AVÌìÌÃ

AVÌìÌà Foundation

A donor and student attending an award reception.

Inspired giving

Together, we are transforming lives and communities

Thrive Here: Building Recreation and Wellness

Many people are surprised to learn that AVÌìÌÃ’s Kelowna campus does not have a gymnaisum. There is no place for intramurals, pick-up games or tournaments, and no home side venue for the OC Coyotes’ 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.

Give to support the Thrive Here campaign and help build the first gym at OC's Kelowna campus.

You can help students and our community thrive.

Impact students, your way

There are many ways you can contribute to transforming lives and communities, from monthly giving to leaving a gift in your will.

Giving that lasts generations

Your impact

Get involved

Rob Lindstrand with TD Commercial Banking tours the new Health Sciences Centre with AVÌìÌà 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

OC Foundation Events

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Foundation information

Supporting the transformative power of education

We inspire giving to transform lives and communities.  

We engage community to invest in AVÌìÌÃ’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 AVÌìÌÃ’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

AVÌìÌà Foundation Board of Directors

 

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

Gratitude Report 2022-2023

Click on the image below to view this year's Gratitude Report, which celebrates generosity, community and student success:

 

Audited financial statements for AVÌìÌà Foundation are available here. 

Employee giving

When you, as an AVÌìÌà 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
OC Foundation - Helen Jackman

Helen joined AVÌìÌà as Director Advancement and Executive Director of the AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌÃ, Helen was Executive Director UWSIBC, Executive Director AVÌìÌà 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

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

Sasha Carter joined the AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌÃ, 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 OC Centre for Learning Stairway

Pam Prentice joined the AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà 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

Campaign Communications and Marketing Specialist
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6409
OC Foundation - 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 AVÌìÌÃ, 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 - AVÌìÌà 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

Executive Assistant/Board Secretary
Office: Multi-Purpose Building 103C
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4774
OC Foundation - Dawn Douglas

An OUC alumna and 25+ year employee of AVÌìÌÃ, Dawn is the Executive Assistant to the Director of Advancement as well as Board Secretary for the AVÌìÌà Foundation. She administers the day-to-day operations of the department, manages the Director's schedule, and coordinates AVÌìÌà Foundation Board meetings and activities.

Dawn oversees the Annual Charity Golf Tournament in Kelowna, the 50/50 Staff Lottery program and other events through the year.

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

Samantha Blandon

Development Officer, Annual Giving
Office: E Building 107B
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4836
OC Foundation - Samantha Blandon

Samantha serves as the Campaign Coordinator for the Advancement department and AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà and her peers with a Service Excellence Award for consistently going beyond her regular duties and responsibilities to meet the needs of AVÌìÌàand 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 AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà Foundation team and help more students fulfill their potential as they pursue their academic and career goals. 

Jacob Cinkant

Division 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 AVÌìÌà 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 AVÌìÌà 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 OC can have in peoples’ lives.
 

Help transform lives and communities