Providing leadership, vision and direction

The KGH Foundation Board of Directors

A group of outstanding individuals and professionals committed to driving excellence in health care forward for patients and families in our region. Together, the KGH Foundation Board of Directors provide leadership, direction, and support to Foundation staff and drive strategic partnership to raise funds vital to the acute and long-term care needs unique to our region.

Headshot of Kyle Recsky

Kyle Recsky

Board Chair

Odlum Brown Limited
Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor

Kyle joined the KGH Foundation in 2018 and is the Chair of the Board, the CEO Performance Review and Compensation Committee, and the Executive Committee, in addition to being a member of the Strategic Development Committee.

Kyle graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honors) with a Major in Management Information Systems (MIS). While attending UBC, Kyle played four years of Varsity Volleyball for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Kyle spent nine years in Vancouver working in a range of roles with a start-up company serving vertical markets including jet scheduling, global fulfillment, knowledge management, web traffic optimization and bioinformatics. He then spent four years working in healthcare analytics.

He is now a Portfolio Manager with Odlum Brown Limited. Kyle believes in building solid, long-term relationships with his clients based on trust and open communication. Working with a wide variety of clients from individuals to business owners, from tradespeople to professionals, Kyle enjoys taking the time to get to know his clients.

Born in Calgary and raised in Kelowna, Kyle spent 18 years living in Vancouver and has now returned to the Okanagan with his wife to raise their two children. They spend the majority of their free time chasing their kids around hiking and biking trails, ski hills, hockey rinks and soccer pitches.

Headshot of Kyle Recsky

Kyle Recsky

Board Chair

Odlum Brown Limited
Portfolio Manager, Investment Advisor

Kyle joined the KGH Foundation in 2018 and is the Chair of the Board, the CEO Performance Review and Compensation Committee, and the Executive Committee, in addition to being a member of the Strategic Development Committee.

Kyle graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honors) with a Major in Management Information Systems (MIS). While attending UBC, Kyle played four years of Varsity Volleyball for the UBC Thunderbirds.

Kyle spent nine years in Vancouver working in a range of roles with a start-up company serving vertical markets including jet scheduling, global fulfillment, knowledge management, web traffic optimization and bioinformatics. He then spent four years working in healthcare analytics.

He is now a Portfolio Manager with Odlum Brown Limited. Kyle believes in building solid, long-term relationships with his clients based on trust and open communication. Working with a wide variety of clients from individuals to business owners, from tradespeople to professionals, Kyle enjoys taking the time to get to know his clients.

Born in Calgary and raised in Kelowna, Kyle spent 18 years living in Vancouver and has now returned to the Okanagan with his wife to raise their two children. They spend the majority of their free time chasing their kids around hiking and biking trails, ski hills, hockey rinks and soccer pitches.

Headshot of Janine Karlsen

Janine Karlsen

Vice-Board Chair

Owner/Managing Director
Home Instead Senior Care

Janine is a registered nurse, with a master’s degree in Applied Behavioural Sciences – specializing in Systems Counselling. Janine has always worked within the healthcare world. She worked at the bedside at Children’s Hospital, then took on the role of Clinical Director for a group of family physician offices.

She was also the Clinical Director for a private surgical centre. At the time when physician practices were beginning to migrate from paper to electronic medical records; Janine worked throughout BC as the Client Advocate and Implementation Manager for one of the early EMR companies. She has also been the clinical sales lead for both large hospital equipment and bio-medical device companies.

Janine is a Vice-Chair of the Board, and a valued member of both the Executive Committee and Strategic Development Committee.

Headshot of Janine Karlsen

Janine Karlsen

Vice-Board Chair

Owner/Managing Director
Home Instead Senior Care

Janine is a registered nurse, with a master’s degree in Applied Behavioural Sciences – specializing in Systems Counselling. Janine has always worked within the healthcare world. She worked at the bedside at Children’s Hospital, then took on the role of Clinical Director for a group of family physician offices.

