A strong community can promote new ideas and ensure accountability. It can also act as motivation, support, and even provide a little friendly competition. The power of community is undeniable and the Okanagan tech community is no exception.

Our community is strong and growing with record speed and maintaining connection through a period of growth like this can be a challenge. Nobody panic, we’ve got a plan.  

Introducing, The Faces of #OKGNtech. A showcase of Okanagan tech entrepreneurs, partners, supporters, and cheerleaders designed to fuel more connection, more growth, and more excitement. Follow along (on the blog and on Instagram @OKGNtech) to learn more about our growing community and what makes them awesome.

Meet Sonja. Sonja Lee is the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Bananatag. When Sonja isn’t planning team lunches or taking care of business at the office you can find her meal prepping, hosting dinner parties, or hanging out with her cat Nora. We recently caught up with Sonja to learn more about her role at Bananatag and what she loves about the Okanagan. 

What’s your favourite about your role at Bananatag? 

“I love having my hands full. I am doing something new every day at Bananatag and that’s probably my favourite thing about my job. This role continuously builds on my skill repertoire and ultimately my career capital.” #allthethings

What’s one word that you would use to describe yourself and why? 

“I was going to say firecracker is the best word to describe me but firecrackers are linear. I am more of a circular wheel that just keeps spinning and doesn’t stop. That’s how my brain operates” #cantstopwontstop

What’s it like being Executive Assistant to the CEO? 

“I really appreciate Corey Wagner’s management style. It’s completely results based, so you could come into work wearing pj’s and as long as you have amazing numbers and results, no one is going to question you. Corey completely trusts and believes in his team, which is an amazing environment to come into every day and I’m super thankful for being along for the ride..”

Do you have a piece advice you’d like to share with us?

“Comfort is the enemy of progress. I think it’s important to get out of your comfort zone, I really emphasize the power of vulnerability. I’ve been watching and reading Brené Brown who speaks about that. I think it’s an important lesson to learn and carry throughout your life, It’s definitely something I try to be mindful of”

[Editor’s Note: Sonja recommends Brené Brown’s Vulnerability Speech on YouTube]

“Because I am such a fast-paced person I was once told by someone to slow down in order to speed up. That totally stuck with me. I need to focus on quality over quantity and efficiency over speed.”

What do you love about #OKGNtech? 

“The tech industry here in the Okanagan is like a quilt—it’s made up of people from all walks of life. It’s not just about developers, like most people would imagine. It’s made up of a variety of fields which I think is really cool.”

What do you love about the Okanagan?

“I feel like we are kind of living in this era of seclusion. People are kind of losing sight of the fact that people need people. In most bigger cities you can no longer go next door to your neighbour’s house for sugar. I love the sense and feel of community here in the Okanagan. It’s nice to be connected to people.”

What would you like to be remembered for? 

“Something I’d like to be remembered for? Comic relief. Really the ability to turn peoples frowns upside down.”

Connect with Sonja. Learn more about Bananatag. Hungry for more? Meet David. 

Have you seen the rest of the OKGNtech faces?

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