Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors are a passionate team bringing knowledge and experience
from various backgrounds. United by their passion for climate advocacy, together they all work hard to turn their shared concern for our planet into a positive change for our future.
Margaret Holm
Margaret has worked in outreach and education for cultural and conservation organizations as a researcher, writer and program facilitator. She now devotes time to climate engagement, environmental conservation, gardening, and staying active.
Sue Kirschmann
Sue grew up in Penticton and feels fortunate to be back in the Okanagan, where she helps run her family’s vineyard and farm. She has degrees in Biology and Health Information Science, along with a love of the natural world that has taken her to many remote corners of BC. She is happy to have found FTFO, and is committed to turning her concern about climate change into action for positive change.
Corinne Durston
Corinne grew up in small Manitoba towns. After doing her BA at the University of Winnipeg, she moved to Vancouver to do her MLS and then worked as a librarian for over 30 years.After retirement she served on the Friends of the Vancouver Public Library Board.Since moving to Penticton, she has worked as a wedding officiant and became involved with the Grandmothers for Africa.As a grandmother and great grandmother she is passionate about acting to create a liveable planet.
Khati Hendry
Khati is a recently retired family physician with a strong interest in community health and the environment, especially forests. She worked in immigrant health centres in California, bought a hybrid car in 2001, and moved to the Okanagan in 2004. She has been distressed to see the predicted climate changes accelerating, and is keen to mobilize people to do all we can for a better future. Interests include exploring nature, drawing and always learning.
Henry Sielmann
Born and raised on a farm in Germany, Henry pursued a career in industry without ever losing his passion for nature. Henry holds a M.Sc. in Engineering Physics and managed various technology and energy projects. Now happily retired in the Okanagan Valley, Henry is free to share his love of the outdoors and help promote a responsible use of our natural resources.
Lori Goldman
Lori is an ESL teacher and former business owner who cares about social justice. She is active in the community volunteering with seniors, organizing events for climate education and activities, and encouraging others to participate for a future of climate justice. She loves birding, hiking the Penticton hills and waterways, and learning languages.
WILLIAM (BILL) LAVEN
​Although I attended school in Ontario I received my education in my Dad’s library and at the U of A in Edmonton. After a 35 year career in education, I recently retired. My partner and I are proud parents of five grown children, who are now parents themselves. My interest in climate change began many years ago, and as a working teacher I tried my best to cycle to work as often as I could. I hope to be able to help in the spreading of awareness of the healthy lifestyle inherent in walking and cycling, and the ways we can all contribute to lessen our carbon footprint.
KRISTY DYER
Kristy Dyer is a Gen X writer with a column in Castanet called Sustainability Spotlight. She has a Ph.D. in physics. After a research career in astronomy she worked in commercial-scale solar PV, permitting reform for rooftop solar, energy efficiency, and sustainability in BC tourism. She’s been writing columns on sustainability since 2012 and her columns are collected at teaspoonenergy.blogspot.com
MORGAN KING
Morgan was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan on Treaty 4 land and the traditional territory of the Métis. She is a queer white interdisciplinary researcher with degrees in Chemistry, Anthropology, and Sustainability. Morgan has always loved nature and grew up gardening. She is a passionate advocate for climate action and is interested in understanding why people make the choices they do in relation to sustainability, resiliency, and climate action. Interests are writing, especially poetry, reading, anything crafty, and yoga.