Okanagan College Alumni Association Board
Why serve on the OCAA Board?
The Okanagan College Alumni Association is recruiting for a range of volunteer opportunities. This is a powerful way to grow personal and build professional expertise. Individuals who serve on a board have the opportunity to cultivate new skill sets as leaders. Through their service, they also expand their network of peers, professionals and community leaders, which provides new avenues for development, outreach, influence and mentorship.
Volunteer opportunities:
• Join our Board for September
• Take part in task force opportunities
• Volunteer at Okanagan College events
If you are interested in volunteering, contact alumni@okanagan.bc.ca.
The board is open to all OC and OUC Alumni who obtained eligible certificates, diplomas, degrees or credits totaling 30.
President
Kara Kazimer
Kara is President of the Board and is dedicated to keeping graduates connected to their alma mater. Graduating from Okanagan University College, Kara earned her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with distinction in 1999. During her studies, Kara gained extensive practical experience through opportunities to work in conjunction with the local business community and all levels of government agencies, and was awarded the Student Award of Excellence for her year-long baccalaureate project completed through her degree. In addition to her BBA, she has also earned diplomas in Marketing and Accounting and several market research, business development and quality management certificates.
Kara is married to OC alum, Jason Kazimer and they have two children, Alexander and Chelsea. Kara is now a Program Administrator for Continuing Studies at Okanagan College where she plays a key role in program development and the delivery of contract opportunities.
Vice President
Zach Webster
Zach has lived in the Okanagan-Shuswap since he was 10 years old. He attended Okanagan University College in its transition years from Okanagan University College to Okanagan College and received his Bachelor of Arts. He would go on to return to Okanagan College in later years to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons). He began his professional career as a research and teaching assistant and has remained in the education sector ever since.
Most recently, he spent 5 years in Alberta with Olds College as a Continuing Education Program Coordinator. While there, he worked programming for craft distilling professionals, conferences for agricultural lenders, and workshops for eclectically entrepreneurial hand spinners and weavers.
Zach returned to the Okanagan in 2018 and currently works as a Corporate Training Specialist with Okanagan College. Zach is married to Leah MacDermid and together they enjoy the incredible sights and activities of the Okanagan.
Treasurer
Ellece McGillivray
Originally from Jamaica, Ellece moved to the Okanagan in 2009. She completed her diploma in Accounting in 2010 and in 2018, upgraded to the Accounting degree program at OC. Prior to moving to Canada, Ellece completed the Banking and Finance degree program at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. She has over 15 years experience in banking, credit unions, accounting and customer service.
Ellece is always giving back to her community by donating to programs that will make a difference in the life of the people in the Okanagan. Her husband is a professor at the Okanagan College specializing in taxation. They have two beautiful children, Madelynn (6) and Michael (1). In their spare time, they enjoy skiing, hiking and spending quality time with the kids.
Board Member
Bryan Cresswell
Born and raised in the Okanagan Valley, Bryan graduated from Okanagan College with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree specializing in Accounting. While a student, he collaborated with classmates to successfully place first nationally at the 2022 Scotiabank National Case Competition in Montreal. As part of his undergraduate program, Bryan interned at an accounting firm in Penticton, B.C., where he prepared corporate financial statements as well as corporate and personal tax returns under the mentorship of the firm’s management team.
Bryan currently finds himself as a Financial Advisor at FocalPoint Financial Group, advising clients on how best to build and implement tax-smart financial strategies using insurance and investment solutions. With a desire to learn, Bryan continues to study for professional designations that can support his client’s.
In his spare time, Bryan can be found on the golf course or waterskiing on Okanagan Lake in the summer.
Board Member
Chea Elton
Chea’s passion for learning started at the Okanagan College while completing her Associate of Arts Diploma in 2010-2012. She continued her education at UBCO completing a Bachelor of Arts in 2018 and a Master of Arts degree in 2020. During her degrees, she was the President of the Geography Course Union, served on the board of the Central Okanagan Food Policy Council, and volunteered for numerous local food system related events in the Okanagan. Chea is passionate about community service, research and learning, and brings five years of volunteer coordination, event planning and project management to the board.
Chea is currently working in the Continuing Studies department at the Okanagan College as a Program Coordinator and volunteers for the College’s “Red Dot” players productions.
