Community Voices
Devin Rubadeau
President 2026 BC Summer Games
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing Laura Thurnheer for more than a decade—as a faculty leader and through countless community initiatives. I have always admired Laura as a thoughtful business leader who genuinely believes in building stronger communities, a commitment reflected in her extensive service on community boards. Kelowna would be fortunate to have her experience, leadership, and community-minded approach on City Council.”
Steve Thomson
“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Laura for many years. She brings tremendous experience and background in business, governance, not for profit and civic contribution and I am pleased to support her for election to City of Kelowna Council. I am very confident she would serve our community with the same commitment and passion she has demonstrated in all of her contributions. I believe she would be an excellent Councillor.”
Kara James, CPA
“I’ve known Laura for nearly 30 years and have had the opportunity to know and work with her in many different capacities. She is a thoughtful, measured leader who listens carefully, brings strong judgment and integrity to her decisions, and is someone whose advice I have sought and valued throughout my professional and community work. I believe Laura would be an outstanding City Councillor.”
Rose Sexsmith
Founder 100 Woman Who Care Kelowna
“I believe Laura Thurnheer is committed to doing the best job possible to make our City the best it can be. Laura loves our community & will work for our best interests.”
Dr. Kyleen Myrah
Professor
Hall School of Business & Entrepreneurship
Okanagan College
“I have had the privilege of knowing Laura Thurnheer for many years — as a faculty colleague at Okanagan College, through Junior Chamber International, and across countless hours of board and facilitation work in the nonprofit sector. In every one of those settings, Laura brought the same things: tireless effort, sharp critical thinking, and the kind of sound judgment that makes her the person the rest of us turn to when a decision really matters. She understands business, education, and the nonprofit world from the inside, and as a local entrepreneur and lifelong Kelowna resident who raised her family here, she knows this community deeply. She is a strong advocate and a natural collaborator who makes everyone around the table better. Kelowna would be exceptionally well served by her on city council.”
Michael J Ballingall
Senior Vice-President, Big White Ski Resort
“I'd like to take this opportunity to personally endorse Laura Thurnheer for city council. I
have known Laura in a professional capacity for over 20 years during her tenure at
Okanagan College. Just imagine taking a team of high school graduates and shaping
them into award winning professionals year after year. Leadership, cooperation and a
friendly demeanor is a key to anyone representing me in city council. The smile tells the
story. She loves Kelowna, and everything it stands for. I am confident that as our
representative on city council you not only have a voice you also have someone that
listens and acts. This is why I will be voting for Laura Thurnheer.”
Pamela Pearson
Past President - Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
“Laura Thurnheer is one of the women in our community whose leadership has made it easier for others to step forward. As a former President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Laura helped pave a path that I’m grateful to now walk, and I’m proud to share that legacy with her as part of the past presidents’ club. While I didn’t specifically work alongside Laura at Okanagan College, I’ve seen the impact she has had through the many people she taught, mentored and helped prepare for leadership in our community. Her commitment to giving back through volunteer boards and organizations, both locally and provincially, speaks to the kind of person she is. Laura genuinely cares about Kelowna and wants to make a difference. I believe that kind of experience, heart and commitment matters, and I’m proud to support her.”
Ellen Boelcke, M.Ed.
Nonprofit Leadership Consultant
Former Executive Director - KCR
“I have had the privilege of knowing Laura for more than 20 years—as a colleague, a
mentor, and a friend. It is truly an honour to support her as she runs for Kelowna City
Council. Laura is hardworking, thoughtful, direct, and honest, with a genuine passion for
making our community a better place. I have always admired her integrity, dedication,
and willingness to listen, speak up, and get things done. I am confident that Laura will
bring strong leadership, sound judgment, and a principled voice to Council. Kelowna
would be fortunate to have her serving our community. Without question, Laura has
my vote, and I am proud to support her.”
Stacey Fenwick, MBA
Business Professor & Community Board Director
“Laura is one of those people who genuinely cares about her community and is willing
to roll up her sleeves to make it better. I have seen firsthand her ability to listen,
collaborate, and provide thoughtful, practical leadership. Kelowna needs experienced
leaders who understand both business and community. Laura is exactly that kind of
leader—and exactly the kind of voice we need on City Council.”
Blair Baldwin
“Laura demonstrates high competencies in managing complex decisions both in the private and public sectors. She has a reputation of getting results while always respecting her colleagues."
