2011-2012 Board of Directors
The Rotary Centre for the Arts is the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance and dedication of countless volunteers and supporters.
It exists thanks to those who served on committees and boards and supported feasibility studies and fundraisers.
Back Row (L-R) Ron Rubadeau, Peter MacPherson, Brent Couves &
Ross Dumontet;
Front Row (L-R) Jill White, Sandy Dawson, Steven Faigan, Sonia Di Renzo & Colette Kuemper
PRESIDENT, Dr. Steven Faigan is a Periodontist with a private practice in Kelowna. He is originally from Montreal and relocated to Kelowna in 1994 after studying at both McGill and Boston University. He has been involved with the BC Cancer Agency as a dental consultant. He has also been a board member of the Okanagan Jewish Community Association.
VICE-PRESIDENT, Ron Rubadeau recently retired as Superintendent School District 23. Ron remains active in musical theatre, sailing and many other community organizations. Ron has served as president or a member of at least 2 dozen boards in our community. He and wife Donna have been a resident of Kelowna for 35 years, where they raised two kids and enjoy spending time with their grandkids. At some time, Ron found time to obtain a Dr. in Education.
TREASURER, Sonia DiRenzo is a chartered accountant currently working in public practice at Grant Thornton LLP. She began her career in accounting after graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2006. Her industry sector experience primarily consists of financial institutions, private owner managed companies, public sector entities and not-for-profit organizations.
SECRETARY, Peter MacPherson is a lawyer practicing with Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP in Kelowna. He practices exclusively as a solicitor, assisting clients in the areas of corporate and commercial law, real estate development, secured lending, intellectual property, and estate planning. Peter is an active member of the Kelowna community, having served on the board of directors of several community-betterment organizations, including terms as chair of the board of directors of the United Way of the Central & South Okanagan/Similkameen, and president of the Kelowna Estate Planning Society.
DIRECTOR, Brent Couves - Sales and Marketing manager for "Wilden". Brent has been involved with marketing master planned communities in Kelowna for the past twenty plus years. When away from "Wilden" Brent and his wife Michele are active in various volunteer groups.
DIRECTOR, Sandy Dawson is a television broadcaster. Her professional career has spanned over 25 years in the television industry, most recently as the host/producer of a weekly half hour 'lifestyle' television show. She now plans and produces events such as the TOMMIE Awards for the Canadian Homebuilders Association and The Nutcracker for Ballet Kelowna. Sandy is in her second term on KVPACS board and also serves on the Board of Directors for Ballet Kelowna.
DIRECTOR, Ross Dumontet is an educator currently working in Human Resources in the Public Education Sector. Having worked in education for the past 20 years as a teacher, in school level administration and the past 6 years in Human Resources. The arts are an integral part of family life with a daughter completing her degree in Fine Arts, each of his 4 children playing at least one instrument and his wife Veronica having a major in music along with his involvement in theatre and music. Ross currently sits on the Grant Application process for the Central Okanagan Foundation.
DIRECTOR, Phil Johnson - For the last 16 years, Kelowna has been home for Phil Johnson. For him, life in Kelowna, is the best life yet, as for the last 7 years he has been "waking up the city…" as the morning voice of AM1150, Kelowna's News / Talk radio station. In addition to the RCA, his community give-back includes time on the board of Crossroads, Raise a Reader and the Across the Lake Swim.
DIRECTOR, Colette Kuemper is an Investment Advisor with Odlum Brown Ltd. Colette has been an investment Advisor for more than 15 years. A graduate of The University of Victoria, Colette has been a resident of Kelowna for more than 25 years.
DIRECTOR, Tim Spiegel - Director of Spiegel Skillen + Associates Ltd.
DIRECTOR, Jill White is President of Waterplay Solutions Corp. and WMI Manufacturing Corp. The Waterplay Group employs 40 people and designs, manufactures and markets equipment for waterparks around the world. Prior to her involvement with Waterplay in 2004, Jill's career touched on accounting, marketing and PR in public practice, advertising and forestry. When not involved in overseeing Waterplay or other Board and Committee work, Jill is an active parent to her 8 year old daughter.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, Tracie Ward has been at the Rotary Centre for the Arts since June 2005. Prior to taking on this role she was the Manager of Cultural and Historical Services for the Town of Okotoks, Alberta where she developed artistic and educational programming, provided organizational oversight, developed and led comprehensive fundraising programs and developed cultural facilities including a performing arts centre, museum and archives. With more than 25 years of arts management experience, Tracie Ward brings experience in programming, management, fundraising and development expertise for non-profit organizations. Ward holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Arts Education degree from the University of Regina.
