President:
Sara Charvet ,
Director: Talent & Organizational
Development-First West Cr. Union
Originally from the UK, Sara immigrated to British Columbia in 2010 and calls the Okanagan Valley home. Passionate about developing people and organizations, since 2014 Sara has worked for First West Credit Union and is currently Director, Talent & Organizational Development, accountable for leadership development, learning and talent programs, as well as organizational development including culture, employee engagement, and inclusion and diversity. Sara has over 20 years’ experience in human resource management, within financial services, retail and telecommunications. She holds a Master’s degree in human resource management, the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, UK) SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management, US), and the CPHR (BC and Yukon).
Vice President:
Ernie Blumke
Marketing Manager (retired)
Ernie is a Certified Marketing Manager with over 40 years experience in broadcasting, marketing, and advertising. A strong believer in community support, he has sat on Boards/Committees that include the Penticton Peach Festival Committee, Snowbirds Association, Penticton Tourism, and as President and Past President of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Penticton Board of Trade. Since moving to the Okanagan in 1980, he has raised one son and two step-sons and is “gramps” to six grandchildren. He is proud and honoured to serve on the CMHA Board.
Treasurer:
Megan Long, CPA
Senior Manager,
Business Performance
Megan is a senior finance professional with 15 years of progressive and broad finance and accounting experience in a variety of industries, such as banking, public practice, and government.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Victoria in 2002, and more recently in 2012, completed her Chartered Professional Accountants Designation (CPA, CGA).
Megan was born and raised in Penticton, and after being away for many years, she is thrilled to be living back in her hometown, raising her family and volunteering in our wonderful community.
Directors:
Mark Smed
Information Technology
My entire career has been working with technology and small to medium sized businesses. I started with my own small company in 1989, while living in Summerland. Since then, I have continued to develop my knowledge and skills. I have stayed in Summerland since I arrived in 1989, married and raising two daughters who have grown up and are attending university. I have an enormous amount of gratitude for the life I lead, and look for any opportunity to improve myself or my community through discussion, volunteering and work. In my spare time, I like to write creatively, hike, fish and mutilate the occasional canvas with acrylic paint.
Sasha Klementis
Viticulturist
Having spent many years in the hospitality and tourism industry, my partner and I decided to make the move to beautiful Penticton last year so I could pursue a career in the ever growing wine industry. I received my Viticulture certificate from Okanagan college and haven’t looked back since. In my spare time I love watching hockey, camping, being outside and spending time with friends and family. Mental health has always been a big part of my life and something I have always felt passionate in supporting and advocating for. When the opportunity arose to join the board for the SOS branch of CMHA, I jumped at the chance! I’m so thrilled to be apart of such an amazing board of directors and the organization as a whole.
Jon Ferebee
Radio personality (retired)
Jon is a former broadcaster who has lived in the South Okanagan since 1994 and currently lives in Naramata. After a 30 year career in radio the last 25 years based at SUN FM and EZ Rock in Penticton where he was both News Director and Program Director. He retired from radio in September of 2017 and joined the Naramata Fire Department. He is a long time Director on the board of the South Okanagan Children’s Charity, currently in the role of President. He is also Vice President of the Naramata Fire Department Charitable Society. Jon is the father of two adult children and has one grandson, and his been married to his wife Natalie since 2001.
Pamela Webster
Lawyer (retired)
Pamela Webster is a retired lawyer. She was born in Kitimat, British Columbia of parents who travelled west from New Brunswick. She completed her post secondary education in the Maritimes, and then, following in the footsteps of her parents, headed west to Calgary to practice law. Upon retirement Pam and her husband, Bill, moved to Naramata, BC. Pam was looking for ways to become involved in her new community when she was asked to become a member of the board of directors of the CMHA-SOS. Pam became a director of the CMHA-SOS in 2018, seeing it as an opportunity to offer support in an area important to her, and also to the well-being of her community
Sherani Theophilus
Businesswoman
Sherani Theophilus has lived in many communities. She grew up in Waterloo and Windsor in Ontario before moving to Kentville, Wolfville, and Halifax, Nova Scotia to continue her education. Vancouver was her home and location of her business for many years before buying her home in Osoyoos in 2011. She is the proud mother of two.
Sherani studied Mechanical Engineering and BSc in business and mathematics. Her experience is eclectic; everything from research, drafting, sales, event planning, fundraising, bookkeeping, to PR and marketing. Currently, she works part-time at a hotel that has a long history in Osoyoos.
Sherani is currently forming a local youth peer support group, for those who often slip through the cracks after transitioning out of child programs. The model of support is one meant to work in a rural setting and can be duplicated in other rural areas. She also volunteers at the Okanagan-Similkameen Community Acupuncture Clinic, which features a sliding-scale cost to allow more people to access treatment. She has vast experience fundraising for many worthy causes, and because of personal experience, is advocating for the physical, financial, and mental wellness of local families.
Leah Schulting
Executive Director
Mary Ferrier
Executive Assistant
