2025/26
Dr. Lesley Cormack is Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. An historian of early modern science, Dr. Cormack specializes in geography and mathematics of late 16th and early 17th century England. She earned both her PhD and Master of Arts from the University of Toronto where she studied history and philosophy of science and technology.
Dr. Cormack joined UBC in July 2020 from the University of Alberta where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2010 to 2020. Previously, she was Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at Simon Fraser University from 2007 to 2010 and, earlier, she taught at the University of Alberta in the Department of History and Classics for 17 years.
Dr. Cormack is a strong advocate for public education and a believer in the power of culture and the value of storytelling. One of her greatest passions is live theatre, a passion she pursued as a Director for the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton for nine year
Brent Coyne, Secretary, is an associate lawyer at Pushor Mitchell in Kelowna. Brent holds a Bachelor of Arts from University of British Columbia Vancouver, and Juris Doctor of Laws from Bond University on the Gold Coast, Australia. Brent advises clients in all aspects of family law. Brent also has considerable experience in a wide variety of commercial and civil litigation matters, including contractual disputes, negligence claims, and real and stratified property disputes. Brent is a trial lawyer and has successfully represented clients at all levels of court in British Columbia.
Brent is formerly the director of governance for the Kelowna Community Music School, and currently serves as the director of governance for Canada Skateboard; national governing body for amateur and Canadian athletes at the Olympics and international events. A keen photographer himself, Brent is an art enthusiast with a particular appreciation for the medium of photography, with a particular passion for 20th century and contemporary black and white photography. Mr. Coyne was appointed to the Board in December 2022 and is currently on the Kelowna Art Gallery’s Art Acquisition Committee.
Dr. Susan Crichton is currently an emeritus professor at the University of British Columbia and was the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Education and the founding director of the Innovative Learning Centre (http://innovativelearningcentre.ca/). She is currently a consultant and designer in system change, participatory research, virtual learning and innovation and a co-founder of Clayline Pottery Studios (https://claylinepottery.ca/).
She taught in both the Bachelor of Education and graduate programs, focusing on new media, design thinking, Making, and appropriate technologies. Her research explores
the thoughtful design and development of learning environments to enable quality learning, especially those in challenging contexts. She has worked to develop an immersive professional learning approach for professional learning, introducing maker education to educators locally and globally. Her work, focused on design and making, can be found at http://commons.royalroads.ca/takiningmaking/ and can be freely downloaded by acknowledging its Creative Commons licensing. Previously, she was a professor at the University of Calgary.
She has been a visiting professor in Bhutan, Chile, China, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania, South Africa, and Uganda principally in the area design thinking, change and innovation, appropriate technologies, and making.
Richard James Deacon is an award-winning Private Office Real Estate Advisor with Engel & Völkers, the world’s #1 luxury real estate firm. With 28 years of global luxury sales and marketing experience, Richard specializes in buying and selling iconic properties in Canada’s Okanagan Valley. He is the co-founder of TIGER 21 Canada, a private investor education organization for ultra-high-net-worth families, boasting over 1,100 members with assets exceeding $135B.
Richard is a dedicated philanthropist with numerous volunteer roles, including Past-President of the National Advertising Benevolent Society, a national judge for the Courage to Come Back Awards, and a Campaign Cabinet member for the University of British Columbia’s Business Families Centre. He was nominated for the National Top 40 Under 40 Award in 2006 and has been involved with various organizations such as the Nicola Valley Food Bank, Union Gospel Mission, and Arts Umbrella.
In 2016, Richard and his family created a student leadership and mentoring program in Reston, Manitoba. He was a finalist for the City of Kelowna’s Fred Macklin Community Man of the Year Award in 2018 and the Okanagan Real Estate Board’s Realtor’s Care Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Richard also developed a sustainable giving program, donating over $150,000 to more than 60 charities across North America.
Steve Huculiak began his design career in 1977, working in Vancouver and Toronto before settling in the Okanagan Valley in 1991. With 48 years of experience, he has built an extensive portfolio in architecture and urban design, serving as a project designer for leading architectural firms, cities, municipalities, and local First Nations.
Educated at OCAD University and Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Steve is also an accomplished visual artist, known for his distinctive work in watercolour and mixed media. His artistic practice continues to evolve, drawing on both formal training and deep personal exploration.
