Three area residents join College’s Board of Governors

Okanagan College Media Release

Three new members of Okanagan College’s Board of Governors will be bringing business and community perspectives to the table as they begin their yearlong appointments.

Christopher Derickson, Susan Johal and Joe Maciel will serve on the Board of Governors for a one-year term ending July 31, 2015. They were appointed by the Provincial Government through Order-in-Council this summer.

Derickson serves on the Westbank First Nation Council and works as a consultant focused on strategic and community planning for First Nation governments and organizations.

Johal is the Office Manager for Kimmitt Wrzesniewski, a Kelowna law firm. She is an active community volunteer and has previously worked with the Okanagan Sikh Temple, the Ovarian Cancer Walk and Rutland Citizens Patrol. She’s also a member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and a past director of the Boys and Girls Club. Johal is also an Okanagan College alumna, with an Accounting diploma and certification from a legal secretary program from Okanagan College.

Maciel is a Chartered Accountant and Financial Planner with a public practice that focuses on corporate year-end services to privately held corporations and tax services to businesses and individuals. His experience includes work with the Canada Revenue Agency’s audit division, Bombardier Capital’s Wholesale Finance division, as well as teaching at Okanagan University College in the areas of tax, Canadian business, management and financial accounting.

“We’re looking forward to Christopher, Susan and Joe joining us this fall,” says Board of Governors Chair Tom Styffe. “I am confident they will bring perspectives and experience that will benefit our deliberations.”

“I taught for three years at OUC in the early ‘90s,” says Maciel. “I’ve watched the business program and the institution evolve over the years. I’m excited to be part of the governance of an organization that has such a rich history in the region and I look forward to participating in decisions that will shape its course for the coming years.”

“As an alumna and someone who has lived my whole life here, I’ve relished watching Okanagan College change and develop,” says Johal. “I think there are great things ahead for the College and am happy to be a part of it.”

“There are many opportunities for partnerships right now, between schools and other organizations,” notes Derickson, who is following his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (2012, UBCO) with a Master’s of Business Administration at SFU. “This is a very exciting time to be involved in the governance of Okanagan College.” 

Three other College Board members have had their appointments extended: Charity Gerbrandt, Douglas Manning and Robert McGowan will serve additional two-year terms until July 2016.