The Board of Directors

2009/10 Board of the Kelowna Ballet Society

Birgit Bennett
President

Birgit joined the Board at the 2008 AGM and has acted as Board President for the past year. She moved to Kelowna 20 years ago with her husband Brad who was born and raised here. With an International Business education, Birgit's main career was in marketing and public relations with the BC Ministry of Tourism. While raising her children Birgit was President of several PAC's in the school district and sat on the Fat Cat Children's Festival Committee. Since then she has Honorary Co-Chaired the RCA's Evergreen and the capital campaign for the new Hospice House, volunteered with the Central Okanagan Hospice Assn., and has been a Director with the Kelowna Art Gallery Board for 4 years. As a supporter with Brad of arts, health and education in the Okanagan, Birgit has also been a life-long dance fan.

Lisa Stewart
Vice-President

Lisa also joined the Board at the 2008 AGM and acts as Board Vice President. Lisa is a marketing specialist and has used her experience in award-winning branding for the BC Wine Institute to develop a branding program for Ballet Kelowna, streamlining its over-all look and communication to the public. Lisa publishes our newsletter as well as all the marketing support materials for Ballet Kelowna performances, its many events and most recently our new subscription brochure. She is partner to Tony Stewart, Proprietor of Quails' Gate Estate Winery -- a valued Ballet Kelowna sponsor.

Mike Gilmore
Treasurer

Mike has been on the Board since January 2008 and acts as our Treasurer. He is a partner with Grant Thornton and chairs our Finance Committee. A self-proclaimed 'jock', Mike has become a dance fan through appreciation of its athletic excellence. Mike has been vigilant with Ballet Kelowna's budget, has helped sort out the bookkeeping mélange that has developed over the years, and it is largely to his credit that we are in excellent financial shape today.

Glenna Turnbull
Secretary

Ballet Kelowna has been incredibly fortunate to have Glenna and her stunning photographic skills on the Board since 2005. As a freelance writer and photographer she has been published in Beautiful British Columbia, several inflight magazines and dance magazines across Canada. An avid supporter of the arts, Glenna is also on the Okanagan Arts Awards advisory committee as well as writing a weekly column in Event Magazine. Glenna serves as Ballet Kelowna's secretary, sits on the Rock the Corral committee, and heads the Merchandise Committee. She has been a zone leader with the Kidney Foundation for 19 years, is manager for her son's select soccer team, and attends UBCO part-time, hoping to complete her BA in 2011.   

Directors:

Linda Aldous

Linda joined the Board at the 2008 AGM, purely for the love of dance and culture for the City. Having resided in Kelowna for 20 years, Linda has been involved with fundraising for many activities and sports teams for children, a member of the Leadership Committee for fundraising for the Rotary Centre for the Arts, past Co-Honorary Chair with husband Pat for the RCA Evergreen Gala, a member of the event team for CNIB, and a 5-year Director with the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation Board. Linda has introduced a number of key people to Ballet Kelowna, including our new administrator as well as the dynamic golf tournament committee, and acts as Chair of the Fund Development Committee. She and Pat were Honorary Chairs for our 2009 Pirouette.

Dorothee Birker

Dorothee stepped up in response to the Board's identified need for a publicity specialist when Phred Martin had to resign last fall due to career demands.  Dorothee is the owner of Innovex Event & Project Management, currently working as the Arts Cultural Tourism Officer for the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission. She strongly believes in the necessity of arts and culture for the health of any community and that the arts are a vital economic driver, key to developing a diverse and creative economy. In her short time with the Board Dorothee has already proved herself indispensable with her publicity successes for Ballet Kelowna, developing touring strategies, the subscription series and brochure, and the Futures Committee.  

Aaron Dow

Aaron is a lawyer at the law firm Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP and is one of our newest recruits, having been appointed to the Board in August, 2009.  Although he has acted as one of Ballet Kelowna’s legal advisors for the past several years, it was only recently that Aaron was introduced to the world of ballet.  Now he rarely misses a performance!  Aaron’s legal skills have been an important asset to Ballet Kelowna as it navigates the diverse issues that confront a growing organization.

Anne Laurie

Anne joined the Board in 2008 as our Human Resources Chair. Anne is a manager in Human Resources with the Interior Health Authority and brings invaluable expertise to the table, particularly as Ballet Kelowna grows and becomes more complex. Anne has developed a Code of Conduct for Ballet Kelowna Board, Staff and Volunteers, developed the New Dancer Orientation Program, helped us identify the need for an administrator, and develops other HR programs as needs arise. 
 
Christine Wolter

Christine has been on the Board since October 2004. A local real estate professional, Christine brings sound business judgment to every discussion as well as an international perspective of arts and culture. Christine adds a touch of elegance to the many special events she organizes, but her real mark is made through the annual, very popular and lucrative 'Rock the Corral'  fundraiser.