2019/2020
Dylana Bloor (Chair) is a partner with Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. She practices in the areas of commercial litigation and family law. Dylana joined Farris in 2001 and relocated from Vancouver to head up the litigation group in the Kelowna office in 2012. Ms. Bloor was appointed to the Board in April 2014.
Greg Garrard moved from the UK in 2013 to become Associate Professor of Sustainability in the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies at UBC Okanagan. He teaches and researches in the fields of environmental literature and human-animal studies, and he is a National Teaching Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. He is currently Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies in FCCS. Dr. Garrard was appointed to the Board in May 2017.
Jessica Hedrick is an artist who currently exhibits in four galleries across Canada and the US. She regularly teaches classes out of her home studio as well as travelling for workshops out of town. Recently she finished a project, The Face of Kelowna, finishing over 250 portraits of Kelowna residents for a CMHA fundraiser. Jessica also works at Hambleton Galleries and has owned her own gallery in Vancouver, BC.
June Nicolay is a local business woman and 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.
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 Christmas in November fundraising event, she is on the planning committee for 100 Heroes and is a member of our Appetite for Art committee and the presenting sponsor for the event this year.
Candace Surette (Treasurer) is a Chartered Professional Accountant and works as the Director of Quality at Crowe MacKay supporting a strong ethical culture that delivers high quality assurance engagements. Surette has been involved with the Alternator Center for Contemporary Art, first as a Treasurer and then as a Director at Large. Ms. Surette was appointed to the Board in April 2016.
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.
Susan van Unen is a Human Resources Professional, Trainer, Coach, and Facilitator employed with KF Aerospace. Susan is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CHRP), and a Certified Executive Coach (CEC). Previously she held several positions on the Southern Interior Advisory Board for the BC and Yukon Human Resources Management Association and on the Board of her daughters Elementary School Parents Association in the Netherlands. Ms. van Unen was appointed to the Board in May 2017.
Joanna Wrzesniewski (Past Chair) is a lawyer who has practiced as a solicitor in Kelowna since 2002 after graduating from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science (Genetics) and Juris Doctor (law degree). Joanna joined the law firm of Kimmitt & Co. in 2002 and became partner with R. Patrick Kimmitt in 2007. Joanna is now the proprietor of the law firm Kimmitt Wrzesniewski. Joanna has travelled extensively through the world and speaks Polish, English, French and Spanish. Her most recent travel this winter was through Vietnam and Cambodia. Ms. Wrzesniewski was appointed to the Board in April 2014 and is the Board President.
