The Kelowna Chamber is thrilled to welcome Darrien McWatters, a 2SLGBTQ+ activist and Operations Director at TIME Family of Wines, who has also been working alongside organizations such as BC Hockey, Hockey Canada, and Advocacy Canada. There she is currently developing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging programs within the hockey and sports communities.

Speaker Bio: 

Darrien McWatters discovered within herself to be transgender in 2017 at the age of 43. She came out publicly to the world in January 2018 and began her transition in late 2018.

She been involved in minor hockey both in Summerland and Penticton as a player, a coach and an official. She has played since the age of 8, and is now backstop on her women’s team, the Trash Pandas in the Kelowna Women’s league. Her belief truly is that hockey IS for everyone!

In addition to playing and officiating, she was appointed to the newly formed workgroup within BC Hockey for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging within the game, as well as assisting Hockey Canada in policy changes and developing educational programming regarding inclusion, and gender diversity and expression. Now, as a board member of Advocacy Canada, she encourages athletes of all ages and sports to continue their passion and help them find a place of belonging in whatever activity they pursue.

In the recent years, she has created a fundraiser which supports high school graduating bursaries in Penticton and Summerland awarded to identifying 2SLGTBQ+ students or allies who work towards developing a better and safer community for those who identify. This fundraiser also supports several Okanagan and Fraser Valley Youth Programs for identifying 2SLGTBQ+ youth.

She has also written a memoir of her journey, which is currently being edited for publishing.

Professionally, she has been employed in the wine industry within the Okanagan for over 20 years and is currently the Operations Manager of TIME Family of Wines Ltd. She currently is living in Summerland and is a parent to two boys in their early 20s, who also share the love of hockey with Darrien.

Registration opens at 11:30AM with the event to begin at Noon.

Purchase Deadline: Tickets MUST be purchased before NOON on Friday, June 9th

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received 4 business days prior to the event to be subject for a refund.