Butler to receive service award from college
The first executive director of the Okanagan College Foundation, Kathy Butler, will be recognized with the Distinguished Service Award by the college.
“Kathy left a legacy of growth and development and a significant record of fundraising at the college,” said Neil Fassina, college president.
The award recognizes past employees who have given outstanding service to Okanagan College and are active within and outside the college community.
During her tenure, 11,272 awards worth more than $12 million were disbursed to students by the foundation. She also led the largest college capital campaign in B.C., raising $9 million for the Kelowna trades complex — nearly doubling the $5-million goal.
“Fund development is more than the raising of money; it is the building of long-term relationships and a community of support that elevates the college and furthers access and opportunities for students.,” Butler said.
Butler began her path to fundraising and donor relations by working with Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.
She entered the post-secondary sector as Okanagan University College split into two organizations: Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan. Butler established the organizational and fund structure to serve OC for years to come.
In 2016, she conducted research
on the state of post-secondary fundraising in Canada, earning a Master of Arts degree in philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She has held Certified Fund Raising Executive designation since 1993.
She retired from OC in 2018 and joined Global Philanthropic Canada as a senior consultant. She remains active in the community, serving as a director for the Child Advocacy Centre in Kelowna, and as assistant governor of Rotary District 5060.
Butler joins seven other past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Jayne Brooks (2020), Heather Banham (2019), Rick Gee (2016), John Lent (2014), Catherine Williams (2012), Gary Dickinson (2011) and Lynda Wilson (2010).
Butler will receive the award at a convocation ceremony in June.