Anna-Lyn Albers (they/them) is a queer/bi/pan, gender non-conforming person who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Gender and Sexuality Studies from the University of Calgary (2020); having recently moved to the traditional, unceded territory of the sqilxʷ/syilx (Okanagan) People. Since graduating, they have spent time in both frontline and administrative non-profit roles. During their time as a resident in both Calgary and Vancouver, they developed experience in addictions support, disability support, and immigrant and refugee support. Throughout their personal, and work life they remain passionate about harm reduction, transformative justice, feminism, disability, BIPOC, and 2SLGBTQIA+ justice. They are currently employed with the Central Okanagan Foundation as the Community Entity Coordinator for Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.
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 has been appointed to BC Hockey’s new 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 the Operations Manager of TIME Family of Wines Ltd. in
Penticton, BC.
Delaine Coppock (She/Her) holds a Master’s Degree in Television Production from Bournemouth University (England) and an Honours Degree in Film and Media Studies, and Biology from Stirling University (Scotland) after which she began her career working for Sony Computer Entertainment in London, England, excelling in Video Editing and Animation. She has continued her learning with Harvard Medical School’s online study programs, achieving certificates in Positive Psychology and Cognitive Fitness (a study of the aging brain). Delaine is an awarded author and works tirelessly to advocate for inclusion and diversity in books, promoting safe access to literature for all people. Delaine works at the Central Okanagan United Church in communications administration and where she has studied Mental Health First Aid and De-Escalation of Potentially Violent Situations as part of her work with the homeless community and at-risk individuals. Delaine has given her time as a volunteer to the Ian Somerhalder foundation leading the Video Production team, supporting the work of Girls in Games to promote equality and reduce toxic workplace culture in game studios, and working with Shelter UK in their programs to support vulnerable young men. Delaine is dedicated to creating a better, more loving, and inclusive world, and is delighted to be part of Advocacy Canada.
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.
Dr. Pierre Rondier (he/him/his) is an Institutional Programs Officer at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus. Pierre is originally from France and has spent the last 20 years in Canada. Pierre holds a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in urban planning and a postdoctoral fellowship in civil engineering. Prior to moving to Kelowna 6 years ago, he worked at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre in a research laboratory focusing on studying the social and environmental determinants of healthy aging. Pierre’s areas of expertise include project management, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and grant proposal development. Pierre is particularly interested in working to identify inclusive and aging-in-place housing solutions that meet the needs of the LGBTQ2AI+ community.
Wilbur Turner (he/him/his) is the Chair and Founder of Advocacy Canada and is a Program Coordinator, Health Promotion at Health Initiative for Men. His social and political awareness of issues that impact the 2S-LGBTQIA+ (queer) community inspired him to create this non-profit organization. He identifies as gay and queer and resides in Kelowna, BC on the unceded traditional lands of the Syilx people. He contributes on many levels to 2S-LGBTQIA+ rights locally and internationally. He is also the 2SLGBTQIA+ sector representative on Kelowna’s Community Advisory Board on Homelessness. Wilbur previously led the Kelowna Pride, Fierté Canada Pride, and Living Positive Resource Centre, boards and helped found Kelowna’s Etcetera 2SLGBTQ youth group.