Okanagan College Alumni Association Board

Why serve on the OCAA Board?

The Okanagan College Alumni Association is recruiting for a range of volunteer opportunities. This is a powerful way to grow personal and build professional expertise. Individuals who serve on a board have the opportunity to cultivate new skill sets as leaders. Through their service, they also expand their network of peers, professionals and community leaders, which provides new avenues for development, outreach, influence and mentorship.

Volunteer opportunities:

  • Join our Board for September
  • Attend regularly scheduled board meetings
  • Take part in task force opportunities
  • Volunteer at Okanagan College events

If you are interested in attending a board meeting or volunteering, contact alumni@okanagan.bc.ca.

The board is open to all OC and OUC Alumni who obtained eligible certificates, diplomas, degrees or credits totaling 30.

 

President

Zach Webster

Zach has lived in the Okanagan-Shuswap since he was 10 years old.  He attended Okanagan University College in its transition years from Okanagan University College to Okanagan College and received his Bachelor of Arts.  He would go on to return to Okanagan College in later years to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons).  He began his professional career as a research and teaching assistant and has remained in the education sector ever since. 

Most recently, he spent 5 years in Alberta with Olds College as a Continuing Education Program Coordinator.  While there, he worked programming for craft distilling professionals, conferences for agricultural lenders, and workshops for eclectically entrepreneurial hand spinners and weavers.

Zach returned to the Okanagan in 2018 and currently works as a Program Administrator with Okanagan College.  He works with local Indigenous communities as well as collaborating as a part of the College’s Food, Beverage, and Tourism programming.  Most importantly, Zach is married to Leah MacDermid and together they enjoy the incredible culture of the Okanagan.

Portrait of Corporate Training Specialist Zach Webster

Vice President

Domenic Rampone

Domenic was born in Kelowna, B.C., to a farming family, and since 1893, the family has been farming in the Okanagan. He is married to Lina (DiRenzo), and together they have four married children and eight grandchildren. The grandchildren represent the sixth generation in the Kelowna area. The family has grown or produced every commodity that can be cultivated in Kelowna, including tobacco and dairy.

Domenic graduated from Okanagan College in 1976 with a Diploma in Business Administration. He is a Business Development Officer for West Manufacturing Ltd in West Kelowna. Domenic also serves as a Domestic Sales Representative for Jealous Fruits and as a Business Development Director for International Coliseums, which builds ice arenas across North America. His family also operated a market garden for 40 years on Gordon Drive, growing a large variety of fruits and vegetables.

Domenic currently serves as a Director of the Uptown Rutland Business Association, Committee Member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for the City of Kelowna, Director of the Kelowna Branch of the Okanagan Historical Association, and is affiliated with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada West. He also got selected to be on the board of directors of the Ntityix Development Corporation of Westbank First Nations.

He has previously served as a Commissioner on the Economic Development Commission of the Westbank First Nations, board member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, Penticton Chamber of Commerce, Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, the BCFGA, and has participated in several national farm groups. Domenic has also worked for the Regional District of Central Okanagan as a senior accountant and building manager for 35 years amd has served on many minor sports boards and has scouted for various junior and minor professional teams.

OC alum Domenic Rampone

Treasurer/Secretary

Chea Elton

Chea’s passion for learning started at the Okanagan College while completing her Associate of Arts Diploma in 2010-2012. She continued her education at UBCO completing a Bachelor of Arts in 2018 and a Master of Arts degree in 2020. During her degrees, she was the President of the Geography Course Union, served on the board of the Central Okanagan Food Policy Council, and volunteered for numerous local food system related events in the Okanagan. Chea is passionate about community service, research and learning, and brings five years of volunteer coordination, event planning and project management to the board.  

Chea is currently working in the Continuing Studies department at the Okanagan College as a Program Coordinator and volunteers for the College’s “Red Dot” players productions.  

OC alum Chea Elton

Past President

Kara Kazimer

Kara is President of the Board and is dedicated to keeping graduates connected to their alma mater. Graduating from Okanagan University College, Kara earned her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with distinction in 1999. During her studies, Kara gained extensive practical experience through opportunities to work in conjunction with the local business community and all levels of government agencies, and was awarded the Student Award of Excellence for her year-long baccalaureate project completed through her degree. In addition to her BBA, she has also earned diplomas in Marketing and Accounting and several market research, business development and quality management certificates. 

