The Central Okanagan Foundation has a new executive director.

鈥淚 am excited to join the dynamic team of the Central Okanagan Foundation and continue to empower community to create change through philanthropy,鈥� said Kristine Bugayong, the new executive director.

Bugayong immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2003. She worked as an activist for a variety of causes in the Philippines and then worked with the Red Deer and District Community Foundation as the Grants Coordinator and then the Chief Executive Officer for over six years.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Audio Visual Communications as well as a Master of Arts in Women and Development Studies from the University of Philippines.

鈥淲e are confident Kristine will enhance the foundation鈥檚 excellent reputation as trusted steward of funds and advance our goals to address community needs in the Central Okanagan,鈥� said the Central Okanagan Foundation board staff in a press release.

The Central Okanagan Foundation manages endowment funds, which are donations that are pooled and invested. The investment income is then distributed as grants to local charitable organizations. The foundation鈥檚 mission is to contribute elevating the quality of life in the Central Okanagan. The organization is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a tax-exempt public foundation.

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