She was also the Clinical Director for a private surgical centre. At the time when physician practices were beginning to migrate from paper to electronic medical records; Janine worked throughout BC as the Client Advocate and Implementation Manager for one of the early EMR companies. She has also been the clinical sales lead for both large hospital equipment and bio-medical device companies.

Janine is a Vice-Chair of the Board, and a valued member of both the Executive Committee and Strategic Development Committee.

Headshot of Roberta Fidalgo

Roberta Fidalgo

Vice-Board Chair

Founder
YET / HR Consulting and Coaching

Roberta Joined the Board in 2021. She currently sits on the CEO Performance and Compensation, Executive, and Governance Committees.

Roberta is the owner and principal HR Consultant at YET Human Resources. Prior to starting her own consulting firm, she was an integral part of senior leadership teams, as an executive and strategic HR business partner for over 20 years in various organizations.  She was instrumental in leading and supporting the people integration of two organizations on more than three occasions.

Roberta was awarded the Fellow CPHR in 2020.  This is a prestigious award that recognizes Chartered Professionals in Human Resources who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession.  Her contributions include 11 years on the Southern Interior Advisory Council (three as Chair) and representation on a number of important provincial and national committees.

Roberta is a Certified Coach and specializes in helping individuals (leaders and families)  impacted by ADHD.

She is a Registered Yoga Teacher and has been teaching with Okanagan College in the School of Business and Continuing Studies.

As a lifelong volunteer, she has dedicated over 30 years of service, including most recently; President, Board of Directors, Kelowna Women’s Shelter (2017-2020), HR Committee Chair (2016-2021), and Board Vice-Chair (2022-Present).

You may recognize her from performing or singing on stage over the past 20 years with various musical groups, Theatre Kelowna Society and Soundsations (a local band).   When she is not performing, you may run into Roberta on one of our many beautiful hiking trails in the Okanagan.

In 2020, Roberta received several awards including Greater Westside Board of Trade, Key Business Award;  Okanagan Business Excellence, Community Impact Award and The Greenery’s Best Flowering Planter.

Roberta lives by the motto – Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.

Headshot of Roberta Fidalgo

Roberta Fidalgo

Vice-Board Chair

Founder
YET / HR Consulting and Coaching

Roberta Joined the Board in 2021. She currently sits on the CEO Performance and Compensation, Executive, and Governance Committees.

Roberta is the owner and principal HR Consultant at YET Human Resources. Prior to starting her own consulting firm, she was an integral part of senior leadership teams, as an executive and strategic HR business partner for over 20 years in various organizations.  She was instrumental in leading and supporting the people integration of two organizations on more than three occasions.

Roberta was awarded the Fellow CPHR in 2020.  This is a prestigious award that recognizes Chartered Professionals in Human Resources who have made exemplary contributions to the HR profession.  Her contributions include 11 years on the Southern Interior Advisory Council (three as Chair) and representation on a number of important provincial and national committees.

Roberta is a Certified Coach and specializes in helping individuals (leaders and families)  impacted by ADHD.

She is a Registered Yoga Teacher and has been teaching with Okanagan College in the School of Business and Continuing Studies.

As a lifelong volunteer, she has dedicated over 30 years of service, including most recently; President, Board of Directors, Kelowna Women’s Shelter (2017-2020), HR Committee Chair (2016-2021), and Board Vice-Chair (2022-Present).

You may recognize her from performing or singing on stage over the past 20 years with various musical groups, Theatre Kelowna Society and Soundsations (a local band).   When she is not performing, you may run into Roberta on one of our many beautiful hiking trails in the Okanagan.

In 2020, Roberta received several awards including Greater Westside Board of Trade, Key Business Award;  Okanagan Business Excellence, Community Impact Award and The Greenery’s Best Flowering Planter.

Roberta lives by the motto – Aspire to Inspire before you Expire.

