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Meet Barb Marcolin who was born in Penticton. Barb has lived all over BC, Ontario, and in Saint John, New Brunswick until moving to Kelowna in 2012.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My friends because they make me laugh.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Waterfront Wines Restaurant. The food is always unique, tasty and great to eat leisurely.
Describe yourself in one word.
Game-changing.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Southern Europe because it's a new adventure.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Walking around downtown.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Having my pants tucked into my socks when I went to teach. Thankfully a student told me on the way in.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Meeting athletes and Ron MacLean at the Olympics when we went to the games in Salt Lake City in 2002. We went to the athletes village with our neighbours and we still have a picture with Mario Lemieux.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Spending summers in the Okanagan and at the beach all day.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Refereeing basketball, giving back to a sport I love. I also volunteer for fundraising to build the Okanagan Rail Trail from Kelowna to Lake Country and Coldstream.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Kindness. It's contagious.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Wineries or Treehouse Interiors.
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
To see the technology industry grow, that I try to promote each week and to help students and entrepreneurs start businesses.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Progressiveness.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I have traveled the world a lot. Just went to Mexico, which was fun, so my bucket list has friend and family things on it.
1. More tours with friends
2. Visiting beds and breakfasts places
3. Spending more time on the lake.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
Spent a lot of time on a ranch.
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
What is the name of your business/organization?
University of British Columbia Okanagan and the Faculty of Management.
Why did you get into/start this business?
I was going to be an IT consultant and discovered research could help figure out what works better. It changed my life.
What is the goal of your business?
Learning, researching new evidence for what works, and giving back to my professional technology community.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Raising young adults. It is hard but rewarding.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Probably do many of the same things because I took a great path from Computer Science to management to education, while being an academic athlete so not certain I could jam more in.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Be careful what you wish for because you might get it.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Wish for the things that make you happy.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Oprah Winfrey, of course. She gives back to so many people and is so good at her work.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
To support the people around us who have great products.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
After my kids, getting my Ph.D. It changed my life so that I can help others change the world in good ways.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Mr. Shane Austin, owner Co+Labs in Kelowna. He operates a co-working space that brings tech professionals together. It's an awesome place and you should check it out.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Shane Austin and his wife Christine Simon. They have a great circle of friends and we should all hang out with them.
Some general comments I would like to share are:
Enjoy everyday by taking time for things that make you happy. We have some amazing vistas and it is refreshing to stroll around.
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.
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.
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