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:
Chair - Karen Hawes
Karen is Senior Manager Human Resources for Interior Savings Credit Union and is in her second year as Chair.
Incoming Chair - Marian Gushue-Geiger, CHRP
Marian is Human Resources Manager at Commissionaires BC and is in her third year of the Advisory Council. She holds both the Membership and Volunteering portfolios.
Administrator - Chaelene Ratzlaff
Chae is currently a Co-op Human Resources Assistant at the City of Kelowna and strudent at UBC Okanagan. She is in her first year on the Advisory Council.
Communications & Post Secondary - Violet Frost, CHRP
Violet is Human Resources Advisor at Westwood Fine Cabinetry and is in her third year on the Advisory Council.
Mentoring - Shane Mosley
Shane is Manager of Human Resources at Sawchuk Developments. 2011-2012 is his first year on the Advisory Council.
Networking - Nick Melemenis
Nick is a Human Resources Manager at Brewster Healthcare Group and is joining the Advisory Council for the first time.
Post Secondary - Susan Van Unen, CHRP
Susan is the Human Resources Supervisor at Kelowna Flightcraft Group. She is in her fourth year on the Advisory Council.
Professional Development & CHRP - Paulette Brager, CHRP
Paulette is the Learning and Development Advisor at Valley First Credit Union and is in her fourth year on the Advisory Council.
Public Relations - Joan Kleinsteuber, CHRP
Joan is an HR Advisor at Okanagan College. This is her third year on 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
