Andrew started in the construction and land development industry with creating and operating Green Solutions Inc., a general contractor for sustainability-oriented single family homes. Andrew now works at G Group Developments, managing roles in sales, marketing, finance and municipal management. In his spare time, you’ll find Andrew engaged in various outdoor activities, and pursuing interests in various other creative business endeavors.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Sylvia Earle's TED Prize Wish to Protect Our Oceans

Allyssa is dedicated to making connections in her community. She is a long-standing volunteer for several organizations throughout the Okanagan. Her drive to share inspiring messages for the betterment of the community fuels her passion for TEDxKelowna, and continues to shape her career as a Marketing and Communications Strategist at The University of British Columbia.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Living Beyond Limits: Amy Purdy at TEDxOrangeCoast

Drew is the OYP Collective Officer, a program under the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission that aims to attract and retain young professionals in the region. Drew is passionate about sustainable change through social innovation and enterprise. While taking an ‘Entrepreneurship in Developing and Emerging Nations’ course through Okanagan College, Drew travelled to Ethiopia and realized that simple ideas and effective execution, when combined with free enterprise, can change the world. Inspired by Muhammad Yunus, Drew’s goals are focused on utilizing the free market to enable and support those in need.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Rory Sutherland - Perspective is everything

Hannah graduated from the business program at UBC Okanagan in the top of her class. With a focus in psychology, Hannah is fascinated by people and loves to learn. During the week, you can find her organizing the team at Sayvee as the Project Manager. In her spare time she's probably outside doing something active... cycling, mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding, boating, or traveling the world. As a youth leader for 7 years, she is passionate about seeing our young girls reach their potential and build true confidence despite instability in our world. Social justice issues tug at her heart and she tries to fight for our most vulnerable.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Simon Sinek - The Golden Circle

Dani is a lawyer at a local law firm, where she assists clients with their real estate and estate planning needs. Born and raised in the Okanagan, Dani has firm roots in the area and is dedicated to the local community and the TEDxKelowna vision. In her spare time, you can usually find her outside hiking, running, or skiing.

Ali is a lawyer at Doak Shirreff LLP practicing in real estate and business law. Prior to settling in Kelowna Ali moved often for work, to study, or for travel. Having now established herself in Kelowna she is excited to be involved in the community and TEDx. With a passion for being active and outdoors Ali keeps herself busy with the year-round recreation the Okanagan has to offer.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Jackson Katz - Violence against women—it's a men's issue

Kylaina is an Assistant Branch Manager with Valley First, a Division of First West Credit Union. Kylaina grew up in Penticton and has spent the last 5 years living in Kelowna. She has a passion for community and sport. She volunteers at the Central Okanagan Food Bank, organizes a charity slo-pitch team in support of BC Children’s Hospital each year and plays on a local women’s soccer team. Kylaina also supports the Okanagan Young Professionals group through her position at Valley First. Kylaina is excited to partake in the TEDxKelowna Event and looks forward to many more in the future.

Favourite TEDTalk:

Frank Warren - Half a Million Secrets

Allyssa is dedicated to making connections in her community. She is a long-standing volunteer for several organizations throughout the Okanagan. Her drive to share inspiring messages for the betterment of the community fuels her passion for TEDxKelowna, and continues to shape her career as a Marketing and Communications Strategist at The University of British Columbia.

FAVORITE TED TALK:

Living Beyond Limits: Amy Purdy at TEDxOrangeCoast

Dani is a lawyer at a local law firm, where she assists clients with their real estate and estate planning needs. Born and raised in the Okanagan, Dani has firm roots in the area and is dedicated to the local community and the TEDxKelowna vision. In her spare time, you can usually find her outside hiking, running, or skiing.

Susan Dodge has been a dedicated employee at Avalon Event Rentals, as the Financial Services Manager, for nearly 8 years. She also assists her partner with the operations of their own company, Goodman Medical Supplies. She has had the privilege in working in many different industries prior to these including oil & gas, hospitality, property management, and the airline industry. She prides herself in these experiences, the varying levels of knowledge she’s attained, and expansive networks that have come with it. If you’re searching for someone or something- she probably has a great recommendation of the right person she’d love to connect you with. Her choice to move to Kelowna and attend Okanagan College in order to secure her BBA in Management and Accounting was one she will never regret. The opportunity to be a part or organizing the 1st TEDx Kelowna Women’s event was definitely one that she could not turn down, and is looking forward to seeing it all come together!

“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it. The more things you do, the more you can do”. - Lucille Ball

Leah Garras is deeply rooted in the Okanagan wine region that she proudly calls home. Born in Prince George, she traveled and lived in many of the worlds wine regions until settling in her favorite wine region of all – the Okanagan Valley. She has spent her career working in the hospitality industry, managing the Cactus Club Café bar team, a wine and spirits sales representative for the past 6 years, and just last year she helped to open a specialty liquor store she both co-owns and manages – Turtle Bay Crossings (TBC) Liquor Merchants.

Leah is a wife and mother, currently enjoying a maternity leave with her second daughter. She loves the quality of life in the valley, from the hiking to farmers markets, and the community mentality that rocks this city! She enjoys collaborating with other local business in the Okanagan – currently Luxe Camp and Caldwell Heritage Farm and now volunteering her time with TEDx.

Dani received a Master of Business Administration in Operations Management from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2017. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Accounting, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2012. She works at Okanagan College as a Program Coordinator for the Okanagan School of Business, where she creates and revises program curriculum, manages special projects, and helps bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Dani’s professional background is supported by work amongst various industries, including accounting, marketing and branding, and program and project management. In addition, she enjoys volunteering with community groups such as Startup Week, Minor Girls Softball and, now, TEDxKelownaWomen. Dani is passionate about social responsibility, equality, and the environment. She enjoys Okanagan wines, farm-to-table dining, and building meaningful connections.