About the Speaker Series

Our Speaker Series is proudly presented by OC School of Business. Through this Series, we aim to build on our core mission as being a catalyst of innovation, ideas, and connections where we advocate, collaborate, and deliver programs that accelerate better business, success, and growth. 

We invite notable members of our communities from across the country and our own neighbourhoods to connect and speak on issues that matter, and influence our business success. These are people affecting change and having an impact on our business environments on a national, provincial, and regional scale.

We've heard from former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister Kevin Falcon; held forums for civic and provincial elections; had the privilege of hearing from local leaders, like Chief Robert Louie; and amplify voices for inclusive change, like Darrien McWatters.

Watch this space for more dates and speaker announcements as they become available, and please contact us with questions.

2024 Speaker Series

September 18 Shauna Harper with Sinéad Scanlon & Top 40 Panel 

BREAKING BARRIERS: the rise and impact of emerging leadership

Registration opens at 11:30am for this event, with lunch and keynote at 12:00noon.

Keynote: Shauna Harper, WeBC

Shauna Harper is an impact-driven leader, community champion, speaker, mentor, and connector in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She moved to Kelowna two years ago as Chief Executive Officer of WeBC, a federally funded not-for-profit organization that serves women entrepreneurs across BC. Shauna is a nationally-recognized advocate for women entrepreneurs, gender equity, and a champion for increased access to services, support, and funding. 

WeBC provides thousands of women entrepreneurs across BC with business loans, expertise, training, resources, and mentoring to help their businesses grow and thrive each year. Prior to joining WeBC, Shauna was an entrepreneur for 22 years. This lived experience as an entrepreneur helps Shauna understand the clients WeBC has the privilege of serving.

Top 40 Panel Discussion

This panel discussion of Top 40 cohort Honourees -- moderated by Sinéad Scanlon -- examines the changing attitudes towards women and underrepresented groups in leadership positions, and their increased influence in today’s culture, mainstream media, and boardrooms.

Explore how today's emerging leaders shape their leadership approach to align with these shifts, identify experienced disparities in networking, investment, and venture capital access, and hear how successful leaders have navigated these issues. This group will also explore top of mind business challenges currently being faced in the Kelowna market including digital transformation and globalization trends. Panelists will offer their perspectives, personal stories, and tips for those aiming to lead in today's world.

Sinéad Scanlon (moderator) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader, BDO

 Sinéad Scanlon is the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader for BDO Canada and an Audit Partner in BDO Kelowna’s office, with almost 20 years of professional experience providing audit and accounting services to the Indigenous, municipal, and not-for-profit sectors. She has been in public practice for more than 16 years, receiving her designation in Ireland and Canada in 2007 and 2010, respectively.

In 2024, Sinéad was appointed DEI Leader after serving on the Women’s Pillar of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for three years. In this role, Sinéad continues to advance the firm’s DEI strategy, creating a space in which people feel empowered to come to work as their authentic selves.   

As an honouree of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia’s (CPABC's) 2020 Member Recognition Program, Sinéad received the Early Achievement award for her outstanding accomplishments and the esteem she brings to the accounting profession, including her work as a member of the Investigation Committee for the CPABC. Sinéad has also received the 2020 Community Distinction Award from the United Way of Southern Interior of British Columbia to recognize her significant contribution to the organization through her work as Treasurer and Board Member. 

Danica Dutt President, Kelowna Women in Business

Danica Dutt is a dedicated mom, wife, and accomplished wealth advisor with Benewealth Strategies, proudly hailing from the beautiful Okanagan region. With her passion for community service, she currently serves as the President of Kelowna Women in Business for her third term. Over her terms as President, Danica has been passionate about leading through the organization's five values: community, collaboration, inclusivity, connection, and professionalism. She looks at leadership as an opportunity to pour into others, give a voice to those who have gone unheard, shine a light on those who have worked so hard to be seen, and provide connections and resources for people to develop into their full professional and individual potential.

Danica's commitment to excellence in her career has been recognized through prestigious accolades such as being named in BDO's Top 40 Under 40 by the Kelowna Chamber, as well as achieving BDO's Top 40 Over 40 distinction. Her and the Benewealth team’s passion and commitment to their clients  have led Benewealth Strategies to earn Silver in Best of Kelowna 2023 for Best Insurance Advisor in Kelowna. At Benewealth Strategies, Danica and the team are dedicated to simplifying their clients’ financial plans, growing and protecting their wealth, and providing the advice to secure success and create a legacy.

Avi Gill CEO, Farming Karma Fruit Company Ltd.

Avi is rooted in the farming community and works alongside his dad, Karma, to grow apples and cherries. As there was limited opportunity to market these fruits being sold as a commodity, Avi and his family innovated by creating a beverage as a value-add product and brand. They launched Farming Karma in 2018.

The concept of “Doing Good” or “Good Karma” inspired the unique healthy, delicious, Okanagan fruit beverage for all age groups. Their philosophy started with providing a healthy and delicious alternative to high sugar beverages, so people can feel good about what they’re putting in their body. They took that very same philosophy beyond the soda can and ventured into the community to recognize those who deserves to receive some good karma: their “Do Good” initiative celebrates and rewards people who go that extra mile. In addition, they donate the product and volunteer in the community.

Since apple revenue has plummeted to a point where farming is no longer solely sustainable as a business, the Ministry of Agriculture set out an initiative to help apple farmers and Avi was tasked to play a role on a Committee that looks at the issues in the farming industry and find solutions. Being a voice for the farming community is important to Avi, and he has been featured at the TED Conference in Vancouver in 2022 and 2023.

Grace Manders Director of Finance, MAKR Group

Grace Manders is the Director of Finance with MAKR Group. She holds a Chartered Professional Accountant designation with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria and had opportunity to broaden her perspectives through an international exchange program at Neoma School of Business in France. Grace is also involved in Junior Chamber International conferences, both regionally and nationally.

In her leadership, Grace describes her style as rooted in a commitment to support and empower those around her, fostering an environment where every individual's professional and personal growth is prioritized. By nurturing talent, fostering an inclusive environment, and leveraging diverse perspectives, she has a positive impact on her company and the community at large.

Grace began volunteering in high school and continues to volunteer. Grace joined JCI Kelowna to get involved in the local community and she has held different roles, first as secretary and working her way to Vice President Membership and now President. Whether leading an accounting team at work or supporting a dynamic group of young professionals at JCI Kelowna, her goal is to provide guidance and encouragement that enables others to thrive.

Speaker Series Archives

Like many organizations in the not-so-distant past, the Kelowna Chamber went virtual with events and programs. It started in the early days of the pandemic when we couldn't gather as a business community in our usual ways, and we learned a ton - including about ourselves, each other, and technology (Zoom fails highlight reels, anyone?).

As we look forward at what the future may hold for how we capture our information library, we're taking a look back at our virtual resources. You'll find a few of these gems highlighted here.

May 2020: A Conversation with Federal Minister Mona Fortier

Nov 2021: A Conversation with UBCO & Okanagan College 

About OC School of Business

The Okanagan School of Business provides a career-oriented and innovative approach to education so that learners of various ages, experience levels, and cultures succeed. Their unique business programs have a strong focus on integrating theory and subject-matter knowledge with practical applications through business competitions, community-based course projects and work experiences. OC School of Business Bachelor of Business Administration Degrees, Business Administration Diplomas, and Business Administration Certificates are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).