We are pleased to share some exciting updates from our Community & Visitor Engagement team, who are the face of our organization at the Kelowna Visitor Centre, providing welcoming service and connecting travellers with local tourism businesses to increase spending and disperse visitors throughout the region. 

Welcoming Back Kaitlyn Ellis

We are excited to welcome Kaitlyn Ellis back to her role as the Manager of Community & Visitor Engagement at the Kelowna Visitor Centre. After spending the past year and a half at home with her daughter, Kaitlyn resumes her role to oversee the day-to-day operations at the KVC while managing our talented team of Community Specialists.

"It has been such a joy and privilege to have spent the last 16 months raising my beautiful and spunky girl, but I'm so happy to be back and ready to lead with renewed energy," says Kaitlyn. "I'm also excited to help shape what’s next for our organization and our incredible destination.”

Those wishing to reconnect with Kaitlyn can reach her at kaitlyn@tourismkelowna.com or at (205) 861-1515 ext. 220.

Thanking Kassidy and Angelina

During a transition period early in 2025, Kassidy Cote and Angelina Scott stepped up to handle additional duties at the Kelowna Visitor Centre.

Kassidy, who started with our team in March 2023, took on the role of Interim Manager of Community & Visitor Engagement in addition to overseeing her duties as Retail Coordinator. In this interim role, she handled an array of duties during the months leading up to Kaitlyn's return, including working with our President & CEO, Lisanne Ballantyne, to recruit and onboard all our new team members.

At the same time, Angelina, who celebrated her 1-year anniversary with Tourism Kelowna in early April, officially transitioned to overseeing Tourism Kelowna's team of volunteers, as well as all events and activations within the Kelowna Visitor Centre and in the community.

We thank both Kassidy and Angelina for working diligently to support and lead the team over the past several months.

Introducing our New Team Members

We've recently welcomed the following team members as Community Specialists at the Kelowna Visitor Centre:

• Ava Podmorrow grew up in Oliver and has called Kelowna home for the past three years. She is majoring in business at Okanagan College, with a focus on tourism and hospitality. Ava loves to explore the outdoors, hike the local trails, and check out new food and wine spots around the Okanagan.
• Jarryd Grant was hired as part of our Lake Country visitor services team. He is looking forward to showcasing the region—he has moved back and forth between Kelowna and Lake Country over the years. Scandia Golf & Games is one of the classic spots he would suggest to visitors. 
• Kalee Glennie started with the team in early May, and so far her favourite part of the role is being able to meet people from around the world and learning more about the region. Having originally lived in Lake Country when she first moved to the Okanagan, she recommends Lake Country Radio Cafe as a must-visit coffee spot. 
• Kai Hugessen was born in Vancouver, spent their early years in Whistler, then was raised in Los Cabos, Mexico. Kai moved to Kelowna four years ago to attend UBCO; they recently graduated with a BA in Creative Writing and a certificate in Communications & Rhetoric. Their favourite local spot is Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Regional Park, tucked away in Lower Mission. 
• Morgan Koorbatoff: Another member of our Lake Country team, Morgan looks forward to sharing the natural places and adventure tourism activities with guests. 
• Nyla Moua: Original from Kitchener-Waterloo, ON, Nyla made the move to Kelowa two years ago and is currently studying psychology at UBCO. When she’s not hitting the books or working, you’ll likely find her hiking the Okanagan trails, fishing, or shopping.

These personable and enthusiastic individuals will be responsible for welcoming guests to the Kelowna Visitor Centre and in Lake Country, as well as responding to online, phone, and in-person inquiries, supporting the mobile team at events around the region, and more.

Showcasing our Existing Team Members

We're also thrilled to re-introduce some of our existing team members and introduce those folks who've joined the team throughout the past year:

Community Specialists

• Ainsley Wood has been with the team since April 2022. Her favourite thing about being part of the team is the positive camaraderie, and she enjoys helping visitors discover local gems.
• Gorete Welland started off as a volunteer in July 2024, then transitioned to the Community Specialist role in February 2025. The Vibrant Vine Winery is the must-visit spot she loves to share with guests. 
• Katie Neufeld has been with Tourism Kelowna for close to a year, having joined the team in September 2024. She will be supporting the team occassionally throughout the summer as coverage is needed. 
• Lily Packo has been a Community Specialist since April 2023—she's loved learning about all the different things to do in the area, especially hikes she can go on with friends and family. Her top recommendations for visitors are the Kelowna Art Gallery or any of the theatres in the Cultural District.
• Reid Gratz joined the team in May 2024. He loves history, arts, and culture, so it's no suprise that some of his favourite local spots include the Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna Museums, and New Vintage Theatre. 

Merchandising Specialist

• Gail Given is passionate about all things Kelowna, and served three terms as a City of Kelowna Councillor. She was also an appointed, non-voting member of Tourism Kelowna's Board of Directors, on behalf of the City. She officially joined Tourism Kelowna in May 2023, bringing her valuable experience in retail to the team as Merchandising Specialist.