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Directors chosen

The International Women’s Education Network chose Tamara McLellan and Kate Phelps in Kelowna
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Tamara McLellan - Credit: Contributed

The International Women’s Education Network has made a decision on its future leadership.

The IWEN Canada board of directors unanimously supported the transition of two of their current board members, vice-president Tamara McLellan and director of programs Kate Phelps, into a shared collaborative co-executive director leadership model.

“These two women bring a solid history of dynamic leadership and complementary skills and experience. We are excited to have two women who are completely devoted to creating opportunities for marginalized women and girls working together for a brighter future,” said President Kevin Edgecombe.

McLellan brings to the co-leadership position ten years of work in the marketing and non-profit industries. She resigned as the director of marketing of FineLine Solutions to accept the position; an organization that did fundraising and donor engagement for non-profits across North America.

Over the past ten years she has traveled and volunteered in Africa, India, and Central America and has held positions on various boards and steering committees, most recently co-founding the Global Empowerment Coalition of the Central Okanagan.

Phelps joined the IWEN board in 2011, making her one of the longest-standing board members. Originally from Winnipeg, Phelps has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. She pulls together a diverse fifteen-year professional background in banking, management, and the international development sector.

Phelps has worked for the Royal Bank of Canada, the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Commission, as well as several research, empowerment, and advocacy groups.

The co-executive directors will share overall strategic and many day-to-day operational responsibilities for IWEN. McLellan focuses primarily on fundraising and communications, while Phelps is responsible for program development and oversight, as well as policy execution.

McLellan and Phelps assumed their new roles in early May.

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Kate Phelps - Credit: Contributed