Heska appointed Director of Human Resources at Okanagan College

Okanagan College Media Release

Okanagan College will welcome a new Director of Human Resources next month. Linda Heska, a post-secondary administrator with nearly 30 years of management and consulting experience in the public sector, will step into the role on Sept. 18.

Heska brings considerable expertise in the areas of workplace conflict resolution, collective agreement administration, collective bargaining, performance management, recruitment, onboarding and orientation. She honed this expertise while serving in a number of Human Resources leadership roles with Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) over the past 27 years, most recently as Director, Employee Relations – a role she occupied for almost 10 years.

She holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Management Certificate, major in Human Resources, from BCIT. Heska has also published a book on organizational practices that contribute to employee engagement. 

“I’m looking forward to working with the Human Resources team to help create and enhance engagement across all our employee groups and every corner of the College community,” says Heska, who hails from Port Moody originally and recently moved to the Okanagan from the Lower Mainland.

“I believe in supporting individuals to be the very best they can be, and that their successes drive organizational success. I’m excited to get to play a role in empowering people to success in their careers at the College.”

“We’re so pleased to have Linda’s depth of knowledge and experience in human resources in the B.C. post-secondary sector without making an understatement,” says Roy Daykin, Vice President Employee and Corporate Services at Okanagan College. “On top of that, she brings a track record of inspiring enthusiasm and motivating those around her that I expect will make her a welcome addition to Okanagan College in short order."

Heska is well versed in the challenge of helping employees thrive and feel engaged across multiple campuses and regions. In her time at KPU, she helped guide policies and practices that affected instructional and support staff at the institution’s four locations in Metro Vancouver. She has also provided coaching services to individuals in the areas of career and transition, performance, leadership and legacy.

“I’m passionate about understanding the bigger picture, but I also pride myself in having the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to situations and needs at the individual level,” explains Heska.