Top 20 Honoree: Kristine Wickner

Small City, Big Passion

Top 20 Under 40 Honoree, Kristine Wickner, is a passionate political activist and community change maker.

It was nearly 10 years ago when Kristine found herself a resident of Salmon Arm. After growing up in New Brunswick, Kristine graduated and began a country-wide adventure of post-secondary education and exciting career opportunities. When her previous work position required her to permanently move out west, she selected Salmon Arm on the advice of a friend. Her east coast roots felt right at home in this tight-knit community, and she has been impacting the area ever since.

For the past five years Kristine has worked with Okanagan College in recruitment and marketing. A dynamic leader, Kristine promotes the area to neighbouring high school graduates and those looking to upgrade and explains the benefits of continuing education right here in Salmon Arm before moving. Kristine understands the value of cultivating relationships and encourages students to genuinely appreciate what Salmon Arm has to offer.

As impactful as her career is, it doesn’t hold Kristine back from advocacy in a myriad of other ways within the community. As president of the Shuswap NDP, the electoral district association representing local residents to the provincial NDP party, her role facilitates engagement with members to put forward a policy that matters. She has held this role for several years and currently sits on the NDP federal council as well.

Kristine’s passion for politics comes from a deeply held belief in the need for climate and social justice. She wants a better world not just for her own two children, but for all. Our climate crisis and growing wealth inequalities need to be addressed now. There is no infinite timeline to right the ship, so she works tirelessly to lobby the government for change.

Balancing the responsibility of motherhood and a career is different for everyone, and for Kristine that has come from letting go of the wildly unrealistic expectation that she needs to do it all without help. With partner and family support and prioritizing those tasks which contribute vitality, connection and contribution, she has found a way to balance needs, ask for and receive help, and have the energy to give so much to others.

When looking to the future, Kristine won’t be stepping away from helping others anytime soon. She has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and will be starting a support group for fellow moms with neurodivergency in the near future. She hopes to provide a safe space for other moms to learn and get support. And next fall, watch for her name on the ballot as she makes a run for Salmon Arm city council.

Congratulation, Kristine!