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Kelowna Innovation Society Names New Executive Director
Friday, November 27, 2015
Vancouver, BC, November 27, 2015--(T-Net)--The Kelowna Innovation Society (KIS) announced today the appointment of Donnie Ungaro as its inaugural Executive Director. Reporting to the board, Ungaro will assume this new role effective December 1st.
KIS is a government funded not for profit that is working collaboratively with all levels of government, entrepreneurs, industry, academia and the private sector to drive economic growth and establish the region as the best place in western Canada for entrepreneurs to start and grow innovative, creative and technology-focused companies.
One of the key initiatives for KIS is the development and operation of 20,000 sq. ft. of vibrant, creative, innovative space within the new Okanagan Centre for Innovation currently being constructed in downtown Kelowna.
Okanagan Centre for Innovation
“We are thrilled to welcome Donnie to the position of Executive Director for KIS. He is well known and respected in the region as a community builder that has been successful through collaborative leadership, active engagement and entrepreneurial spirit, a perfect fit for this role,” said Jeff Keen, Director and Vice President of KIS.
Ungaro brings award-winning experience to KIS having led the Okanagan Young Professionals initiative for the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) for the past three years. The program recently won both the Provincial and National Economic Development Program of the Year.
Ungaro is also a seasoned entrepreneur having run his own company, Culinary Ink GastroVentures LTD for the past 8 years.
“I am honoured for the opportunity to not only lead, but shape the direction of KIS in conjunction with the development and goals of the OCI. The OCI is a monument to the movement of change occurring in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley as we continue to build upon our thriving technology and knowledge based economy. KIS will play a critical role in continuing this movement and I am very excited to be a part of it and the work we will do with our many partners in the community,” said Ungaro.
Ungaro will begin reaching out to stakeholders in the community to help shape the vision, key initiatives and policy for the Society.