Headshot of Manik Dhir

Manik Dhir

Board Director

Epitome Holdings Inc.
Entrepreneur / Managing Director

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Patrick Ng

Board Director

RBC Wealth Management
RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
Investment Advisor

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Headshot of Dave Cronquist

Dave Cronquist

Board Director

Interior Savings
Retired – Sr. Vice President, Strategy & Organizational Efficiency

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Headshot of Trina Warren

Trina Warren

Board Director

MNP
Regional Managing Partner

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Headshot of Shauna George

Shauna George

Board Director

RBC Phillips Hager & North Investment Counsel
Investment Counsellor

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Headshot of Greg Pratch

Greg Pratch

Board Director

JV Driver Group
Lawyer

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Headshot of Allyssa Costerton-Grant

Allyssa Costerton-Grant

Board Director

UBC-Okanagan
Associate Director, Industry Parterships and Alumni Development

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Headshot of Wendy Creelman

Wendy Creelman

Board Director

Elections Canada
Returning Officer

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Headshot of Dr. Ryan Foster

Dr. Ryan Foster

Board Director

IH Medical Director, IH Critical Care Network Critical Care Medicine, KGH

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Headshot of Steven Tuck

Steven Tuck

Board Director

Forever Young Magazine
Retired Publisher/Owner

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Headshot of Christy Lovig

Christy Lovig

Board Director

Doak Shirreff LLP
Partner

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Headshot of Glen Jackson

Glen Jackson

Board Director

MNP
Senior Manager

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John Tavolieri

Board Director

,

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Ria Kitsch

Board Director

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Dr. Cara Wall

Board Appointee

Chief of Staff, KGH

Headshot of Jaymi Chernoff

Jaymi Chernoff

Board Appointee

Executive Director, Clinical Operations, KGH

“People always ask why, but maybe they should ask why not! You get to work with the nicest people, for the nicest people. It’s the best kind of job satisfaction you’ll ever find.”

“Linking the passion and desires of donors to the needs/opportunities of the health system and KGH is such a privilege. I am inspired most by the people; our team, donors, clinicians & caregivers, and administrators and ultimately, the transformative changes to our system of care that become possible when we work together. I am grateful to be able to feel such purpose in my work.”

Manik Dhir

  • Manik joined the board in 2020 and is currently serving as the Chair of the Strategic Development Committee. He is a resourceful entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in business development. Manik has created businesses in retail, hospitality and the technology sector, which have won platinum business awards. With the success of his business portfolio, he was recognized as a Top 40 under 40 award recipient by the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. His passion for continuous improvement made him pursue and complete his Masters degree in Management from UBC Okanagan.

    He is passionate about giving back to his community and as such is a strong advocate for philanthropy. His philanthropic efforts include being on the board of directors of The Kelowna General Hospital Foundation as well as Vice-Chair for the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna.

  • Patrick Ng

  • Patrick joined the KGH Foundation board in 2019 and is a member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Chair of the Planned Giving Committee.

    Patrick has been working within the financial services industry for 22 years. He gained much of his experience working directly with clients within the Canadian Banking, Insurance, and Wealth Management industries, while attaining his BA in International Relations from UBC Okanagan in 2000. During that time he also enjoyed working as a summer student working for an accounting firm in the lower mainland, providing support to their partners and clients.

    In 2005, Patrick decided to move back to Kelowna to pursue a career with RBC Dominion Securities as an Associate Advisor for two wealth management teams. Shortly thereafter, he was given an opportunity to become an Investment Advisor with the firm in 2010 and has continued to provide comprehensive Wealth Management solutions & support to his clients for the past 12 years.

    In his spare time, Patrick is committed to making his community a better place and volunteers his time whenever he can. In addition to his roles with the KGH Foundation, Patrick is the President of The Third Space Charity Society and has raised over $50,000 for the Kidney Foundation of BC & Yukon after receiving a kidney transplant in 2019. Patrick is also a proud corporate sponsor of the Okanagan College Men’s and Women’s basketball program since its inception, and enjoys spending time at the Kelowna Art Gallery, and continues to support emerging artists throughout the Central Okanagan.