Laura Hetherington, CPA, CGA
Professor, Hall School of Business & Entrepreneurship Okanagan College
"Laura leads with honesty and integrity. Her decision-making is consistently ethical and trustworthy. Her support for Kelowna and everyone who calls it home has never faltered. This is exactly the kind of leadership Kelowna Council needs."
Tracey Cochrane
Account Manager, Evolution AV
“I believe Laura Thurnheer would be an excellent addition to Kelowna City Council. She is honest, highly intelligent, and hardworking. I am confident she would always put the
best interests of the people of Kelowna first. I strongly recommend Laura as a candidate who will provide thoughtful, dedicated leadership for our community.”
Dr. Michael Conlin
Professor, Hall School of Business & Entrepreneurship
Okanagan College
“I have worked with Laura Thurnheer for 20 years and have developed a deep respectfor her leadership and the collegial way she works with others. She brings a reasonable,thoughtful approach to difficult discussions, respecting different perspectives whilehelping people find common ground. What I particularly value in Laura is her ability tocombine clear leadership with a willingness to listen. In my experience, she approaches disagreements constructively and treats people with respect. These qualities matter ona city council, where working through competing priorities requires sound judgementand an ability to work productively with others. But more than anything else, I believeLaura would bring a thoughtful vision to the management and growth of Kelowna,balancing the opportunities that growth creates with the need to protect the qualities thatmake Kelowna such a good place to live. I have confidence in her ability to connectlong-term goals with practical decisions and to work with others in shaping the city’sfuture. I am pleased to support her candidacy.”
Raghwa Gopal
Chair, Board of Directors
Jim Pattison Centre for Health Innovation
“I have known Laura Thurnheer for many years and have had the opportunity to serve alongside her on community boards and committees. Laura brings commitment, sound judgment and a strong sense of community to everything she does, and she has consistently given generously of her time and talents to Kelowna. She is thoughtful, hardworking and someone who follows through and gets things done. I am very pleased to support Laura for Kelowna City Council and believe she would be an excellent Councillor.”
Maryse Harvey
Past President, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce
“Laura Thurnheer is renowned for her integrity, rigour, and willingness to speak truth to power. Her experience as President of the Kelowna Chamber, member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime, and through the many positions she has held serving our community makes her exceptionally well suited to face the difficult decisions required of a City Councillor. She will take the time to listen to fellow citizens, do the hard work, and stand up for what’s best for our city.”
Norm Letnick
“With so many people running for Kelowna city council it's important for us to select those with the greatest qualifications for the job. I invite you to review Laura's qualifications and I’m sure you will agree she has what it takes to serve us well on council.”
Roberta Sawatzky MA, GPHR
“It is my pleasure to provide this testimonial for my friend and colleague, Laura Thurnheer, as she runs for City Council. I have known Laura for many years—as a learner, colleague, faculty member, leader, and friend—and I have always admired the integrity, care, and conviction she brings to everything she does. I have seen her demonstrate unwavering ethical practice through challenging situations that tested both her tenacity and her deep commitment to the people she served and led. Laura is someone who makes time to sit, listen, and offer thoughtful guidance when it is needed. Whatever she sets her mind to, she pours her whole self into it, and she does so with warmth, purpose, and genuine care for her community.”
Robert Fine, R.C.I.C.
Owner, Robert Fine Immigration Services
“I have known Laura for over 25 years through her work efforts with the Chamber of Commerce and the Okanagan College School of Business and many community-based initiatives. The one consistent quality is Laura’s commitment to bettering the place she lives and putting in the work required. That is why I am supporting her for Kelowna City Council.”
Charlotte Kushner
Okanagan College Vice-President, Students (retired)
“As a senior manager, I have worked with Laura on various projects and committees often as co-chairs for ongoing projects. I have seen firsthand the hard work and commitment that Laura puts into every role and responsibility that she takes on. Her background in education in both teaching and management, her knowledge and experience in business, and her dedication to many community service projects and groups provides her with the knowledge and skills needed to be a very effective and successful City Councillor.“
Fei Liu
Kelowna Resident
“Laura brings an impressive combination of business experience, strategic thinking, and genuine commitment to our community. She listens, connects people, and understands how to turn ideas into meaningful action. I’m confident she would bring thoughtful, practical, and collaborative leadership to Kelowna City Council.”
Tamara Pals, CFP
Certified Financial Planner at Clear Worth Financial Group
"I have tremendous respect for Laura as a businesswoman and strong female voice in our community. She is someone I trust and look to as a leader within our local network of professionals. I have always admired her commitment to leadership, collaboration, and making a positive difference in the community around her."
