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 – Missy MacKintosh
MisMacK Clean Cosmetics Inc, Founder/CEO
“Makeup does not define you, it’s merely a tool of empowerment.”
Missy MacKintosh is a freelance makeup artist and the founder and CEO of MisMacK Clean Cosmetics, Canada’s first ‘clean’ line of professional beauty products. Her work as garnered widespread recognition, from Huffpost to Cosmopolitan. Missy identified a lack of Canadian-made, toxic-free, professional-grade clean beauty line. From the basement of her Salmon Arm home, she worked with two chemists to develop products and launched MisMacK. There are now three stores under the MisMacK brand: Salmon Arm, Victoria, and Kelowna.
Beyond contributing to the local economy, Missy’s impact resonates through creating employment opportunities in the community while her concept stores facilitate learning in a safe environment. She collaborates with the Pride Society and provides services to organizations such as Dress for Success, supporting individuals in their professional journeys. Workshops at MisMacK’s studios focus on self- esteem, safe makeup application, and clean beauty benefits. One personal is “Patty Mae”, a lipstick inspired by Missy’s 96-year-old grandmother; $5 from every lipstick purchase supports Habitat for Humanity Okanagan.
One of Missy’s most memorable achievements is recognizing the profound impact made by her role in someone else’s journey. Missy’s first hire for MisMacK is now the Store Director of the Salmon Arm location; being able to create a positive work environment for her employee to find personal transformation has been one of the most significant achievements in Missy’s entrepreneurial journey.
Honouree – Lauren Airth
UBC’s Harm Reduction Team (HaRT)
“If you knew how unreasonably sick people suffer from reasonable causes of distress, you would take more pains about all these things.” - Florence Nightingale
Lauren Airth is a pivotal part of UBC’s Harm Reduction Team (HaRT) and holds a clinical teaching position at UBCO. While completing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Lauren founded a mental health advocacy club and supported local high schools to establish similar clubs while also facilitating national mental health summits. She is passionate about mentoring other nurses and pursuing research that can positively change our healthcare system.
HaRT is a direct result of Lauren’s PhD research, and as co-founder she helps to provide education and resources in healthcare and social contexts to reduce substance use harms for campus and Kelowna community members. Part of Lauren’s leadership style is rooted in truth and reconciliation as she aims to deconstruct colonial systems through culturally informed, reciprocal relationships. Operating a team that acknowledges these harms allows team members to identify gaps in their knowledge, and she works to support these gaps through partnerships with UBCO’s psychology department.
Lauren assisted the Mental Health Commission of Canada to develop a report on the impacts of COVID- 19 on rural and remote mental health and substance use, culminating in an international webinar on rural mental health. Through Jack.org, she facilitated mental health conferences for youth and young adults. Lauren also provides harm reduction services provincially at music festivals, shares queer harm reduction resources during Kelowna Pride, and has served on a working group with Kelowna Pride and the RCMP to determine how to establish safe space designations for Kelowna businesses.
Honouree – Jonathan Palmer
Extropic Energy Inc.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Edison.
Jonathan Palmer is an entrepreneur, business leader, and Professional Engineer with experience in renewable energy and power grids across Western Canada. He is the founder and CEO of Extropic Energy Inc. engineering firm in Kelowna, and co-founder and Vice President of renewable energy design-build company Aurora Renewables GP Inc. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering and MBA.
As an engineer, he is passionate about bringing creative energy modernization solutions to communities and organizations. He has worked as a consultant for most major electric utilities across Western Canada, plus dozens of land developers, municipalities, universities, and businesses. A Senior Member of the IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization, Jonathan is a long-time volunteer. He has volunteered with local and international charity organizations, including developing a master plan as part of a multi-discipline team for the Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi, Africa.
Through Extropic Energy, Jonathan developments and implements holistic energy roadmaps for communities, universities, businesses, schools, and other organizations from designing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to mission-critical power systems and renewable energy projects. Aurora Renewables GP Inc. is an Indigenous majority-owned company that leverages Extropic Energy’s technical capabilities to design, build and manage renewable energy projects like solar and battery energy storage systems. Aurora strives to create significant positive benefits for local communities through renewable energy projects while creating careers and opportunities in the renewable sector for Indigenous people.
Honouree– Samantha Wedlund Success
21 Hair Extensions
“Find your passion and make it your destiny”
Samantha Wedlund is the founder and leader of Success21 Salon. For her, the salon is about fostering a transformative journey for clients and staff, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, and understanding individual needs. The salon is the embodiment of Samantha’s dreams and collective aspirations of those they connect with through services and community engagement.
Through initiatives like the Vision Board Brunch, Samantha aims to inspire and empower others. The event is a reflection of her and her team’s belief in the transformative power of shared aspirations and the importance of a supportive community. Her goals are to uplift spirits and nurture self-discovery. Samantha volunteers with the Karis Society to provide support to women recovering from addiction and mental health challenges, as well as with Mamas for Mamas where she assists mother and caregivers in crisis. Both are organizations that deeply resonate with her and the team’s values.
The founding and growth of Success21 Salon has been a significant professional milestone for Samantha, transforming a small salon in her living room into a celebrated establishment in Orchard Park Mall. But her most cherished accomplishments extend beyond the professional world. Becoming a mother and wife have infused her life with a deeper meaning and purpose, and balancing the roles of business owner with mother and partner is a fulfilling and challenging journey.