  • Dave Cronquist

  • Dave joined the Board in 2018 and sits on the Governance Committee.

    Prior to his retirement, Dave was with Interior Savings Credit Union for 25 years in various capacities, and including Senior Vice President, Strategy and Organizational Efficiency. In this capacity, Dave was responsible for strategic planning activities, as well as centralization departments supporting branch activities. He also led the Lean continuous improvement initiative aimed at eliminating inefficiencies and improving productivity and customer satisfaction.

    Dave has a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Calgary and an MBA from Royal Roads University.

    Dave was heavily involved with YMCA of Okanagan on the Board of Directors from 2007-2017. He held the Board Chair position for two years, chaired the Governance Committee, sat on the CEO Compensation Performance Review and Compensation Committee, and participated in various contract negotiation task forces. Dave continues to sit on the Finance Committee as a non-Director, as well as coaching with the YMCA Junior Triathlon Kids program.

    Previous community board work has been with the Downtown Kelowna Association and the Fat Cat Children’s Festival. Dave is also part of the Kelowna Jaycees (Junior Chamber) serving as president in 2002 and being honoured with JCI Canada Fellowship award.

    Dave loves the Okanagan, spending as much time as possible outside biking, golfing, hiking and lounging on the beach.

  • Trina Warren

  • Trina joined the Board in 2018, is the Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee and sits on the Executive Committee.

    Trina Warren, CPA, CA, is MNP’s Regional Managing Partner for the Thompson-Okanagan region and a member of the firm’s Assurance Services group. Trina leads the offices in Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops and delivers comprehensive assurance and taxation solutions to owner-managed companies, including those in the construction sector.

    With more than two decades of experience in public practice, Trina advises on a range of issues, helping clients identify objectives and opportunities, as well as challenges and providing tailored strategies that lead to continued success.

    Trina is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2001. Committed to giving back to her community, she has volunteered for various organizations, including Hospitals of Regina Foundation, Wascana Golf and Country Club, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Regina.

  • Shauna George

  • Shauna joined the Board in 2020 and is a vital member of both the Finance Committee and Planned Giving Committee.

    Shauna’s career has been dedicated to working in the investment management industry, first as a buy-side equity analyst in Toronto working with institutional clients such as pension plans, endowments and foundations and since 2011, exclusively as a discretionary portfolio manager working with high net worth individuals and families in British Columbia. Throughout her career, she has been fortunate enough to have also gained experience pertaining to many other areas of the investment management such as: designing portfolio management and securities trading strategies; working with consultants to complete and submit RFPs; investment performance and attribution analysis; creation and delivery of Investment Policy Statements; and business development/marketing.

    Outside of the office, Shauna is active in the Kelowna community as a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club, involvement with the Kelowna Estate Planning Society, and in her current capacity as President of the CFA Society Okanagan, a member society of the leading global association for professionals in the investment industry.

  • Greg Pratch

  • Greg joined the Board in 2019. He currently sits on the Finance and Administration Committee.

    Greg is on the legal team for the JV Driver Group. Before joining the JV Driver team, Greg was a lawyer and partner with Pushor Mitchell LLP for 10 years. Prior to moving to Kelowna, he practiced at a large Alberta firm in Edmonton. Greg’s practice is focused on litigation with a particular emphasis on construction and commercial disputes as well as employment law.

    On a more personal note, Greg has witnessed first-hand the importance of health care services and how vital it is to have quality programs, services and equipment available for patients and their families when they are faced with illness and injury.

    When not busy with work or with his volunteer commitment to the Board, Greg spends time with his baby daughter and wife –both travelling and enjoying all that the Okanagan has to offer.

