The Southern Interior Region offers a number of educational, networking and volunteer opportunities throughout the year for HR professionals in Okanagan and other southern interior regions including the Kootenays. Professional development workshops and regular roundtables covering a variety of topics are organized by the Advisory Council to meet the needs of BC HRMA members in this area. Networking opportunities are provided on a regular basis, including monthly "mingles" and two larger annual social events. The region also has an active mentoring program.
To see upcoming activities, please view our calendar. Select Southern Interior to search for what's happening in your region.
The Southern Interior Advisory Council welcomes input from all BC HRMA members who would like to be involved with the growth of HR practice in the region.
For a community breakdown of the Southern Interior region, please refer to Regions By City.
Southern Interior Advisory Council
The Southern Interior Advisory Council handles the planning and implementation of local BC HRMA activities and is made up of members representing a broad range of HR experience levels and areas of practice as follows:
Karen Hawes - Chair
Karen is Senior Manager Human Resources for Interior Savings Credit Union and is in her sixth year as an Advisory Council Member.
Cornelia Bujara, CHRP - Vice Chair
Cornelia is a Human Resources Advisor at the City of Kelowna and has been an Advisory Council Member for six years.
Roberta Fidalgo, CHRP
Roberta is Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for Valley First Credit Union. She has been an Advisory Council Member for eleven years.
Kathy Holmes, CHRP
Kathy is owner of Gailforce Resources and is in her fourth year on the Advisory Council
Shawn Swallow
Shawn is Associate Director, Career Services and Co-op Education at UBC-Okanagan
and is in his third year on the Advisory Council.
Paulette Brager, CHRP
Paulette is Learning and Development Advisor at Valley First credit Union and is in her third year on the Advisory Council.
Susan Van Unen, CHRP
Susan Van Unen is Human Resources Manager with Paragon Pharmacies Limited and is in her third year on the Advisory Council.
Violet Frost, CHRP
Violet is Human Resources Advisor at Westwood Fine Cabinetry and is in her second year of the Advisory Council.
Marian Gushue-Geiger, CHRP
Marian is Human Resources Manager at Commissionaires BC and is in her second year of the Advisory Council.
For general inquiries regarding the Southern Interior Region, please contact Tim Read, Member Relations Manager. E-mail: tread@bchrma.org phone: (250) 763 3199