Board Member
Gordon Ficke
Born in Penticton and raised in Westbank, Gordon worked at various jobs and travelled extensively after graduating high school in 1970 from George Pringle Secondary School. After returning from a year abroad, Gordon decided to pursue a new career in electronics and enrolled in the Electro-Technology program at Okanagan College. Upon graduation in 1978, Gordon was hired at Pitney-Bowes as a service technician but since has changed career paths and owns and operates a nursery with his wife, Trish. Gordon has three daughters, all of whom have attended Okanagan College's predecessor, OUC.
Gordon has been involved with the Alumni Association for more than 15 years. He has served two terms as President, one term as the Chair of the Distinguished Alumni Award committee and is always willing to lend a hand volunteering at events.
Board Member
Choi Hou Leong
Choi graduated from Okanagan College’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program with a Finance specialty and a concentration in Data Science back in April 2023. Throughout his academic journey, Choi was actively involved in various leadership roles. While serving as a Portfolio Manager for the Okanagan College Student Investment Fund (OCSIF), Choi gained practical experience while serving as a mentor to other students. As a Board member of the Okanagan College Board of Governors and a member of the Okanagan College Education Council, Choi engaged in strategic decision-making and oversight of the institution’s strategic direction, bringing a valuable perspective to the governance of the institution.
Choi’s decision to join the Okanagan College Alumni Association (OCAA) is driven by his desire to give back to the college community, bringing positive impacts, fostering a dynamic alum network, and contributing to the ongoing excellence and growth of the Okanagan College Alumni Association.
Board Member
Doug McFee
Doug got involved with the Board in 2018 although his connection with the college began in 1994 where he was initially planning to upgrade his post secondary education and transfer to one of the larger universities. Those plans quickly changed when he met Erin (who was in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program) and he stayed to earn his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with distinction in 1999. Shortly after graduation Erin and Doug were married and left the Okanagan to pursue work opportunities.
Doug’s professional career started in Project Management with a company based in Richmond, BC that saw him gain international business experience, including three years living and working in London, England. To complement his work experience Doug completed the Omnium Global Executive MBA program in 2013 where he earned MBA degrees from the University of St Gallen, Switzerland and the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
Erin and Doug moved back to Kelowna in 2014 with their four boys; Andrew, Gavin, Tristan and Nigel. The family has settled nicely in the Okanagan and have been enjoying all that the region has to offer.
Board Member
Kadille Walker
Kadille's journey commenced with Okanagan University College (OUC) in 2016, where she pursued and completed a Communications, Culture and Journalism Studies Diploma.
She has a Human Resources and Administration background, with over 10 years experience in the Private and Public sectors, inclusive of Insurance, Banking and Finance, Customer Service and the Health Industries. Kadille holds a Bachelors in Human Resources Management, with Honors and Masters in Business Administration from the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).
Kadille has been a part of the Literacy Skills Tutoring Program at the Okanagan University College (OUC) for over 2 years while studying at the college. She also volunteered with the College's "Red Dot" Players (at their annual Live theatre presentation: "Sense & Sensibility") and was a part of the Communications Press Team in 2018 - FutureNow Forum (whose members were instrumental in launching the first event entitled - "Exhibits of Exceptional Work by OC Students"). Kadille has been active and is always excited to give back to her Alma Mater in anyway she can.
Kadille is married to Gairy and along with their son Jachin, they enjoy the awesome scenery of the beautiful Okanagan region.
Board Member
Vincent Yew
Vincent is an Okanagan College Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Alumni and a member of the OC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Vincent is an experienced ICF certified leadership coach dedicated to helping people and organizations develop leaders and teams. With over 16 years of experience in leadership development and HR, Vincent believes there are new ways of effective leadership, to foster collaboration, and to facilitate high performance in teams today. He has worked with professionals at all levels, from emerging leaders, to managers, to senior leaders (Directors and above) aiming to enhance their strategic thinking, leadership insights and skills. Vincent has professionally coached and trained leaders in organizations of all sizes including over 100,000+ employees.
Vincent comes with a Masters of Arts in Leadership, Bachelors of Business Administration and an Erickson Coaching Professional Certificate, and most recently certified as an Erickson High Performance Teams Coach.
