Kelowna Youth Organization to Welcome New Executive Director

A local organization will be welcoming a new addition to their team.

The board of directors of the Bridge Youth and Family Services is pleased to announce the appointment of their new Executive Director, Celine Thompson.

“We are very excited that Celine has joined our team,” said Tina Marten, board president. “She brings a wealth of experience from the not-for-profit and family services sector. Celine has extensive executive director and board experience, working most recently as the national director for military family services, a position which she held for over a decade. She is motivated by a desire to make a difference in the community in which she lives.”

Thompson is looking forward to joining the Bridge team and provide continued support for the Kelowna community.

“Not only does the organization have a mission and core principles that mirror my own, it has established administrative processes that make it demonstrably accountable to funders, in addition to being agile and responsive to community needs. The Bridge has set the bar for the provision of quality services to participants, and has a solid reputation in the community – both of which serve as an excellent foundation to build on,” added Thompson.

Thompson has a variety of skills to bring to the table, as she has pursued training in human resources, board development, public sector financial management, conflict resolution, volunteer development, and leadership. Along with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Master’s degree in Public Administration, the board of directors believes Thompson will be a great addition to the Okanagan family.

“We expect The Bridge to continue as a leader and innovator in the community social services sector, locally, in the Okanagan and beyond. The Board of Directors is very excited to move forward with Celine's leadership, and anticipate the agency staff and community will be, too,” said Marten.

The Bridge Youth and Family Services provides innovative and quality programming that supports children, youth, families, and individuals in building healthy and positive lives. The non-profit organization has been providing counselling, education, and support services within the Central Okanagan since 1969.