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Okanagan College Foundation

A donor and student attending an award reception.

Inspired giving

Together, we are transforming lives and communities

Featured project: Recreation and Wellness Centre

A rendering of the Recreation and Wellness Centre
Thrive Here campaign
Help students and community thrive

Many people are surprised to learn that Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus does not have a gymnasium. There is no place for intramurals, pick-up games or tournaments, and no home side venue for the Â黨´«Ã½Coyotes’ basketball and baseball teams to train.

When the College community comes together to celebrate convocation – we don’t have a large indoor central hub or space.

This needs to change – and that’s why we’re prioritizing a new Recreation and Wellness Centre. We need your help to get to the finish line.

Learn more

Giving that lasts generations

Sign up for Â黨´«Ã½ Foundation updates

Do you believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities? Sign up for our email newsletter for stories of inspiration,  updates and ways you can get involved. Drop us a line and we will add you to our community!

Your impact

Get involved

Rob Lindstrand with TD Commercial Banking tours the new Health Sciences Centre with Okanagan College Foundation ED Helen Jackman
Book a tour

Contact us to take a tour of our new Health Sciences Centre or any of our four campuses. Email foundation@okanagan.bc.ca to book a tour.

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Volunteer

We are looking for engaged community leaders to join our Board of Directors.  Learn more about the role and responsibilities here.  Send your resume to: foundation@okanagan.bc.ca

Impact stories

Â黨´«Ã½Foundation Events

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Foundation information

To donors, with gratitude


This year's Gratitude Report is a tribute to the inspiring stories donors made possible and the lasting impact they've helped create.

Click on the image below to view this year's report.
 

 

Full audited financial statements for Okanagan College Foundation are available here. 

Supporting the transformative power of education

We inspire giving to transform lives and communities.  

We engage community to invest in Okanagan College’s campuses, learning spaces, equipment, and programs, and we create opportunities for donors to help students fulfill their potential through education.  

  • We build sustainable funds which support the success of today’s students and manage the growth of our endowment to safeguard that of future generations. 

  • We build trust and credibility with donors through sound financial management and good governance. We value transparency and integrity and adopt the Donor Bill of Rights. 

  • We support the College’s commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice

  • We pledge to work with, learn from and listen to our Indigenous communities as we engage donors to help advance the College’s journey toward reconciliation. 

  • We engage community to support Okanagan College’s Inspire Plan â€“ fund development responds to and advances the strategic priorities of the College and the regions it serves.  

 

Charitable Registration #86248 8194 RR0001

Okanagan College Foundation Board of Directors

 

  • Katie Newman, Chair
  • Ginny Manning, Vice-Chair (Governance)
  • Tim Draper, Vice-Chair (Community Engagement Committee)
  • Anne Marie Meehan, Vice-Chair, Member at Large (Finance Committee)
  • Connie Denesiuk, Past Chair
  • Helen Jackman, Executive Director
  • Sue Beaudry
  • Leneigh M. Bosdet
  • Kelly Chapman
  • Riley Dunsmore
  • Dr. Neil Fassina
  • Mike Hooker
  • Scott Millard
  • Curtis Morcom, Treasurer
  • Matt Nye
  • Ramesh Rikhi
  • Mitchell LaRue
  • Dale Safinuk, Chair, Okanagan College Board of Governors
  • Dr. Steve Tuck, President Emeritus
  • Dawn Douglas, Board Secretary

Employee giving

When you, as an Okanagan College employee give, it speaks volumes. This is because you have unique insight into precisely what's needed based on your close relationship to the College.

Meet our team

Helen Jackman

Executive Director
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4775
Â黨´«Ã½Foundation - Helen Jackman

Helen joined Okanagan College as Director Advancement and Executive Director of the Okanagan College Foundation in 2019. She has over 25 years of experience in non-profit management and leadership, fundraising and partnership development gained in roles in the U.K. and Canada.

Helen has a BA in English Literature and Language from the University of Leeds, an MA from Birmingham City University, and executive education from London Business School. Prior to joining Okanagan College, Helen was Executive Director UWSIBC, Executive Director Â黨´«Ã½ National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts, and Chief Executive of the Macular Society.

When she’s not working with donors who are passionate about education, she’s hiking, skiing or watching her son play soccer.

Sasha Carter

Manager, Development
Office: E Building 107C
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-469-1594
Image of Sasha Carter

Sasha Carter joined the Okanagan College Foundation team in August 2021. With more than five years’ experience working in nonprofit planned giving and 17 years in the insurance industry, Sasha blends passion and financial acumen to support donors in planning their legacy. 

Sasha helps donors with identifying their passions and aligning them with projects at Okanagan College, whether that be for individual student supports and bursaries, estate planning or capital project and program enhancement.  There is never one size fits all. 

For Sasha, it is paramount that she understands how her donors would like to have their positive impact felt in the world.  By understanding the different methods of funding, whether it be through publicly-traded gifts of securities, a gift in a will or other charitable tools, Sasha helps donors maximize their philanthropy.

Sasha is a mom to two young boys, and is an avid competitive curler.  She has competed on the provincial, national and international stage; capturing the title of World Champion in both 1995 and 2007. 

