Board of Directors | IWEN Canada

Board of Directors

Profiles

Sharon Walls, BEd

Sharon spent 40 years caring for the needs of children as a teacher in the southern interior of British Columbia. She and her husband Pat raised three daughters in Kelowna and are now enjoying five grandchildren and an active, healthy, lifestyle. She is passionate about changing the lives of children in need, wherever they may be.

Katie Phelps, BA

Katie Phelps has a strong background in development and international organizations. Some of Katie's previous experience includes participating as an NGO delegate at the UN, a Country Coordinator for the Middle East Partnership Initiative in Oman, and the President of the Expat Women's Association in Surabaya, Indonesia. In addition to her work with IWEN, Katie is the mother of 2 young girls. Katie's love for travel and children ignites her passion for working with local immigrant women and our cause in Nepal.

Paul Whitewood

Richelle Lawrence

Linda Edgecombe, BA

Linda is an internationally popular motivational speaker on the topic of work/life balance. Her humorous yet insightful keynote addresses have thrilled groups as diverse as McDonald's Restaurants and Shell Oil to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Edgecombe County Schools. Linda is also the author of several best selling books.

Jill Conroy, CDA

Jill works in the field of dentistry in Kelowna. Her previous volunteer and paid positions with charitable organizations, in dentistry and the private sector give Jill the expertise required to ensure IWEN's website, blog, Twitter and Facebook accounts keep IWEN's supporters up to date. With a vision of helping to build the school classrooms, Jill is extremely passionate for the cause both here and in Nepal.

Heather Oishi, CEA

Education is Heather's passion. Helping students with special needs, Heather believes in life-long education and that education is the ticket to opportunity. As a full time Certified Education Assistant, mother, wife and community volunteer, Heather enjoys a life full of family and friends. She has been an extremely valuable resource for IWEN here in Kelowna, and her enthusiasm for education is evident in her work fundraising for our students in Nepal.

Michelle Bonneau, BA, MA, R.C.C.

Michelle is the founder of IWEN. While travelling around the world on a year "off " in 2000, she came through Nepal and learned about the lack of education for Nepali women. Her dream was to start an educational society to ensure Nepali women would have options in their lives. Five years later, she started IWEN with like-minded people, sold her beautiful apartment on Lake Okanagan, gave up her job as head of the Kelowna Family Centre and moved to Kathmandu to make this project a reality. Michelle is a volunteer. She lives and works in Nepal at her own expense. She returns to Canada for a few months every year to help raise money and to attend the IWEN Annual General Meeting.

Buy A Brick

For $100 you can buy a brick with your family name on it and have it installed on the walls of the school. You could also dedicate the brick to someone you care about. All proceeds from this will go directly to the Cause and you will be provided a tax receipt for your contribution.

Learn More


Recent Blog Posts

  • Diane's Reflections on Nepal
    5/4/2012-My heart swells with such a mixture of emotion when I recall my time in Nepal - especially in the villages - that I find it difficult to verbalize the experience. Each picture b.. read more
  • Michelle's Update from Nepal
    4/25/2012-My Dearest Friends and Supporters This note is just to follow-up on several requests I have made over the past year. The purpose is to let you know that whatever fund.. read more
  • IWEN Cooking Class/Fundraiser
    4/19/2012-Hello Again Everyone, It's time for another tremendous opportunity to help keep the wheels at IWEN spining, while providing fun evening of cultural enter.. read more
  • IWEN Press Release
    4/17/2012-KELOWNA BUSINESS MAN AND HIS TEAM MAKING HUGE A DIFFERENCE ON THEIR “SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY HOLIDAY” Kelowna, BC - A group of self-funded volunteers have decided to ta.. read more
  • IWEN Pub Night!
    3/23/2012- UBC Okanagan School of Social Work and the BCASW is teaming up with IWEN to offer a fun filled night with food, drinks, music and a cause! We Know this night will be .. read more