Amber Hall, Director of Communications
Amber Hall, (she/her/hers) truly believes that Ally is a verb and is committed to supporting and elevating the voices of those that have been marginalized. As Past President of the Greater Westside Board of Trade, she is proud of introducing DE&I training and annual Governance Training for the Board of Directors, as well as re-working the Bylaws to include inclusive language. In her commitment to inclusivity and diversity, she was the first President to add an advisory Director seat on the Board to the Kelowna Pride Society, and worked diligently with the Appointee Director from Westbank First Nation to ensure that best practices and respectful protocols were implemented and followed.
Amber’s extensive background in Community Relations, Public Engagement and Marketing will help to unify the voice of Advocacy Canada.
Brent Forder, Director of Technology
Brent Forder, (any pronouns) is an agender individual and resides on unceded Syilx territory in Kelowna, BC, as a white settler. With an enduring passion for software technology, they’re a self-taught programmer and guitarist who spent over a year in silent meditation retreats.
Brent’s career journey encompasses roles in electronics repair, project management, and IT management. In 2009, they pivoted to focus on software design, notably contributing to healthcare integrations in clinical EMR software in Canada and gaining certification as a software architect.
In addition to their technical expertise, Brent actively engages in business reviews and daily political commentary. Their activism is channeled towards advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ and indigenous communities, exemplified by organizing a campaign against Jordan Peterson’s Kelowna tour stop and administrating the Anti-Racism Kelowna Facebook group. They also volunteer with Solidarity Sundays, distributing supplies to the unhoused in Kelowna, and are working on a social enterprise project to connect marginalized communities. Brent is honored to contribute their diverse skills and commitment to Advocacy Canada’s mission to foster unity and amplify the voices of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies.
Darrien McWatters, Vice-President
Darrien “Dee” McWatters, (she/her) is a transgender woman residing in the southern interior town of Summerland, British Columbia, where she grew up and then raised her two boys who are now in their early 20s. Darrien discovered herself to be transgender in 2017 at the age of 43.
She has been a volunteer firefighter in the community for over 20 years and recently retired to focus more attention on hockey officiating and advocating for the 2SLGTBQIA community within sports. Darrien is part of BC Hockey’s workgroup on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as working with Hockey Canada on new policies pertaining to gender expression and diversity. Dee has played hockey since the age of 8 and continues to play on her Kelowna women’s team, the Trash Pandas.
Darrien has been employed in the wine industry all her life and is changing directions and working towards carving out a career in EDIB consulting and advocacy, 2SLGTBQIA+ advocacy and professional and leadership speaking engagements.
Heather Stewart, Director of Fund Development
Heather Stewart (she/her) is a feminist and an ardent advocate of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice (DEISJ). She has been actively engaged in facilitating and supporting DEISJ through leadership programs, organizational development projects, coaching, and with her consulting clients.
Heather has participated as a board member and community leader in many sectors over many decades. She brings a passion for learning, and in having meaningful conversations, listening more than she speaks, and developing ways of supporting those who are marginalized and discriminated against.
Heather wants to find ways to support 2SLGBTQIA+ groups and people to experience caring and open-hearted communities.
Jillian Garrett, Director of Governance
Jillian Garrett (she/her) is a professor of Communications at Okanagan College. As a member of the local disability community, Jillian works passionately to combat ableism and promote equity and accessibility; she has spent decades volunteering in the public health sector as a patient advocate, and proudly sits on
Okanagan College’s Accessibility Committee. Jillian is particularly interested in supporting equity and inclusivity for 2SLGBTQIA+ people living with disabilities.
She also has many years of experience sitting on a variety of governance committees, including current roles on the Board of Directors of the Kelowna Art Gallery and as Chair of Okanagan College’s Education Council.
Rachel Adair, Director of Membership and Volunteer Coordinator
Rachel Adair (she/her/hers), a fourth-generation settler who grew up in the Niagara Region, Ontario, on the ancestral lands of the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe Peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. She now resides on unceded Syilx Okanagan territory in Kelowna. As a white settler and ally to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Rachel is dedicated to lifelong learning and actively opposing systems of colonization, white supremacy, and discrimination.
Wilbur Turner, President and Chair
Wilbur Turner (he/him/his), the visionary founder and President of Advocacy Canada, brings a lifetime of dedication and passion to the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ equality.
Wilbur’s leadership extends throughout the community. He serves as the 2SLGBTQIA+ sector representative on Kelowna’s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness, demonstrating his dedication to local advocacy efforts. He previously served as president of the Kelowna Pride, Fierté Canada Pride, and Living Positive Resource Centre boards, and played a pivotal role in establishing Kelowna’s Etcetera 2SLGBTQ youth group. His diverse background encompasses leadership roles in various organizations, from large corporations to community-driven initiatives.
Combining his extensive experience and unwavering advocacy, Wilbur serves as a critical force for good within Advocacy Canada. He guides the organization in fostering unity, amplifying voices, and driving transformative change for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.