Kara is married to OC alum, Jason Kazimer and they have two children, Alexander and Chelsea. Kara is now a Program Administrator for Continuing Studies at Okanagan College where she plays a key role in program development and the delivery of contract opportunities.

Kara Kazimer

Board Member

Jeremy Creed

Jeremy was born in Vancouver and raised in North Delta, B.C. Jeremy moved to Kelowna in 2018 to continue working as well as complete his studies. Jeremy met his wife, Emily, in Kelowna in 2018 and they got married in July 2023. Because of this, Jeremy always has felt a connection to the Okanagan.

During his time at Okanagan College (OC), Jeremy volunteered with the Okanagan Business Students’ Association (OBSA). He started volunteering the first year he arrived at OC and eventually became president in his last year. He is extremely excited about creating connections and meeting interesting people. He has a fondness for OC and the Okanagan community that will never fade.

Jeremy and Emily currently live in Burnaby, B.C. He works for Canteen of Canada, a division of Compass Group Canada as Business Development Manager/Customer Services Manager for B.C. Jeremy has worked in the Food and Beverage industry for 10 years, five of which have been with Canteen.

In his spare time, Jeremy enjoys golf, hockey, reading and trying new foods!

OC alum Jeremy Creed

Board Member

Gordon Ficke

Born in Penticton and raised in Westbank, Gordon worked at various jobs and travelled extensively after graduating high school in 1970 from George Pringle Secondary School. After returning from a year abroad, Gordon decided to pursue a new career in electronics and enrolled in the Electro-Technology program at Okanagan College. Upon graduation in 1978, Gordon was hired at Pitney-Bowes as a service technician but since has changed career paths and owns and operates a nursery with his wife, Trish. Gordon has three daughters, all of whom have attended Okanagan College's predecessor, OUC.

Gordon has been involved with the Alumni Association for more than 15 years. He has served two terms as President, one term as the Chair of the Distinguished Alumni Award committee and is always willing to lend a hand volunteering at events. 

Gordon Ficke

Board Member

Tamika Leslie

Tamika was born and raised in Jamaica and has proudly made Canada her home. Her journey with Okanagan College began with a Diploma in Computer Information Systems, followed by a Certificate in Project Management, and eventually a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. She is grateful for the foundation Okanagan College provided and the role it played in shaping her career path.

Tamika currently works as a senior product manager, drawing on both her technical background and her experience leading teams to create meaningful, people-centered solutions. She values collaboration, mentorship, and building inclusive spaces where others can grow and succeed.

Outside of work, Tamika enjoys spending time with her family, cheering from the sidelines as a dedicated soccer mom, exploring new places, and staying connected to her Jamaican roots and the Okanagan community that continues to be an important part of her story.

OC alum Tamika Leslie

Board Member

Zackery Plaxton

Zackery joined the Okanagan College Alumni Association board of directors in 2024. A graduate of Okanagan College with a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) and the University of Alberta with a Juris Doctor, Zackery is passionate about fostering community involvement and building meaningful connections.

Zackery was born and raised in Kelowna and is currently a lawyer at a local law firm where he advises clients on corporate, real estate, and estate planning matters. Zackery combines his academic and professional experience with a dedication to giving back to the Okanagan College community.  

OC alum Zackery Plaxton

Board Member

Kadille Walker

Kadille's journey commenced with Okanagan University College (OUC) in 2016, where she pursued and completed a Communications, Culture and Journalism Studies Diploma.

She has a Human Resources and Administration background, with over 10 years experience in the Private and Public sectors, inclusive of Insurance, Banking and Finance, Customer Service and the Health Industries. Kadille holds a Bachelors in Human Resources Management, with Honors and Masters in Business Administration from the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).

Kadille has been a part of the Literacy Skills Tutoring Program at the Okanagan University College (OUC) for over 2 years while studying at the college. She also volunteered with the College's "Red Dot" Players (at their annual Live theatre presentation: "Sense & Sensibility") and was a part of the Communications Press Team in 2018 - FutureNow Forum (whose members were instrumental in launching the first event entitled - "Exhibits of Exceptional Work by OC Students"). Kadille has been active and is always excited to give back to her Alma Mater in anyway she can.

Kadille is married to Gairy and along with their son Jachin, they enjoy the awesome scenery of the beautiful Okanagan region.

Kadille Walker
Alumni
Address

Centre for Learning E501
1000 KLO Road
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
250-762-5445
1-877-755-2266 (toll-free)
Email
alumni@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 8:30-4:00
Saturday: Closed