Familiar Face Named Executive Director of Non-Profit Organization

The Kelowna Innovation Society (KIS) has announced that a familiar face will be the inaugural executive director of the organization.

Kelowna Entrepreneur and businessman Donnie Ungaro will report to the board in his new position effective December 1^st. KIS is a government funded not-for-profit organization that works to drive economic growth in the area. With an eye on entrepreneurs looking to start innovative, creative, and technology-focused businesses, KIS is looking to establish the region as the best place for technology in the region.

One of the key initiatives for KIS is the development and operation of the brand new Okanagan Centre for Innovation, which is currently being constructed in downtown Kelowna.

“We are thrilled to welcome Donnie to the position of Executive Director for KIS. He is well known and respected in the region as a community builder that has been successful through collaborative leadership, active engagement and entrepreneurial spirit, a perfect fit for this role,” said Jeff Keen, Director and Vice President of KIS.

Ungaro brings award-winning experience to KIS having led the Okanagan Young Professionals initiative for the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) for the past three years. The program recently won both the Provincial and National Economic Development Program of the Year. Ungaro is also a seasoned entrepreneur having run his own company, Culinary Ink GastroVentures LTD for the past eight years.