The Kelowna Chamber’s Top 40 Program has returned for 2024. The program recognizes and honours individuals in the community who take leadership, philanthropy, and business to the next level.
Honouree: Jean-Pierre Letnick
Sage Executive Group – Letnick Estates
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Jean-Pierre (JP) Letnick is a real estate agent with Sage Executive Group – Letnick Estates and holds a Diploma in Business Administration.
He works within the industry as an advocate for real estate policy and has been ranked among the top 10 real estate agents in Kelowna.
JP is a member of a non-profit group working for B.C. resident’s property rights relating to legal short-term rentals for specifically zoned and purpose-built buildings in Kelowna.
Among his team, JP is driven, self motivated and calm. He believes everyone is starting from somewhere, and his job is to help guide people on their journey.
If someone makes a mistake, he acknowledges their attempts and helps them learn.
JP’s most memorable achievement is his family, continuing to improve the lives of his family and others around them.
Giving back to the community has always been something JP’s parents taught him from a young age – in school, he would volunteer at the Gospel Soup Kitchen.
He donates time and money to the Cancer Foundation and Brain Trust, volunteers on the board of directors for the Kelowna Lake Country MLA, and a non-profit housing organization. JP also mentors high school students on business skills and start-ups.
Honouree: Amanda McFarlane
Brain Trust Canada Association
“My goal is to leave this world better than it was when I arrived. That’s what living a meaningful life means to me.”
Amanda McFarlane is the executive director of BrainTrust Canada, a non-profit organization providing direct service to persons with acquired brain injury.
Amanda has a background in health care settings and has participated in more than 100 workshops and training courses.
Amanda’s education centres around indigenous reconciliation and practice, highlighting a sensitivity to the unique needs of diverse populations.
Amanda’s leadership style is demonstrated through a deep empathy and an innovative spirit.
As part of her work with BrainTrust, Amanda founded the Brain Injury Crime Prevention Program in Canada, a groundbreaking initiative focused on assisting individuals with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) within the correctional system. She has also been instrumental in the design and delivery of brain injury-specific counseling services and BISEY Brain Injury Substance Use presentations.
One of Amanda’s most memorable achievements was journeying to Ottawa to join brain injury representatives from each province advocated for a national brain injury strategy in the House of Commons. She volunteers in the community, from wildfire relief efforts to coordinating an annual conference for collaborative discussions on system change and brain injury. Amanda is a founding partner of Kelowna’s Integrated Court.