Kelowna honours community leaders—and seeks the next ones

Every year, the City of Kelowna honours residents whose dedication, leadership, and compassion strengthen the fabric of the community. Last year’s award recipients—Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Champion of the Environment—reflect the best of Kelowna’s spirit through their service, advocacy, and commitment to making life better for others.

Citizen of the Year 2024 Clayton Gall has been a pillar of the community since 2010, shaping Kelowna through philanthropy, mentorship, and visionary leadership. In 2024, he led the BC Cancer Interior Transformation Council in raising $6.1 million for a new Systemic Therapy Suite, increasing the region’s capacity to treat cancer patients by 40 per cent. He also championed a $3-million campaign to establish Kelowna’s first research and development hub in honour of his late wife, Shannon. Clayton’s influence extends across the arts, health care, and financial sectors, serving in leadership roles with the Kelowna Art Gallery, CFA Society Okanagan, and the KGH Foundation. His efforts have supported major initiatives including the province’s first lung cancer screening program, the Interior Health & Surgical Centre, and JoeAnna’s House. A dedicated mentor to CFA candidates and a strong supporter of PROFYLE, he continues to inspire others through his unwavering commitment.

The 2024 Young Citizen of the Year, Ainsley Wood, brings a powerful voice for accessibility and inclusion. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, she transformed her experience into advocacy and leadership, working to ensure others have the support they need. Now a UBC Okanagan student, Ainsley serves as volunteer vice chair of the Rick Hansen Foundation’s Youth Leadership Committee, where she developed resources to help youth with disabilities navigate postsecondary education—materials now used globally. She has written on accessible technology, mentors peers through Spinal Cord Injury BC, and provides feedback to Kelowna General Hospital on improving rehabilitation experiences. Her willingness to share her story publicly has inspired many, and even during the pandemic she found ways to uplift others by organizing an accessible Halloween event for hospital patients.

Champion of the Environment Beverley Kalmakoff and the Kelowna Tree Protectors made remarkable progress in strengthening Kelowna’s urban forest in 2024. They installed 33 new Tree Identification Signs, bringing the total to 88, and led community education through Earth Day events, Heritage Week presentations, and the Festival of Trees. Beverley also coordinated a tree planting event at Calmels Park and advocated passionately for tree protection and climate resilience at Council meetings and community gatherings. Her leadership has fostered a culture of environmental stewardship and ensured Kelowna’s tree canopy continues to thrive.

Together, these honourees embody the compassion, resilience, and community spirit that make Kelowna stronger.

Do you know someone who has made exceptional voluntary contributions to Kelowna? Help us celebrate those who make a difference in our community! Nominate at kelowna.ca/civicawards, nominations close Feb. 9.