John Perrott
Executive Director, Economic Developers Association of Canada
“As Kelowna has grown into a major municipality—managing a billion-dollar annual budget, over 1,000 employees, and hundreds of billions in public assets—the stakes for choosing our City Council members have never been higher. We need proven leaders like Laura Thurnheer at the table. Laura brings a unique balance of sharp business acumen, dedicated community service, and a deep love for Kelowna. She views taxpayers as true shareholders, bringing the focus and accountability needed to protect our shared investments, safeguard our community, and ensure our best interests always come first."
Danica Dutt
Associate Wealth Advisor, Benewealth
Chair, Dress For Success
"I was introduced to Laura Thurnheer four years ago while serving as President of KWIB, when we partnered with Okanagan College and Kyleen Myrah's social entrepreneurship class, and I've since worked alongside her on the civic awards nomination committee, watched her serve for over 18 years on the KCR board and champion local charities like Dress for Success. What I appreciate most is her governance expertise and her ability to shape a board culture that runs efficiently, stays accountable to its mission, and makes informed decisions. In every meeting I have attended with Laura she comes immaculately prepared and researched, and she's just as comfortable speaking up when it matters as she is listening and shifting her perspective when it's warranted. Her 18 years with KCR give her a perspective this city needs, and I believe she'll bring council the accountability and tracking that Kelowna citizens want; informed councillors who stay focused on the mission and vote for what's genuinely best for our community."
Roger Wheeler
Professor, Hall School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Okanagan College
“Having collaborated with Laura Thurnheer for more than a decade across post-secondary education, nonprofit board governance, and local business advocacy, I have profound respect for her as a leader and a colleague. Working alongside Laura, I have consistently been impressed by her strong work ethic, collaborative approach, and deep-rooted commitment to our community's well-being. Laura is the type of dedicated professional who can navigate complex issues and champion meaningful, positive change. She has a genuine civic mindset, always looking to bring the community together around shared goals. Kelowna needs experienced approachable leaders, and Laura is the kind of person who will listen deeply and work tirelessly for our city's future.”
Deborah Matheson
Manager, IT Service, Okanagan College (Retired)
“I worked with Laura at Okanagan College for many years. In addition to her teaching role in the Faculty of Business, she embraced many additional roles during my tenure at the College. I believe her incredible work ethic, tenacity, commitment and expertise make her an outstanding candidate for Kelowna City Council.”
Jaime Briggs
Realtor, Coldwell Banker Horizon Realty
“I’ve known Laura Thurnheer for more than 20 years and have tremendous respect for her intelligence, integrity and genuine commitment to our community. With her extensive business, leadership and community experience, I believe she would be a strong, balanced voice and an exceptional addition to Kelowna City Council.”
Rick Pushor
Lawyer (retired)
"My name is Rick Pushor. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Laura Thurnheer for several years. During that time I’ve always found her to be very bright, considerate and well prepared. Please vote for her in our upcoming civic election. She will be an outstanding addition to our city council. "
Dan Allen
Business Professor/Entrepreneur
“I’ve worked alongside Laura Thurnheer at Okanagan College and have seen firsthand the kind of leader she is. She listens, builds consensus and has the courage to make difficult decisions while keeping people motivated and engaged. She helped guide Okanagan College through significant growth and change, and I believe she is exactly the kind of steady, thoughtful leadership our city needs now. For me, Laura is a no-brainer for City Council.”
Lisanne Ballantyne
Past President & CEO, Tourism Kelowna
“Laura Thurnheer will bring real value to Kelowna city council. As a trusted advisor to senior leaders and a proven voice on local, regional, and provincial boards and committees, she has spent years working to strengthen business, health, education, and quality of life across our community. Her business expertise, judgment, and genuine commitment to Kelowna make her exactly the kind of leader our council needs. I'm proud to support Laura Thurnheer for city council."
Mark and Mary Jane Turton
Apex Sand and Gravel
“We are proud to support Laura for City Council. Laura brings a unique and valuable combination of small-business experience, financial analysis and reporting, and a genuine commitment to helping our community grow.
Having supported her husband’s business in the background for many years, Laura understands firsthand the opportunities and challenges that small-business owners face. Her financial knowledge gives her a practical understanding of the importance of responsible budgeting and sound financial decision-making. Laura has also been actively involved in our business community, not only with the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, but alongside both of us in the Okanagan Junior Chamber organizations. She also worked with Mary Jane at the Central Okanagan Community Futures Development Corporation, a non profit organization, where she helped support entrepreneurs and helped people turn their business ideas into reality. Laura understands that strong local businesses create jobs, strengthen our community, and contribute to a healthy local economy. She will bring practical experience, financial responsibility, and a strong understanding of what our business community needs to City Council.
