Board Members
Meet Our Board
Lee Ann McEllister
Board Chair
Lee-Ann is the Associate Director of Sales, Western Canada for MCAP and Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.
She proudly leads a team of dedicated Business Development Managers, supporting them to make an impact and help mortgage broker partners grow their business.
In 2020 and 2022, she was named Woman of Influence by Canadian Mortgage Professionals and dedicates her time and energy as Vice-Chair on the board of BC Lenders Group Association and Secretary of the Mortgage Broker Institute of Canada (MBIBC). She works closely with Habitat for Humanity on their Family Selection Team and is passionate about providing a hand-up to families in her community.
Lee-Ann is grateful to be part of the financial industry for the past 16 years and thinks that home ownership is not only a keystone of wealth but also provides emotional security.
Amber Donaldson
Vice Chair
Amber is a Chartered Professional Accountant with a diverse career ranging from manufacturing, non-profit, and local government. Amber has a passion for working with charity organizations and is excited about being part of an organization that supports affordable housing in our community.
Julie Pellizzari
Treasurer
Julie Pellizzari joined the Habitat for Humanity Okanagan board in the Fall of 2020. She is a certified Quality Management professional with progressive experience in process development, continuous improvement, auditing, and project management.
As a newly appointed member of the board, she looks forward to being part of this dedicated leadership team committed to supporting the mission, goals and growth of HFHO – ensuring the opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people in our community.
Rebecca (Becky) Logan
Director
Becky Logan joined the Habitat for Humanity Okanagan board in June 2019. Originally, from the UK, Becky and her family immigrated to Canada in 2007. Her career in the UK was in retail management. After moving to Canada, she moved into the financial industry and now works as a mobile mortgage specialist for a local credit union. Having a connection to home ownership and joining Habitat, an organization that shares the same principles, felt like the right fit for her.
She is excited to be joining a group of people passionate about making a difference to families live in their community and around the world.
James Kay
Director
James Kay is a Professional Engineer who has been designing, administering and approving land development and municipal engineering projects across Canada since 2001, including municipal works, subdivisions, townhouses, commercial plazas, industrial and institutional projects. He has served in the public sector with three different municipalities, private sector as a developer, builder, and consulting civil engineer. James has had the opportunity to teach engineering at both UBCO and OC, is very active in the Advisory Committees at both schools, and has served on boards of the Association of Consulting Engineers of BC, Urban Development Institute – Okanagan, Canadian Home Builders – Central Okanagan, Rotary Club of Kelowna, and Silver Lake Forest Education Society. James moved to the Okanagan in 2011 with his wife Julie and children Ashley and Hunter, and has volunteered his services for the HFHO Powley Townhouse Project since 2017, and served on the Build Committee since 2020.
Glory Westwell
Director
Glory has been a dedicated member of the Vernon community since 1991. As a mother of four and grandmother to five, family and community have always been at the heart of her work. Alongside her husband, she ran a successful business in Vernon for many years.
Glory has been involved with Habitat for Humanity Okanagan since its early days in the 1990s and played a key role in two local builds that provided homes for four families. Her passion for affordable housing led her to organize numerous fundraising initiatives, including bottle drives and Oktoberfest events, to support Habitat’s mission. A long-time board member, Glory continues to bring her experience, dedication, and heart to helping families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.
Jude Brunt
Director
Jude brings over 14 years of experience as an entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry, along with a passion for social impact. Since April 2020, she has served as an Entrepreneur in Residence with Purppl, supporting purpose-driven businesses and organizations.
Beyond her business ventures, Jude has been deeply involved in fund development and community engagement, working with major non-profits in both the UK and Canada. Her dedication to building stronger communities aligns with Habitat for Humanity Okanagan’s mission, and she is committed to helping families achieve stability through affordable homeownership.
Nathan Hayward
Director
Nathan is a dedicated community builder with a strong background in fundraising, development, and mental health accessibility. Born and raised in the Okanagan, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Counselling and has spent his career working with charities, nonprofits, and school districts in Kelowna to strengthen community support networks.
With a passion for creating meaningful connections, Nathan has seen firsthand the impact that accessible services can have on individuals and families. As a Habitat for Humanity Okanagan board member, he is committed to fostering partnerships that support affordable housing and create lasting change in the community.
Dan Winer
Director
Dan leads Small Housing BC with a focus on gentle density, helping communities create more affordable, ground-oriented homes. He brings a strong background in non-profit leadership, housing advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Dan previously served as Executive Director of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Central Okanagan and is passionate about unlocking practical housing solutions for families across B.C.