  • Allyssa Costerton-Grant

  • Allyssa joined the Board in 2019. She currently sits on the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee.

    Allyssa is the Associate Director, Industry Partnerships and Alumni Development with The University of British Columbia Okanagan campus’s Faculty of Management. Allyssa is driven by a passion for contributing to the community of Kelowna. Allyssa’s diverse background enables her to provide valuable insight and guidance in a variety of strategy, communications, community engagement and operational matters.

    Building relationships in the community is an important part of Allyssa’s personal and professional background. She is currently a longstanding volunteer and organizing member of several community organizations.

    Allyssa’s professional experiences are complemented by her various personal pursuits. Whether she is the runner or the run organizer, Allyssa believes in supporting events that bring people together to build relationships and community.

  • Wendy Creelman

  • Wendy joined the Board in 2019 and is the Chair of the Governance Committee, in addition to being a valued member of the Executive Committee.

    She is an organizational leadership professional with expertise in promoting active lifestyles and social well-being. Wendy has a specific focus on creating environments that foster employee engagement, resilience, and health while maximizing business objectives.

    Wendy also works as a Returning Officer for Elections Canada.

    Wendy believes in giving back to her community and has volunteered for many local, provincial and national organizations including the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Senior Games, Kelowna Arts Foundation and many others.

  • Dr. Ryan Foster

  • Dr. Ryan Foster joined the Board in 2020 and is a member of the Strategic Development Committee.

    Ryan and his family moved to Kelowna to pursue a career in critical care medicine and to enjoy all that the Okanagan has to offer in 2009. Since that time, he has worked largely within critical care at KGH but also has done general medicine and critical care locums throughout Interior Health including Cranbrook, Trail, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops. More recently, Ryan joined the newly launched KGH Trauma Service. Ryan was the medical director of critical care at KGH for many years now and continues to be the medical director of the Interior Health Critical Care Network.

    When not involved in the clinical or leadership activities described above, Ryan finds time to both mountain and road bike (above average), downhill and cross country ski/ski tour (mostly average), and golf (very much below average, bordering on poorly); but his family is always his top priority.

    Through his work with the Foundation, Dr. Foster hopes to continue the storied tradition and the hard work of important, relevant, patient-focused fund-raising projects and campaigns here at KGH. He will provide a unique and helpful clinical lens to some of the discussions and philanthropic project development in order to help move KGH further along its growth as a truly tertiary, academic, patient-focused health care center of excellence within Interior health.

  • Steven Tuck

  • Steven joined the Board in 2018 and sits on the Planned Giving Committee.

    Steven Tuck holds degrees from McMaster University B.A. (Hons.), York University B.B.A. (Hons), Okanagan University College (D. Litt.) and did graduate studies at the University of New Brunswick and INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.

    He is President Emeritus of the Okanagan College Foundation, previously President of Sunshine Dreams for Kids (B.C. Interior Chapter); Wendy’s Dreamlift Days; Director, Cops for Kids; Director, Kelowna Rotary Club Foundation; Advisory Board, Seton House of Prayer; and many other community organisations in the Okanagan.

    Steven has received recognition for community service in many forms: Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal,Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, Kelowna Man of the Year, B.C. Community Achievement Award, Doctor of Letters (OUC) and the newest National Honour, The Sovereign’s Medal, which was recently instituted by Governor-General David Johnson.

    He enjoys travel writing and has been included in press tours to Mexico numerous times and was one of 7 writers invited from North America to tour Moscow and Russia in 2003.

  • Christy Lovig – MBA, Lawyer

  • Christy is a valued member of the Planned Giving Committee.

    Christy is a lawyer and Partner with Doak Shirreff Lawyers LLP. She brings a wide range of experience to her solicitor practice. With an MBA in marketing and years of entrepreneurial adventures behind her, her practice is driven by a passion for marketing communications, real estate development, and creating and developing new businesses. This background enables her to provide her clients with valuable insight and guidance in a variety of real estate and business matters.

