By Mike Straus
Diane Entwistle was named a Capital News鈥� Community Leader of the Year in the Above and Beyond category at the , held at Okanagan College, Oct. 23, 2017. The Community Leader Awards are given to local members of the community who demonstrate exceptional commitment and leadership.
As the CEO of the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club Diane Entwistle has committed to a life of helping youth and families.
Entwistle has been the organization鈥檚 CEO since 2014, after spending 10 years as the club鈥檚 director of operations. But she鈥檚 been working with the Boys and Girls Club for much longer.
鈥淚 started with the club in 1989, when we had just moved to 91大黄鸭,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was at home with a small child and wanted to work part-time. I answered an ad in the newspaper, and started with the club.鈥�
Entwistle had worked with several recreation-oriented organizations in the past, but she chose to work with the Boys & Girls Club because it鈥檚 recreation with a purpose.
鈥淚 passionately believe in our vision that all kids can grow to be healthy, happy, active participants in society. For some kids that path is tough, and I feel fortunate to be able to make a difference. That鈥檚 why I鈥檝e been here for 29 years,鈥� she said.
Entwistle was nominated for the award by the Okanagan Boys & Girls Club leadership team, who highlight her commitment to local youth and families. Entwistle is always the first person to arrive in the office in the morning and the last person to leave at the end of the day, and despite her large workload, she maintains an open-door policy with her 300-plus staff.
But her first thought on her time with the organization isn鈥檛 the workload. It鈥檚 the people.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to see our staff develop into leaders, and to see children grow up to be happy, healthy, successful adults. These are the things that make us proud of our work.鈥�
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