place of understanding, respect, negotiation, and advocacy to deliver results for emerging challenges.

Loyal continually works to convene community organizations to overcome emerging challenges and has helped secure new detox and secondary housing for the Bridge Youth & Family. One of his most memorable achievements was leading communications during the Grouse Complex Fires in 2023 to elevate confidence of members of the public in the Central Okanagan and being one of the political negotiators with provincial partners to secure disaster relief funding for recovery post fires.

An active volunteer, Loyal created a memorial foundation to commemorate his late mother that has funded community organizations to support youth programs, healthcare, animals, and housing for vulnerable people. He volunteers at numerous community and non-profit events like the YMCA, BCSPCA, and KGH Foundation, aiming to shine light on initiatives people might not be aware of.

“I am perfectly imperfect and getting better at it every day!”

Paige Mathison is the owner of owns Another Chapter Counselling where she works as a clinical counsellor. She leads her team with compassion and creating a ‘safe space’ for people to explore their authentic selves at their own pace. Her goal is to positively impact systems and those that work within them by showing how being valued and supported decreases risk of trauma in the workplace and adds longevity to their challenging careers.

Having worked in the Canadian medical system, Paige developed her business model to support and positively impact mental health professionals she works alongside of. She completed her Masters degree while working as a psychiatric nurse, growing her counselling business to a practice with eight professionals as of 2024. Paige offers mentorship for wellness professionals, volunteers to educate on mental wellbeing, and is a positive example of a woman changing careers.

One of Paige’s most memorable achievements is moving to Kelowna where she hit milestones she never knew existed, through empowerment and readiness for new adventure. This has contributed to Paige’s community contributions, from speaking at fundraisers to working with Mamas for Mamas on the ‘Embracing Joy’ series and continuing support at Third Space Charity.

“Dare to dream big, work hard, and stay true to your values. Best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Avi is rooted in the farming community and works alongside his dad, Karma, to grow apples and cherries. As there was limited opportunity to market these fruits being sold as a commodity, Avi and his family innovated by creating a beverage as a value-add product and brand. They launched Farming Karma in 2018.

The concept of “Doing Good” or “Good Karma” inspired the unique healthy, delicious, Okanagan fruit beverage for all age groups. Their philosophy started with providing a healthy and delicious alternative to high sugar beverages, so people can feel good about what they’re putting in their body. They took that very same philosophy beyond the soda can and ventured into the community to recognize those who deserves to receive some good karma: their “Do Good” initiative celebrates and rewards people who go that extra mile. In addition, they donate the product and volunteer in the community.

Since apple revenue has plummeted to a point where farming is no longer solely sustainable as a business, the Ministry of Agriculture set out an initiative to help apple farmers and Avi was tasked to play a role on a Committee that looks at the issues in the farming industry and find solutions. Being a voice for the farming community is important to Avi, and he has been featured at the TED Conference in Vancouver in 2022 and 2023.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Launching Good Sorts in the middle of a pandemic as a newcomer to Canada was incredibly challenging for Kristian. It tested his resilience and adaptability, helping him grow and connect with the community in ways he never expected. In three years, Good Sorts has grown to employ more than 27 team members from diverse backgrounds; it continues to double its annual revenue. This growth is due to Kristian’s “people first” approach, impacting his team members, clients, and the community. In 2022, Good Sorts and marked another significant milestone in growth and expanded their portfolio, acquiring Prime Concrete Coatings.

Kristian’s leadership style is deeply rooted in personal growth and opportunity, factors that can be overlooked in the janitorial sector. A belief of leading by example and fostering a culture where team members feel valued and empowered has transformed Good Sorts into more than just a cleaning company; it's a place where individuals, regardless of background or experience, can thrive and achieve their professional goals. This focus on nurturing talent has had a profound impact on Good Sorts and the growth marked by hard work, learning, and genuine connections. It reminds for Kristian what can be achieved with a committed team and supportive community. This reflection, more than any single achievement, stands out to him as his most memorable achievement.

“A Ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are meant for.”

Paul Tonita is a Partner at Pushor Mitchell LLP. Upon completion of law school, Paul clerked for six judges at the British Columbia Supreme Court. That experience provided him with tools and a framework for how to combat issues that arise in the practice of law, a vision of how courts view said issues, and how decisions are made. This has been beneficial for Paul’s clients and with his involvement in community.

Paul is on the Board of Directors for the Chamber Music Kelowna Society and the Urban Development Institute (UDI) u40 group, and he co-mentors summer/articling students at Pushor Mitchell. Paul strives to lead by example, and demonstrating an exceptional work product builds teamwork, trust, and respect. His positive attitude and strong work ethic inspires colleagues to produce the best results possible for the firm and their clients.

One of Paul’s most memorable and impactful contributions was a three-month teaching role in Kenya. He also helped build a protective fence for the school and provided schoolchildren with shoes. Looking back on his achievements, his most valuable one is raising two wonderful children with his wife Danielle.