New Chair, board members named to KGH Foundation

The Kelowna General Hospital Foundation has a new leader at the helm.

The KGH Foundation announced that Janine Karlsen is the new Board Chair.

Kalsen has serves as a director on the Board since 2021.

“I am honored to be taking over as Board Chair, and look forward to expanding upon the critical work the Foundation is doing,” Karlsen said.

“After three years serving on the Board of Directors it’s truly inspiring to see the impact KGH Foundation donors have, not just at Kelowna General Hospital, but also in our community.”

The KGH Foundation said Karlsen brings knowledge and experience into the role having previously worked in the health care industry as a registered nurse in physician offices, a private surgical centre, and hospitals across B.C. including the B.C. Children’s Hospital. She is also the current owner and managing director at Home Instead Senior Care.

“Janine is a compassionate business leader who brings so much knowledge and experience in the health care field,” KGH Foundation CEO, Allison Young, stated.

“We are so grateful to Janine, and to all our Board members, past and present, for giving their time to help with our strategic direction.

“Our Board plays a vital role in leading our Foundation, and making sure we operate with utmost excellence. We are truly fortunate to work with these remarkable individuals, and to lean on their wisdom and expertise.”

Additionally, four new members were added to the KGH Foundation Board.

Kathy Conway, the retired President and CEO at Interior Savings Credit Union; Jay Goodis, CEO at Tax Templates Inc.; Kim Inglis, Founder and Senior Portfolio Manager at Inglis Private Investment Counsel; and Bruce Sprague, West Canada Managing Partner at BDO LLP, were named to the Board of Directors.

The new members repace Kyle Recsky, the outgoing Board Chair, as well as Dave Cronquist, Trina Warrent, Ria Kitsch, and John Tavolieri.

Steven Tuck will also be stepping down from the Board, though he will be staying on the Foundation’s Planned Giving Committee and has been named an Honourary Lifetime Director.

The announcement in th change of leadership comes in the midst of the KGH Foundations’ Closer to Home than You Think fundraising campaign.

This initiative has a goal of raising $40-million to advance health care across a range of services such as cancer care, clinical and surgical excellence, cancer care, brain health, mental health care, women’s health, and bone and joint care.