Pamela Prentice

Development Officer
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103B
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-864-6090
Pam Prentice in Â黨´«Ã½Centre for Learning Stairway

Pam Prentice joined the Okanagan College Foundation team in July 2023.

With over 15 years of experience in post-secondary and nonprofit fundraising in the Okanagan, Pam enjoys connecting community members with opportunities to make an impact through their philanthropy.

The motivation to give is different for everyone, and it’s the stories behind the giving that Pam is most interested in learning. Whether it be support for students, a specific program of interest or a capital campaign, she guides the process of giving with care and respect for the donor’s wishes.

Pam is a strong believer in the value of post-secondary education and is inspired by the many areas of study available to prospective Okanagan College students. Passionate about student health and wellbeing, Pam understands the impact of having a healthy mind and body and how it drives academic and career success.

Living in Kelowna since 2003, Pam and her family feel privileged to enjoy the many outdoor activities that the beautiful Okanagan Valley presents.

Camille Jensen

Communications Advisor, Advancement
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6409
Â黨´«Ã½Foundation - Camille Jensen

Camille is responsible for campaign communications planning, public and media relations, and the creation of website content and other key publications.

Prior to joining Okanagan College, Camille has worked in a number of diverse roles from media to business consulting to launching a tech platform.

Camille loves helping people tell their stories. She feels very lucky to share the inspiring stories of students and donors alike, demonstrating first-hand the transformative power of education.

Camille has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy and Economics (PPE).

Debbie Walsh

Campaign Coordinator
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4785
Photo of Debbie Walsh

Deb serves as the Campaign Coordinator for Advancement - Okanagan College Foundation. Her primary focus is supporting capital campaigns. She is responsible for coordinating meetings for the Campaign Cabinet, organizing fundraising and community events, and supports the development of proposals and gifts.

Prior to joining the Advancement team, Deb was a teacher in Alberta and brings experience working with foundations and stakeholders to support initiatives that enhance communities. She is passionate about creating relationships that help build community and enhance the learning experience for students.

Dawn Douglas

Administrative Coordinator, Advancement Operations
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103C
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4774
Â黨´«Ã½Foundation - Dawn Douglas

An OUC alumna and 25+ year employee of Okanagan College, Dawn is the Administrative Coordinator, Advancement Operations and the Board Secretary for the Okanagan College Foundation. She manages the department's operational processes and information systems, departmental and Â黨´«Ã½Foundation Board policies and procedures, and governance for the Foundation. Dawn also manages fundraising initiatives including the 50/50 Staff Lottery program and Giving Tuesday.

In 2020, Dawn was recognized by Okanagan College and her peers with the Career Achievement Award, highlighting her dedication to the College and passion for supporting students.

A born and raised Okanaganite, Dawn spends her free time outside enjoying all the Okanagan has to offer, or at the hockey rink cheering on her two sons.

Samantha Blandon

Development Officer, Annual Giving
Office: E Building 107B
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4836
Â黨´«Ã½Foundation - Samantha Blandon

Samantha serves as the Campaign Coordinator for the Advancement department and Okanagan College Foundation. Her primary focus is supporting capital campaigns. She is responsible for coordinating meetings for the Campaign Cabinet, events and tours for donors and the community, and supporting the Director and Development Officers.

In 2019, Samantha was recognized by Okanagan College and her peers with a Service Excellence Award for consistently going beyond her regular duties and responsibilities to meet the needs of Okanagan College and contribute to our culture of service excellence.

Prior to joining the Advancement team in 2013, Samantha worked with local societies and non-profit organizations. Her primary responsibilities were to maintain and grow positive relations, and to creatively enhance the service experience.

Samantha earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (with Distinction), with a focus in Finance and Marketing, from Okanagan College in 2013. 

Fiona Chan

Donations and Database Coordinator
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4351
Photo of Fiona Chan

Fiona Chan joined Okanagan College Foundation as the Donation and Database Coordinator in September 2023.  

Originally from Hong Kong, Fiona has 20 years' experience working in IT for the insurance industry with a focus on project management and systems analysis. Fiona is passionate about numbers and database management. 

Fiona also understands the student experience. She came to Okanagan College to study Business Administration in 2020 and graduated with Distinction in 2022. During her studies, Fiona received several academic scholarships, making her feel supported and recognized. She finds it meaningful to now work with the Okanagan College Foundation team and help more students fulfill their potential as they pursue their academic and career goals. 

Jacob Cinkant

Department Assistant
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4636
Jacob Cincant

Jacob Cinkant works as the Division Assistant for the Okanagan College Foundation with a key focus of service, organization and efficiency. 

A lifelong resident of the Okanagan Valley, Jacob studied computers systems at BCIT before attending UBCO and receiving a Bachelor of Management Degree in 2010. His first assignment at Okanagan College was in Human Resources in 2014. Since then, he has provided service across several College departments, including Finance, Continuing Studies and Trades.

Jacob provides a wide range of service to the Foundation team with a focus on maximizing the positive impact Â黨´«Ã½can have in peoples’ lives.
 

Help transform lives and communities