Rachel Bland

Board Chair

Rachel brings a wealth of artistic and event planning experience to the board. Having been involved in theatre and live events since high school days, she spent 15 years as a Canadian Equity Stage Manager with many productions across Canada including over 300 performances of Beauty and the Beast. Also an Event Manager, Rachel had the opportunity to be involved with the 2010 Winter Olympic Ceremonies as well as countless concerts and private events. As a child, Rachel loved to go sledding and playing hide and seek, activities which she still enjoys doing with her two young boys. Her favourite childhood entertainer is Raffi and her favourite ice cream is Maple Walnut, although she loved Tiger flavour as a kid.

Samara Bradford

Treasurer

Shelley Clarke

Director at Large

Miranda Galea

Board Member

Miranda is an HR professional currently working for Interior Health, but originally went to school to be an artist. She previously sat on the board for the Okanagan School of the Arts, and continues to dabble in various artistic endeavors - most recently she is learning stained glass. She has enjoyed attending Kidzfest with her family, ever since Flying Bob dared the tightrope in the rain during COVID. Miranda greatly admires the passion, dedication and love that goes into this event and is excited to join the board and give back. Her favourite colour is teal.

Jacki Kliever

Secretary

Jacki has wonderful memories of taking her boys to the Okanagan International Children’s Festival when they were young and is excited to now be able to give this experience to the next generation of families in our community. She brings plenty of experience in event planning, particularly with youth and children’s events. She has professional experience as a youth and children’s pastor for over 10 combined years as well as a camp leader, speaker and director. She is an active volunteer in a variety of community non-profit groups including school PAC, KISU Swim Club and Black Widow Rope Spinners. Jacki’s musical career highlights the value she places on arts in education. She is a member of the BC Registered Music Teachers and teaches piano to approximately 30 students. She has also been involved in music and performing arts as director for numerous children’s choirs and musical theatre groups. She is currently a member of the Naramata Community Choir. She grew up listening endlessly to Anne Murray’s “There’s a Hippo in my Tub” on vinyl. As a child, she loved to spend time in the kitchen baking with her mom and that has carried on into her adult life, much to her family’s delight. Her favourite ice cream is pralines and cream.

Raquel Meriam

Secretary

Raquel's professional journey includes diverse roles, from Recreation Coordinator, Events and Film with the City of Penticton, to Marketing Manager with Travel Penticton, and presently, as the Digital Marketing Manager at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. Joining the KidzFest Board, Raquel aims to contribute her expertise in marketing, social media, and website management while working alongside fellow board members to collectively shape the festival's future —an event her daughters love attending each year. While her daughters may be outgrowing it, "Little Blue Truck" remains Raquel's favourite go-to story to read.

Bryce Munro

Director at Large

Bryce Munro is a member of The International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees locals 118 and 891. Working currently as a Key Rigging Grip on feature films and TV series like Virgin River and Antlers, previously he worked on the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics and Canadian tour with American rapper Pitt Bull.

Bryce is excited to be back in Penticton and raising a family, reliving memories from his childhood and doing things he loved including bike riding, eating vanilla ice cream and hiking in the mountains. Bryce’s favorite childhood book was Dan the flying Man.

Matt Oviatt

Director at Large

Matt is a professional live event contractor and member of Iatse locals 118 & 250, and manages cycling events such as the Megavolt and the BC bike race, a 7 day mountain bike stage race, and has been technical director or production manager for many BC based companies, including Ballet BC, Theatre under the stars, the Roundhouse, URP, Savage Society, Itsazoo Productions, and Dancers of Damelahamid. He is also a key member of the operations teams for Rifflandia, Harmony Arts, and Sunfest music festivals, among others. Joining the Kidzfest board is an exciting opportunity to be a part of and help grow a vibrant arts community at home in Penticton. As a voracious reader from an early age, he couldn't be more pleased with 2024's theme. His favorite childhood book series was Redwall, by Brian Jacques.