In Focus | Karen Bulmer

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Karen Bulmer.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm from Fort St. John, British Columbia and have lived in Kelowna for 24 years.

Who s your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My nieces and nephews because they warm my heart. When we are together there are no rules; they can stay up late, watch scary movies and have ice cream for breakfast!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Nice, France. I am here right now on a study abroad program through Okanagan School of Business. I completed my Bachelor of Business Administration degree on May 24, 2017.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Quails’ Gate Winery, the experience is authentic and unique.

What is your favourite activity?
Learning and being curious.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Too many to mention!

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Meeting Dr. Heather Banham, Dean of the Okanagan School of Business. I went back to school as a mature student and within the first month I met her at a meet and greet. I shared with her that I had a passion for China and the next day she arranged for me to meet Dr. Yunke He, Professor of Finance at OC. We stayed connected and once I reached third-year standing, Dr. He arranged for me to teach Oral English at our new sister-school Linyi University in China. It was a dream come true for me to fulfill my curiosity of China, their people, their culture and formed long lasting relationships. As well, Dr. Banham recently supported my application to take part in my second exchange in France at EDHEC Business School.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When my Auntie’s and Uncle’s would spontaneously show up at our house and take my sisters and I tobogganing, to the lake or somewhere fun, the last one to the car was a rotten egg! All the rules were broken when they arrived.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
While being a full-time student I have not been able to give my time, however, when I return from France, I want to give back to future students at Okanagan College, with an extra focus on mature students. Giving back after all the direction I received when I first started and throughout my years there.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Help Millennials become Global Citizens.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Wine tasting!

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Gyro Beach.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
The fentanyl crisis, I have two friends who have lost their young sons to accidental deaths in the last two years.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Wine! It has been supported by the impacts of Okanagan College, UBCO, the City of Kelowna, the International Airport, Interior Health Authority, KGH, the technology sector and start-ups, as well as organizations such as the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society. Collaboratively working together to have built it into the world famous Wine and Tourism industry it is today.

What are 3 things on your bucket list?
1) Fly in a hot air balloon over Kelowna
2) Meet Chelsea Handler
3) Visit Bulmers Cider in England & Bulmers Irish Cider in Ireland (not to confuse the two)

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I would love to continue my education, get a Global MBA and do a third exchange.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Believing in myself.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything in my life has unfolded the way it was supposed to. My only regret was I did not get my Business Degree directly after high school. My father has three trades and my mother is a school teacher with dual degrees and a Masters. My father tried to encourage me for a higher education and my mother believes all people should have the opportunity to go to university. I had to believe in myself first.

What do you always find yourself saying?
'Eh?'

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Brett Wilson, I had front row seat to his speech at OC a couple of years ago. He intrigued me with a quote 'Charity is giving a man a fish, but Philanthropy is teaching a man how to fish.' He impacted me to be curious to create ways to help people. I was able to have a brief chat with him at the end and an autographed book, but I would love to have a full day with him.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
Not only the economic impact, but the intangible asset of forming rapport with the local business person and back into the community.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Completing my Business Degree recently!

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Both my sisters, Peggy and Andrea, they always encouraged me to keep going with school and boosted my confidence. There were lots of challenges along the way and they have been my rock and support to not give up and to remember you never know what’s around the corner. As well, they are the ones who gave me nine nieces and nephews to love!

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Marc Arellano, a Professor of Communications at Okanagan College. He is an award-winning poet and filmmaker and views film and video as opportunities for raising social issues and creating community. I have had the opportunity to be taught by many incredible professors at OC, too many to mention, but he has impacted me the most.

Some general comments I would like to share are
It’s never too late to get an education, it is something no one can take away from you. There is so much opportunity at Okanagan College. If I can do it, anyone can and I would love the opportunity to give back to those wanting more education, no matter what your age!

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.