Since moving to Kelowna in 2010, Steve has remained active in the local arts and design community. He enjoys life with his wife Stacey, a musician and life force, and finds inspiration in nature through hiking, skiing, paddling, and exploring the Okanagan landscape. His interests also include travel, film, and literature.
Steve joined the Kelowna Art Gallery Board in January 2022, and Chairs the Kelowna Art Gallery’s Art Acquisition Committee, bringing a thoughtful, creative perspective grounded in both professional design and a lifelong commitment to the arts.
Kara James, Treasurer, is the Chief Operating Officer at Pushor Mitchell LLP, bringing over 24 years of financial leadership experience across corporate, legal, and consulting sectors. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), Kara began her career in public practice with KPMG in 1998 before joining Sysco Canada in 2003. Over her 17 years with Sysco, she held various Director and CFO roles, contributing to the company’s strategic growth.
In 2020, Kara joined Pubco Reporting Solutions, a boutique firm in Vancouver, BC, and later co-founded JB CFO, a sister consulting practice providing fractional CFO services to startups, small to mid-sized entrepreneurial organizations, and non-profits.
Kara taught accounting and entrepreneurship at Okanagan College’s School of Business from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, she also served as a business mentor for Entrepreneurship@UBC – Okanagan Campus. She is deeply committed to community leadership and mentorship. Kara served on the board of Kelowna Women in Business as Vice President and Director of Mentorship, where she created the organization’s first mentorship program in 2020–2021. She was also a member of the Ellis Place Supportive Housing Community Advisory Committee.
Currently, Kara serves on the Kelowna Art Gallery Board—to which she was appointed in February 2022—and is passionate about contributing to the Gallery’s 2022–2024 strategic plan.
Dr. Samantha Lenci, was named Provost and Vice President, Academic at Okanagan College in December 2023. She brings with her expertise in the design, development, implementation, and measurement of complex strategies about teaching and learning.
Samantha’s educational experience started at what was then called Mount Royal College (now University), where she earned a diploma in Early Childhood Education in 1991. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Community Rehabilitation from the University of Calgary in 1995, and returned there for her Master of Education degree, where she specialized in Diversity, Adult Education and Workplace Learning. She holds a Doctor of Education degree from U of C, where she has specialized in Professional Skill based education, in Higher Education Leadership.
Samantha has spent more than 20 years leading a variety of programs in education that provided leadership, community development, strategic planning, project management and program development during stints at Mount Royal University, Bow Valley College, SAIT, and Lethbridge Polytechnic. Most recently, she has worked as Provost at Lethbridge Polytechnic. In her new position, she looks forward to supporting and building upon the college’s teaching and learning strengths and working closely with all members of the community to realize the college’s strategic goals.
Kassie Nadler, Treasurer, is a Manager at BDO in the audit department, with a focus on not-for profit organizations for the last three years. She completed her CPA designation in January 2022. Kassie is experienced in accounting and the analysis of financial information through her work in the not-for-profit sector. She is an art enthusiast and has participated in several Gallery events in the past. Kassie is looking forward to working with the Gallery in her capacity as an accountant and as an engaged member of the arts community. Ms Nadler was appointed to the Board in February 2022.
Camille Saltman, President, is Co-founder, Chair and General Partner of OKGN WMAN Angel Funds. OKGN WMAN is a suite of 3 angel investment funds where 55+ accredited women investors have pooled their capital to support women founded and women led Canadian social impact businesses.
She is co-founder of INCA Renewable Composites, a Kelowna-based advanced bio-composites solutions company serving the automotive and consumer goods markets. Over her 40-year-career she has led multiple technology companies including MD Revolution, which provides remote care management to more than 80,000 patients across the US and is one of INC. 5000 America’s fastest growing companies. She also led the business accelerator CONNECT, credited with building San Diego’s leadership as one of the top tech ecosystems in the world.
She is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Kelowna Art Gallery and has held board leadership roles with Tony award winning La Jolla Playhouse; La Jolla Music Society, one of the West Coast’s leading presenters of premier performing arts; San Diego Social Venture Partners; and trade organizations including BIOCOM, the San Diego Telecom Council (now EvoNexus), and Cleantech San Diego. She is recipient of the Kelowna Chamber 40 over 40 Award, the YWCA Spirit of Commitment Award, the San Diego Performing Arts League STAR Award, the YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry Award, and the San Diego Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Award and has received multiple awards from the American Marketing Association, Public Relations Society of America and the San Diego Ad Club.