We believe Laura will be a thoughtful, capable and hardworking representative for our community and we wholeheartedly support her candidacy.”
Dr. Alan Jenks,
Chiropractor,
Professor of Kinesiology, Vice Chair Senate Capilano University
“I have known Laura Thurnheer for years, and what stands out most about her is her ability to listen thoughtfully and act decisively. She brings a rare blend of deep community commitment, practical business sense, and genuine integrity to everything she does. As Kelowna grows, our council needs leaders who ask the hard questions, respect diverse perspectives, and focus on practical solutions. Laura is exactly that kind of leader, and I am proud to support her for Kelowna City Council.”
Micki Ruth
Community Volunteer
I had the pleasure of serving on the Mayor’s Task Force on Crime & Safety with Laura. She asked thoughtful, probing questions which help to broaden the discussion to ensure issues are looked at from a number of positions. Laura does not jump to conclusions but instead gathers and understands the matter at hand before taking a position. This approach is important on Council where many issues are not straight forward.
David M. Brown,
CPHR
Co-Founder + Partner
Ascent Employment Law Corporation
"Laura Thurnheer was a long-time board member and the president at KCR Community Resources before I succeeded her. I consider her to be a mentor to me. I have never seen anyone bring more energy to a volunteer role. She read every report, was clear on the rules of governance, chaired efficient, participatory meetings and came ready to debate. Under her leadership KCR bought and renovated its building, opened and found long term financing to the Kelowna Family Hub, and stabilized its adoption program. Laura already knows how to do this work, and I think she will serve Kelowna City Council admirably. She has my full support on October 17."
Gordon Shuster
Former Director, Okanagan College International Education
"I had the opportunity to work with, and get to know, Laura when we worked together at Okanagan College. Working alongside her, she always brought a thoughtful, fair, and well-informed approach to resolving issues and provided leadership in committee work. Her experience with the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations within our community, her business experience, and knowledge of the city and its issues, have prepared Laura well for a role as city councillor."
Paddy Hall
Realtor,
Paddy Hall Group
"I’m delighted to endorse Laura Thurnheer for Kelowna City Council. I first met Laura just out of high school, when I worked for her parents, Ray and Vivian Parton, in their store, Ray’s Ski Shop. Over the years, I’ve watched with admiration as she’s built an accomplished career of her own. Raised in Kelowna, Laura has a deep connection to this community and a genuine love for the city she’s always called home. I know her to be hardworking, dedicated, and pragmatic – someone who listens, thinks things through, and approaches challenges with common sense.
Kelowna is at a critical juncture. We're facing substantive challenges that affect the quality of life in our community, the health of our downtown and business districts, and the everyday lives of our citizens. Solving these problems will require pragmatism, compassion, accountability, collaboration with other levels of government and community agencies, and, above all, a commitment to achieving better outcomes. The decisions we make today will help shape the Kelowna we become. Laura will bring a thoughtful, practical perspective to those decisions, along with the determination to tackle difficult issues and a genuine commitment to the community she knows so well. I believe we would be very well served with Laura Thurnheer on Kelowna City Council, and I’m pleased to support her."
Bill Gillett
Former Dean,
Okanagan School of Business
Okanagan College
"I am proud to enthusiastically endorse Laura Thurnheer for Kelowna City Council. Having worked closely with Laura during my tenure as Dean of the Okanagan School of Business - where she excelled first as a professor and later as an indispensable leader in the Dean's Office - I have witnessed firsthand her extraordinary capability, work ethic, and heart for service. Beyond her academic leadership, Laura has a proven, decades-long history of deep engagement across the Kelowna community. She has consistently thrown her energy into making this city a welcoming, supportive, and prosperous place for all of its citizens. Kelowna is growing rapidly and faces complex future choices. Having seen her steady hand, sharp operational execution, and genuine care for people in action, I know Laura is exactly the type of collaborative, experienced leader needed on council today. She has my full support."
Patti DiMaria
Bella Rosa Orchards
Owner
“I’m proud to support Laura, a dedicated community-minded leader who understands the importance of agriculture and local farmers. Her commitment to our community and support for agriculture will help build a strong and thriving future for everyone.”
