February 7, 2022

The Central Okanagan Foundation (COF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Judy Neiser as its next Chief Executive Officer.  While her exact arrival date is not yet confirmed, it will be in the Spring.

Ms. Neiser will be relocating to Kelowna from Prince George where she was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation (2013-2022), Northern British Columbia’s largest healthcare foundation.

She also brings prior experience with community foundations having held the role of Executive Director for the Prince George Community Foundation between 2008 and 2013.  With over 14 years in the charitable sector, Ms. Neiser has a proven track record, building a deep understanding of and respect for foundations and their transformative mission within communities across the country. While at the Prince George Community Foundation, she brought together a collaboration of community foundations within the north and helped establish 14 additional community foundations in northern communities.

During her time at the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, Ms. Neiser helped the foundation dramatically improve access for Northern British Columbians to world-class diagnostic, imaging, and lab equipment as well as funding a dedicated maternal operating suite, among other notable achievements. This was done with a blend of creativity, relationship-building and strong support which she cultivated with donors and the community at large.

Ms. Neiser’s previous experience includes several years with the Northern Health corporate administration and 17 years with Canadian Forest Products.

Ms. Neiser has extensive experience in not-for-profit leadership, administration, and finance. She was CEO of the Spirit of the North Foundation for nearly a decade before joining the COF.

“The Board and Employees of Central Okanagan Foundation are thrilled to welcome Judy to our team and are confident she will make a significant positive impact in our region. We have attracted a leader with an outstanding track record of success, creativity and energy, who is focused on building a more vibrant and resilient community,” said COF Board Chair, Anita Boehm.

“I am incredibly excited for the privilege and responsibility of working with an organization that makes such an impact in the lives of so many and with donors who passionately care about the change their contributions can make,” said Ms. Neiser. “I look forward to helping the Foundation continue to grow its impact and legacy as well as that of its generous supporters.”

Our Team