Chair
Brenda Ridgeley-Ketchell
![Headshot of Brenda Ridgeley](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2020-02/ridgeley_brenda.jpg?h=14bd3368&itok=nf3Z_ibv)
Over 30 years of experience in a variety of office administration roles from Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk to Office Manager having worked in the following industries: oil and gas, financial services and banking, real estate, engineering, retail and service, pulp and paper, provincial and municipal government, health care and education. Currently Department Chair with over 15 years of teaching experience in Office Administration and Accounting. I give back to the community by serving as Secretary of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter Board of Directors as well as a volunteer for the Loran Scholarship Organization. Proud to be Mi’kmaq Qalipu First Nation member.
Credentials:
Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership (Royal Roads)
Autism Spectrum Certificate (49ͼ)
Bachelor of Business Administration (49ͼ)
Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (Vancouver Community College)
Business Administration Diploma (Accounting) (Okanagan University College)
Office Administration Diploma (Cabot Institute)
Terry Becker
![terrybecker](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2021-11/terrybecker.jpg?h=199d8c1f&itok=aQSBmeN5)
Having spent over 20 years in my career as a Paralegal, where I worked in most divisions in the law firm with lawyers, administrators, and court personnel, I went back to school and focused on how I could best mentor the next generation of legal administrative professionals. I now teach and mentor legal administrative assistants and paralegals in both the substantive and transactional law classes. Combining legal technology, client management software, and the law and how to best deliver competent and legal administrative and paralegal services to the lawyers of today’s law firms and their clients.
When not teaching, you can find me camping, on walks with Lucy the rescue Schnoodle, riding the Okanagan Rail Trail, and hitting a golf ball with some flashes of adequacy! PS: An aspiring “Podcaster”!
Credentials:
Master of Education, Simon Fraser University
Bachelor of Arts, Trinity Western University
Paralegal, Capilano University (BCPA Registered Paralegal)
Diploma, Provincial Instructor, Vancouver Community College
Certificate, Organizational Coaching, University of British Columbia
Certificate, Mental Health First Aid, CMHA
Carmen Burt
![OSB - Carmen Burt](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2020-02/Burt-Carmen.jpg?h=cf7420b2&itok=1qHMqah2)
For more than twenty years, I have been an instructor for 49ͼ. My time has been spent teaching in both the online and in a face-to-face environment. My teaching experiences have been within Office Administration, Medical Assistant, and Business Administration. My focus as an instructor is to provide a supportive, positive, respectful, engaging learning environment that enhances quality of life and fosters life-long learning. I support a learning environment that focuses on problem solving and critical thinking while engaging in conversations and active listening. In my spare time, I volunteer for the local foodbank and partake in various outdoor activities.
Credentials:
Master of Education in Distance Education, Athabasca University
BC Provincial Instructors Diploma, Vancouver Community College
Administrative Admin Certificate, University College of the Cariboo
Tanya Cooke
![tanya_cooke](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2021-11/tanya_cooke_0.jpg?h=d318f057&itok=6mCU-YUU)
I have been an instructor at 49ͼ for over 10 years, teaching in the Administrative Assistant and Accounting/Bookkeeping Certificate programs. My earliest experiences in education involved one-on-one support for school-aged children, developing and implementing individualized learning strategies and adaptations to help students reach their educational and social goals.
Prior to teaching I spent 20+ years in administrative and accounting roles within a variety of industries: banking, real estate, insurance, sports & entertainment, event administration, customer service, and travel. The majority of this time I held a corporate level accounting position with responsibilities ranging from payroll management, accounts payable/receivable, financial statement analysis and reconciliations.
I am extremely grateful for my career as an instructor, striving to create a positive learning environment where I can inspire, encourage, and guide students to achieve their goals and experience success!
In my down time I enjoy hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, or riding my motorcycle!
Credentials:
Business Administration Certificate (Accounting Specialty) – 49ͼ
Provincial Instructor Diploma – Vancouver Community College
Learner Centred Instruction Certificate – 49ͼ
Certified Education Assistant– Okanagan University College
Lori Cross
Rhonda Darbyson
![rhonda_darbyson_2](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2021-11/rhonda_darbyson_2_0.jpg?h=f0cb9e1d&itok=p-KaaEaX)
I have spent 25+ years in the business sector both as an employee and small business owner of retail and service companies. During this time, I have had the opportunity to bookkeep and consult for a wide range of clients including sole proprietorships and corporations. For the past 12+ years, I have been an instructor for 49ͼ in Continuing Studies and Office Admin. I really enjoy working with students to fulfill their own dreams in pursuing a new career. I live in Blind Bay on Shuswap Lake and enjoy camping, biking, hiking, boating, and skiing with my family.
Credentials:
Master of Arts in Learning & Technology, Royal Roads University
Diploma of Business Administration (Accounting), 49ͼ
Certificate in Learner Centred Instruction, 49ͼ
Provincial Instructor’s Diploma, Vancouver Community College
Certificate in Office Administration, 49ͼ
Nicole Davis
Katerina Hay
Dawn Nolt
Cristina Phillips
Lucy Ryga
![Learning Centre - Lucy Ryga](/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_profile/public/2020-02/Ryga_Lucy.jpg?h=ce64be29&itok=4_nWH1RU)
As a former operations and office manager and business owner, I have had the opportunity to see the evolution of office administration in a variety of settings from large-scale corporations to start-up tech companies. Using this experience, my goal is to facilitate learning and higher education in office administration, leadership, computer software, and business by incorporating real-world applications. For over 15 years I have been an adult educator in these disciplines, and seek to help learners acquire the technical tools and critical thinking skills they will need to thrive in business and in life. When I am not on campus, you will find me with family, on the lake, in the outdoors, and on the ski hill.
Credentials:
Learner Centered Instructor Certificate | 49ͼ
Train the Trainer Certificate, School of Instructor Education |Vancouver Community College
Train the Trainer Certificate | United Way of Canada
Microsoft Certified Specialist
Associate of Arts Degree | University of British Columbia