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Staff and Directors

Peter Podovinikoff
Chair

Peter Podovinikoff is one of the founders of the First West Foundation. He is a Certified General Accountant (CGA) and retired from the executive team of Envision Financial in 2004. Since then, he has been active in numerous community organizations including Kwantlen Polytechnic University Foundation, Delta Foundation, and the Premier's Advisory Council on Literacy in B.C.

Mr. Podovinikoff's recognitions include appointment to the Canadian Credit Union Hall of Fame, receipient of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his extensive community work, and a Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa by Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Stewart Ladyman
Vice Chair

Stewart Ladyman devoted 33 years to B.C.’s public education system as a teacher, Principal, and Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Ladyman is the principal partner of Ladyman Consulting Inc., which advises school boards, schools (aboriginal, independent and public) and provincial organizations. Mr. Ladyman is a governor on the Science World board and a founding director of the Irving K. Barber BC Scholarship Society. From March 2006 to February 2008, Mr. Ladyman was appointed to the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission.

Paul Durose
Director
During a 33-year career with School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan), Paul Durose served as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent of schools and secretary-treasurer. His senior management responsibilities allowed him to work with the education communities in each of the centres served by Valley First as well as providing leadership in areas such as governance, finance, risk management and operations.
 
Mr. Durose continues to serve as a public member of the Council for the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia. He is also the past chair of the Property Assessment Review Panel for Kelowna.

Myrna Webster
Director

Born in Saskatchewan and educated in Kelowna and at UBC, Ms. Webster holds a B.Ed. degree in Commerce and a MA in Counseling Psychology. She recently retired as a teacher and counselor in Delta School District. First elected to the Board of Directors of First West Credit Union (formerly Delta Credit Union ) in 1984, Myrna served nine years, including six years as Board Chair. After two years of traveling, she was elected again in 1996, making a total of 19 of the last 22 years as a Director. Ms. Webster's current community activities include sitting on the Board of the Boag Foundation, Bluewater Cruising Association, and volunteering as a counsellor for Delta Victims Services.

Lois Wilkinson
Director
Lois Wilkinson is a retired educator and school administrator. She received her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, her Diploma in Education from UBC and her Masters in Business Education from UBC. Her education career was with the Vancouver School Board, Delta School District, and most recently, the Surrey School District. Ms. Wilkinson retired as principal from the Surrey School District in 2006, but still supports a mentorship program for new administrators.  

Larry Stevens
Director

Larry Stevens has been a notary public since 1977, and practices in Princeton and Keremeos. He is past-president of the Society of Notaries Public of British Columbia, and has served on its board for 25 years. In 2006, he was made a honourary life member of the society.

Mr. Stevens is also a member of Rotary International and serves on the board of St. Paul’s United Church in Princeton.

Seline Kutan
Executive Director
Seline Kutan began her career in the field of Public Relations and Marketing upon graduating from Simon Fraser University in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. In subsequent years, Seline obtained an Associate Certificate in Marketing Communications, as well as an Associate Certificate in Non Profit Management from BCIT.  
Seline’s experience in the non-profit sector began with her volunteer experiences, including serving as a board member and Chair of the Fundraising and Promotions Committee for the Surrey Delta Immigrant Services Society. She gained further knowledge of the sector in her role as Envision Financial’s Community Investment Officer from 1999 to 2006.