2022
Lisanne Ballantyne has 30 years of business experience spanning economic development, destination attraction, public assembly facilities management, media and event production; government Indigenous relations and working with sustainability, technology, arts and culture and non-profit sector. Her professional experience, including Director of Marketing for the Edmonton Art Gallery just prior to its transformation to the Art Gallery of Alberta, results in a solid understanding of gallery operations, funding and board models.She is a graduate of the Public Relations Program of the University of Winnipeg, and holds her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba. As the current President and CEO of Tourism Kelowna, Ms. Ballantyne works to grow the visitor economy in our city. Ms Ballantyne was appointed to the Board in April 2020.
Gillian Dougans is an Associate Counsel with Hartshorne & Mehl, in Vancouver. Jill was born and raised in Vancouver and received her degrees, Arts and Law, from UBC. She practiced in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley before coming to the Okanagan. She has always been a trial lawyer in the areas of insurance defense, personal injury, employment and general litigation and more recently estate litigation. She is also an Adjunct Professor with UBCO in the Political Science department and teaches a course called “Issues in Contemporary Law”, POLI 432. Jill likes to cycle in the summer and ski in the winter. Ms. Dougans was appointed to the Board in April 2020.
Jillian Garrett is a Professor of Communications at Okanagan College, where she has been continuing faculty since 2007. Jillian’s teaching and subject matter expertise include visual culture, environmental communication, critical disability studies, cultural theory, argumentation and persuasion, and professional communication. Jillian’s scholarly interests primarily focus on issues around visual culture and include a fascination with how collective and cultural memory is created and sustained through public monuments and memorials, the function of visual culture in times of national crisis, and the pedagogical role of public art in urban culture. In addition to her lifelong passion for the Arts, Jillian is an avid believer in community service and has spent decades volunteering in the public health sector as a patient advocate; she also has many years’ experience sitting on academic governance committees at Okanagan College. Jillian has Bachelor of Arts degrees in Art History and English Literature from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Arts in English Literature from the University of Alberta.
Steve Huculiak began his 45 year design career in 1977 working in Vancouver, Toronto and now the Okanagan (since 1991). Focusing on the art of building design Steve created a long list of ‘works’ – architecture & urban design – as project designer, and is contracted regularly, to prominent architectural firms, cities, municipalities and local First Nations. While attending OCAD University and Emily Carr University of Art & Design Steve developed a keen eye and skilled hand, establishing him as a notable watercolourist. Steve brings a fresh perspective to the KAG Board with his unconventional and unaccredited career path success – arriving as by the corridors of an artist. Living in Kelowna since 2010, before that Peachland, Steve enjoys time with his wife Stacey (musician and life-force) and family/friends, enjoying the outdoors hiking, skiing, paddling, and basically roaming over this Syilx Okanagan wonderland. Travelling, film/TV and reading are some other of his favourite soul enriching activities. Mr. Huculiak was appointed to the Board in January 2022.
Kara James is a professional accountant and CFO with over 20 years’ experience. She worked as the CFO for the Western Canada division of Sysco Canada for 7 of her 17 years with the company. Currently Kara is a term profession at the Okanagan School of Business and the owner of JB CFO consulting. She was member of JCI Okanagan and served as Treasurer for that organization. Kara is the Director of Mentorship for Kelowna Women in Business and has been a Board member for Kelowna Women in Business since June 2020. Kara has extensive experience with financial reporting, financial due diligence, budgeting, internal controls, and strategic planning. She is very aware of the fiduciary responsibilities of a Board of Directors and has worked with several clients to identify, measure and implement key governance responsibilities. Kara is excited being a part of the Gallery community and especially assisting the Gallery in executing its 2022-2024 strategic plan. Ms James was appointed to the Board in February 2022.
Kassie Nadler is a senior accountant 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 a engaged member of the arts community. Ms Nadler was appointed to the Board in February 2022.
Sarah Neely is the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at UBC’s Okanagan Campus. She holds a Bachelor of Management degree from UBC’s Okanagan Campus, and brings over a decade of diverse management experience in the areas of marketing and communications, finance, First Nations, professional services, hospitality, real estate, construction, green building (LEED), arts and culture, design, charity and not-for-profit, and sustainability. As a trusted partner to senior leadership, she helps organizations achieve their strategic goals. Ms. Neely was appointed to the Board in August 2019.
June Nicolay is the owner of distrib-u-tec Software, which develops and implements Food Industry Specific Software Products. Locally June has been involved in many organizations including the Kelowna Yacht club, Founding Donor of the Visiting Artist Mentorship Program at University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), Board of Director and Past Chair of Opera Kelowna. June has a long-time interest in the arts. She is currently a member of our Acquisitions committee. Ms. Nicolay was appointed to the Board in April 2019 and is currently the Board President.
Camille Saltman is an Indo-Canadian-American entrepreneur. She moved to Kelowna with her husband in 2015 and is Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of INCA Renewtech, an international bio-composites innovation and manufacturing company. Since moving to the region she has co-founded Okanagan WMAN angel group, built [email protected], a business accelerator for the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus, co-chaired the Opera Kelowna board and co-founded the non-profit Okanagan Sustainability Leadership Council. Over 20 years, prior to moving back to Canada, she was President of Malama Composites, MD Revolution and the business accelerator CONNECT, credited with building San Diego’s leadership as one of the top tech clusters in the world. She held board leadership roles with Tony award winning La Jolla Playhouse and globally recognized La Jolla Music Society and leading trade organizations. She is recipient of the YWCA Spirit of Commitment Award, the San Diego Performing Arts League STAR Award, the YWCA Tribute to Women and Industry Award, 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 San Diego Ad Club. Ms Saltman was appointed to the Board in January 2022.
Lori Samuels is a wealth manager at Raymond James in Kelowna. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary and has successfully completed several industry designations. Lori has volunteered her time with many organizations over the years including 7 years with the BC SPCA. She currently volunteers her time with event planning and fundraising for the annual Raymond James fundraising event and she is on the planning committee for 100 Heroes. Ms. Samuels was appointed to the Board in 2019 and is currently the Chair of our Appetite for Art committee.
Stoke Tonne has always had a passion for art as he majored with a BA in art history with a focus on architectural history in his undergraduate degree and went on to graduate with a Masters in Architecture. He has woven his love of art into his business of design and works daily as an architect at improving the quality of the public realm. He lives in the Heritage District and practices in downtown Kelowna and is committed to enhancing the vibrancy downtown core with recent projects such as the Kelowna Yacht Club and the Okanagan Centre for Innovation. Mr. Tonne was appointed to the Board in May 2017 and is currently Past- President.
