KCR - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Chartered Professional Accountant
Bill is a Chartered Professional Accountant with experience in working with small business clients, personal tax clients and providing assurance services.
Brendon practices as a Notary Public, specializing in real estate conveyancing and personal planning. He has helped several adoptive families finalize their adoptions. This opportunity came about primarily due to the fact that Brendon, together with his wife Sheri, adopted both of their daughters through Adoption by Shepherd Care in Orlando, facilitated by the Adoption Centre of British Columbia in Kelowna.
After high school he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Victoria. A few years later Brendon then attended Okanagan University College to complete a Business Administration diploma with a specialization in accounting. Brendon then worked a variety of jobs as controller/project manager/construction manager for Kelowna area construction firms and even operated his own construction management company for a number of years. Brendon was accepted for enrolment into the Master's of Arts Applied Legal Studies program offered by Simon Fraser University in conjunction with the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia. He received his Masters Degree and was ultimately commissioned as a Notary Public in 2013.
David Brown, President Lawyer, Ascent Employment Law Corporation david@ascentemploymentlaw.ca Professional & Community Development: David practices as a trial lawyer, with a focus on employment law, human rights law and immigration law. Personal Info: Originally from Elkford, British Columbia, David completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics at the University of Alberta. During his undergraduate degree, he had the opportunity to participate in a full-year exchange program to the Université Catholique de Lille, in Lille, France. Upon graduation, David worked briefly as a heavy equipment operator in an open-pit coal mine before moving to New Brunswick in 2006. David is an avid outdoorsman and loves hiking, biking, running, camping and snowboarding.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Associate Professor at the Faculty of Management
Eric is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Management of the University of British Columbia - Okanagan campus. He is also the Principal's Research Chair (Tier 2) in Social Innovation for Health Equity and Food Security, and the Co-Lead, Rural Health Equity Eminence Research Cluster at the University of British Columbia - Okanagan campus. His research includes social enterprise and social innovation, not-for-profit marketing, pro-social behaviour, multicultural marketing and consumption, consumer well-being, health promotion, consumer privacy, food economy and market system, fashion and popular culture, and digital marketing and social media marketing. His work has been published and presented in a number of academic journals and conferences.
Jasmine Somal, Director Lawyer, Ocana Law jasmine@ocana.ca Professional & Community Development: Jasmine practices as a solicitor lawyer in Kelowna, with a focus on Canadian immigration law. Reason & Role on the KCR Board: As a child of immigrant parents, Jasmine is extremely passionate about assisting individuals immigrate to Canada. One of her main reasons for choosing to be on the KCR board is that KCR provides a strong sense of community, resources and support to new immigrants settling in the Okanagan region. Personal Info: Born and raised in the Okanagan, Jasmine completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology locally at UBCO. After completing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Jasmine attended TRU in Kamloops to complete her legal studies. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys staying active outdoors, working out, exploring the Okanagan and travelling the world.
Job Titles:
- Regional Marketing Manager at MNP
- Regional Marketing Manager, MNP LLP
Karen is the Regional Marketing Manager at MNP, one of Canada's leading professional services firms. Her role involves driving the firm's regional growth by building the brand, promoting team members, and offering tailored accounting, consulting, and tax solutions to local business owners, not for profits and Indigenous communities. She takes pride in the MNP team's dedication to giving back to our regional communities through volunteer and fundraising initiatives.
Laura currently is an Associate Dean at the Okanagan School of Business at Okanagan College. In this role, she works with a leadership team and approx. 90 faculty and staff serving 1500 Business students across four campuses in the Okanagan and Shuswap area. Most recently, she was an Associate Dean in The Science, Technology and Health portfolio at Okanagan College working with 13 teaching departments in the Science and Technology areas. As a Business professor, Laura specialized in teaching Leadership, Strategic Management, Human Resources Planning, and Organizational Development and Change.
As an active member of her local business community, she is very aware of the challenges facing businesses today and strives to help new and existing businesses develop and expand. Laura is a Past President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, past Director of the British Columbia Wine Authority, and current director of the Chartered Professionals of Human Resources (CPHRBC & Yukon).
Michele has over 25 years experience as a Corporate Finance executive / CFO with public companies, private corporations and start ups. She has worked in several rapid growth sectors including consulting services, technology, renewable energy, esports and wellness. Michele is passionate about mentioning entrepreneurs and early-stage career individuals.
Peter Boyd, Director Owner, Peter's Your Independent Grocer Professional & Community Development: Owner of Peter's Your Independent Grocer. 27 years in the retail food industry in Kelowna. Reason & Role on the KCR Board: I have followed KCR through my years in Kelowna and I am so impressed with the support it provides for our community and being asked to be a Board member is a true honour. Personal Info: Peter was born in Whiterock, BC, but moved to Kelowna in 1989. He enjoys golfing, baseball and spending time with his family.