Our Meet the Team series will introduce you to the people behind Tourism Kelowna, whose skills, perspectives, and passion bring our organization to life, build community connections, and strengthen our visitor economy. 

First up, we’re heading to the Kelowna Visitor Centre to meet our Community Specialists. Often among the first friendly faces visitors connect with, this team offers a warm welcome, thoughtful recommendations, and local insights that help visitors and locals connect with the best of Kelowna.
 

^{Members of Tourism Kelowna's Community & Visitor Engagement team, including Community Specialists and volunteers, at Carnist during a spring 2026 FAM tour.}

Introducing our New Team Members

First, we want to introduce our newest Community Specialists, who have joined our Community & Visitor Engagement team in the past few months. 
 

• Caslynn is highly community-minded, having worked with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society in a variety of capacities. 
  • She is also an entrepreneur, working as an Indigenous bead artist through her small business, Creations by Cas. 
  • Family is one of the most important parts of Caslynn's life, and she never misses a Monday visit with her Grandma. 
• Charlotte is a UNESCO Student Representative at Kelowna Secondary School, specifically involved as the head of communications. 
  • She takes part in numerous school activities, including helping organize clothing drives and fundraisers, and participating in the debate club. She also plays ultimate frisbee at school and in a rec league. 
  • Thanks to an exchange program she participated in, Charlotte speaks German. She also lived in Australia for a year. 
• Keán is studying International Relations at UBC Okanagan (UBCO). While his long-term goal is to work for the United Nations, he is currently starting small by contributing to local economic development. 
  • An outdoor enthusiast, you'll often find Keán skiing at Big White during the winter or exploring Myra Canyon in the warmer months. Ziplining is still on his to-do list!
  • Keán grew up in Hungary, then moved with his family to Tokyo when he was 15. He speaks Hungarian, Japanese, Spanish, and English. 
• Taryn is also a UBCO student, where she is studying sustainability with a focus on environmental and conservation management. 
  • Before starting her studies at UBCO, Taryn took a gap year to volunteer in Costa Rica, where she cleaned up beaches. This inspired her career path, in which she eventually wants to pursue a Master's degree and transition into the fashion industry. 
  • Taryn's interest in sustainability extends beyond her studies, as she volunteers with the Action Climate Team at UBCO and with the City of Kelowna in support of its Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy. 
  • She speaks French and has achieved a Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF), an official diploma certifying Taryn's language proficiency.

Showcasing our Existing Team Members

We're also thrilled to reintroduce and showcase our experienced Community Specialists, who've all been with the organization for a year or more. 
 

• Ainsley is the longest-serving member of Tourism Kelowna's Community & Visitor Engagement (C&VE), having joined the team in 2022; she now serves as a Senior Community Specialist. 
  • She is studying psychology at UBCO and is fluent in French. She has completed Level B2 in the DELF International French Language Assessment.
  • Ainsley is a UN Youth Delegate; she recently represented Canada at the UN Conference on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She is also Chair of the Youth Leadership Committee for the Rick Hansen Foundation.
  • In 2025, she was recognized as Young Citizen of the Year at the City of Kelowna's 50th annual Civic & Community Awards. In 2024, she was awarded one of 20 TD Scholarships for Community Leadership.
• Sam rejoined the C&VE team in May 2025 after previously working with Tourism Kelowna and is also a Senior Community Specialist.
  • She holds two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Creative Writing, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
  • Sam is a huge sports fan and loves the energy sports events bring to the city. You'll find her cheering on the Blue Jays, the Kelowna Rockets, and all of Canada's teams when they compete. 
  • She is also a frequent attendee of comi-con events, where she can indulge her love of K-pop and anime. 
• Tourism Kelowna welcomed Kai to the team in May 2025 and, in addition to their role as a Community Specialist, they oversee the OK+Co. Instagram channel and contribute to the #exploreKelowna Blog. 
  • Kai was born in Whistler, but grew up in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish.
  • They graduated from UBCO with a BA in Creative Writing and completed a certificate in Communications & Rhetoric. 
  • As a huge Kelowna Rockets fan, you'll often find Kai wearing a jersey on game days. 
  • Kai is passionate about languages and recently enrolled in Kelowna Museums' course to learn nsyilxcən, the language of the syilx Okanagan people. 
• Aria joined the C&VE team in May 2026 and was proud to have her participate as part of the organization's GoByBike week team in 2026.
  • Aria is an Indigenous Studies student and previously worked as an archival assistant at Sncewips.
  • She enjoys being outside and learning about plants and birds. 
  • Aria spends some of her free time volunteering as a Youth Leader at Mission Creek Alliance Church. 
• In May 2025, Kalee joined the team, where she has been able to build on her previous experience working at the Chamber of Commerce in Trail and the Castlegar Museum. 
  • Kalee graduated from UBCO in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. 
  • She grew up in Castlegar, where she returns frequently to visit family and her Australian Shepherd, Timber. 
  • When she's not at work, you'll find Kalee out on the lake, at a spin or yoga class, or playing softball during the warmer months. 
• ​Reid started as a Community Specialist in April 2024, where he shares his extensive knowledge of history, arts, and culture with visitors and locals alike. 
  • Reid is an actor with New Vintage Theatre, having performed in several shows over the past year, including Cocktails at Pam's, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
  • Along with frequenting some of his favourite spots like the Kelowna Art Gallery and Kelowna Museums, Reid can be found cheering on the Kelowna Rockets. His love of sports meant he took in several Memorial Cup games and Touchdown Kelowna festivities. 
  • Reid is a UBCO graduate, majoring in Political Science. 
• Jarryd has been part of Tourism Kelowna's team since May 2025, where he enjoys the opportunities he has to engage with visitors and share his knowledge of the region. 
  • ​Jarryd used to live in Lake Country, so he is a go-to resource for everything happening there. 
  • He is also a culinary student at Okanagan College and, in addition to his role with Tourism Kelowna, currently works at The Modest Butcher, Quails' Gate Winery, and the Kelowna Gospel Mission.

If you're stopping in at the Kelowna Visitor Centre or engaging with Tourism Kelowna's mobile visitor services team, be sure to say hello to the Community Specialists and get to know them better.

Stay tuned to the Industry News Centre this fall and winter to meet the rest of Tourism Kelowna's team.