    Christy’s legal practice is complemented by the many miles she spends on the road, whether she is running, cycling, hiking, chasing after her wolf hybrids with her firefighter husband, or acting as Coach Christy at the helm of various running clinics. As a competitive runner of over 35 years, she has completed 27 marathons, over 60 half marathons, and countless other road races, triathlons, and cycling events all over the world.

    As an advocate for mental wellness, Christy hosts an annual fundraiser for Foundry Kelowna. She is enthusiastically committed to supporting access to judgment-free and youth-friendly mental health services in our community. In her role as a running coach, Christy delights in empowering all levels of runners, in the hopes that her athletes will discover the power of movement, and the transformational nature of endorphins.

    Christy is grateful for the opportunity to work with the KGH Foundation to give back to the community she has called home since 1989.

  • Glen Jackson, CPA, CGA, CFF

  • Glen has worked in numerous accounting and financial dedicated fields. He is an active member of the larger Kelowna community through the local Chamber of Commerce and many other charitable and social causes. As a third-generation accountant, Glen would appear to be living proof that when it comes to debits and credits, it’s coded deep in his family’s DNA.

    Glen knows tax planning is an important part of any financial plan. Reducing tax liability is a necessary and critical component of maximizing investment income. Glen’s expertise does not end with tax planning. Glen is also a valuable resource for a wide range of consulting services, designed exclusively to boost a business’s efficiency, planning and operations – all while strengthening your bottom line. Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) by the American Institute of CPA (AICPA), Glen possesses a specialized credential dedicated to the research, investigation and ultimate detection of complex financial fraud or theft.

    He is an important member of the Finance and Administration Committee.

  • John joined the board in 2022 and sits on the Strategic Development Committee.

    John is a c-suite executive with a successful track record of leading large-scale transformations and advancing organizational effectiveness that delivers increased enterprise value through improved operating performance, increased value to customers and creating a great place to work and grow for all associates.  John is an executive partner, experienced in fostering enterprise-wide connections with all stakeholders to align strategy with operational execution and drive positive outcomes.

    John’s background in data analytics and leading large global teams in areas such as client service, data science, technology, engineering and operations.  He had the privilege of being the Global Chief Technology & Operations Officer for the Nielsen company, leading a team of nearly 35,000 associates across 100 counties, working together with clients such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Loblaws, Tesco, Walmart and many others, helping them leverage data as an enterprise asset so that they could better understand customer needs, industry trends and activate opportunities from that knowledge. In his last year with the company, John also led the Covid-19 Preparedness & Response for the organization. John and Nicolina have repatriated to Canada after having lived abroad in Belgium and the United States and are excited to now call Kelowna home and look forward to giving back to the community and experiencing all that the Okanagan has to offer.

  • Ria joined the board in 2022 and sits on the Finance and Administration Committee.

    Ria is a true Kelowna success story. Along with husband and business partner Trent, Ria is the founder and owner of not one but three incredibly successful businesses: Saxx Underwear, Doja Cannabis/Hiku Brands and Kitsch Wines.  Ria has a strong background in community building, marketing, sales strategy, people (HR), business management, growth strategy and public markets. And she is home-grown. Ria’s roots are deeply embedded in Kelowna and the Okanagan. She is a UBC-O Alumni having graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006.

    Along with her impressive business acumen, Ria has a strong sense of community and believes in giving back.  She is involved with a number of local charities and fundraising initiatives including the Women’s Equity Lab (Okanagan Chapter), Mamas for Mamas, the Women’s Shelter, Tentree, Oxfam and she even volunteered in the Amazon for a month at the Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve in Ecuador.

    When she is not wearing her entrepreneurial or volunteer hats, Ria and Trent love to hang out with their two kids, spend time at Big White, play at the lake, head out for a hike, or enjoy the incredible food and wines of the Okanagan.