our team
the people behind the programs
Like most non-profit organizations, we rely on a small but dedicated group of volunteers and professionals to run Launch Okanagan. These passionate, community-minded people give their time and talents to ensure program participants and community partners can experience our programs at no cost.
board of directors
Jason Peters
Board Chair
Director, Wealth at Valley First Credit Union
Michael Wendland
Launch Founder & Director
Entrepreneur
Aaron Dow
Vice Chair
Partner, Lawson Lundell
Leanne Hammond
Secretary
Executive Director, Community Foundation North Okanagan
Dave Gautier
Treasurer
Partner, Crowe MacKay
Esther Granger
Director
Manager, Marketing, KPMG
Bryan Redford
Director
Retired Health Care Manager
Christian Nielsen
Director
Private Banker, BMO Private Wealth
Connie Procter
Director
Account Manager, TD Commercial Banking
Carly Gilmore
Director
Associate Advisor, Noble Pannu Wealth Management
staff
Jennifer Robins
Executive Director & Facilitator
Jennifer Robins has been the Executive Director of Launch Okanagan since 2019. It has always been her passion to help people learn how to manage their money in a way that builds their confidence and improves their financial stability.
Prior to joining Launch, Jennifer was a professional in the financial services industry for over 20 years, spending 15 years with CIBC in St. John’s, Halifax, Vancouver, and Kelowna. She has held the designation of Certified Financial Planner since 2005.
Jennifer’s interest in the not for profit sector started 10 years ago while volunteering with the United Way in Kelowna. She was a board member for the United Way Southern Interior BC for 7 years and during that time had the privilege of meeting so many different not -for- profit leaders in the community.
“I always knew that I wanted to be part of the non-profit community. From the second I learned about Launch, I realized it was a perfect fit for me.”
Krista Fraser
Program Facilitator
Krista is a program facilitator with Launch Okanagan who brings her planning, facilitation and financial industry experience from a 30+ year corporate career in IT, consulting and banking to help deliver our courses. Krista is currently leading our Matched Savings program and is involved in several Launch Okanagan classes with local community organizations in Kelowna.
“I am excited to be helping others improve their financial literacy and in doing so, build their confidence in managing their personal financial affairs.”
Dawn Allen
Program Facilitator
With many years of experience Dawn currently is supporting vulnerable families in the South Okanagan area. Dawn is immensely involved in adult education as an instructor in the Continuing Studies Program at Okanagan College.
Dawn is currently providing Launch Okanagan’s Dollars & Sense programs to small, in person groups with our community partners in Penticton.
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day… teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher
Rita Harrison
Program Facilitator
Rita brings a background in adult education, curriculum writing, and informal counselling to her role as a program facilitator with Launch Okanagan. She works with several community partners, leading financial literacy groups and doing one-on-one coaching with clients.
“I love watching people grow in confidence as they develop their financial skills.”
Susan Weeda
Program Facilitator
Susan brings over 25 years of financial industry expertise to her passion for financial literacy. Certified as a Financial Planner, with multiple certificates from investment management through divorce financial specialist, she loves helping people become more confident and comfortable through knowledge and understanding. She helps individuals through one on one coaching as well as leading groups both in person and online.
“I believe that success is a combination of knowledge, action and perseverance and that the first step in anything is pretty much always the most difficult – and the most important.”
Volunteer Facilitators
Our Volunteer Facilitators are an integral part of Launch Okanagan and we simply could not do it without them. They bring experience, education, and skills from a variety of backgrounds: financial, business, not for profit, adult education, and the social service sector are just some of what our volunteers bring to Launch and to our participants.
This role offers a genuine opportunity to enable individuals in our community to fulfill their potential through financial education, mentorship and collaboration.
julie kent
Volunteer Facilitator
Julie facilitates the Dollars and Sense class at Karis Society. We welcome Julie’s expertise and willingness to teach. One of Julie’s particular passions is to see women and youth equipped and empowered to confidently manage their finances. This is just one reason why Julie is great Launch Okanagan volunteer.
tamara pals
Volunteer Facilitator
Tamara was born and raised in the Okanagan and has been a financial advisor since 2010. In 2021 she obtained her Certified Financial Planner® designation, and opened her own boutique financial planning firm, Clear Worth Financial Group, in Kelowna in 2022. Tamara is a wife, mom, volunteer, and a business owner who works to provide financial education to help people have a healthier relationship with their finances and a better clarity of their financial situation and worth.
andrew glen
Volunteer Facilitator
Andrew facilitates our Matched Savings program. We are grateful to have Andrew teach these classes as he brings with him not only a wealth of financial knowledge but real interest in the financial well being of his class participants. Born and raised in the Okanagan, Andrew has a vested interest in the well being of this community. He resides here with his wife Katrina and their four children.
join the team!
Do you have a passion to impact people’s lives in a positive way?
Do you have administrative, financial management and/or marketing experience?
Please connect with our Executive Director, we’d love to chat!
