Program Board of Directors
Behind the scenes, our board of directors works to support the team, provide guidance and coordinate events.
Iona Welder
Program Coordinator
Iona was born in Kitimat, British Columbia, and moved to the Okanagan with her parents where she completed high school. She was a candidate in the Kelowna Lady of the Lake Pageant and the following year won the Miss Westbank Pageant. She stayed on working with the organizers and eventually became the coordinator.
The program grew and became the Miss Westbank Community Ambassador program. Iona was the president for over 10 years. She enjoyed working with teens and being involved in her local community and their yearly Westside Daze Festival.
Iona moved from the Okanagan in 1996 with her husband and three young sons. Her sons were involved in competitive baseball so she spent a lot of time at the ballpark. She volunteered her time as Secretary of Whalley Little League. She says she was blessed to have experienced her sons having the opportunity to play in the Little League World Series at the Junior, Senior, and Big League levels. Her youngest son is a former member of the White Rock Tritons.
Now that all three of her sons are married and have families Iona feels it is time to get back into the community, give back, and volunteer. Iona was encouraged by her husband, Paul so she sought out the White Rock Ambassadors because she believes in the program and was inspired by the history of the White Rock program. She feels that today more than ever youth need the opportunity to experience mentorship, volunteering, travel to develop their leadership skills and sense of community.
Iona enjoys working with the youth in White Rock in keeping with tradition and the program’s mandate.
