Okanagan
Event Team
Chantelle Froats
Host
Lives in
-
Motto
- Hard things become fun things!
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Event Services
Mireille Sauve
Host
Lives in
-
Motto
- Ooh la la! 🥂
Hobbies
- Wine
Profession
- Also wine 🍷🍷
Yvonne Turgeon
Host
Lives in
-
Motto
- Work at what you love
Hobbies
- Wine
Profession
- wine writer, magazine publisher
Brittany Jones
Head Leader
Lives in
- Armstrong
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Hiking
Profession
- Event Coordination
Zina Acherir
Group Leader
Lives in
- Montreal
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Dave Beeson
Group Leader
Lives in
- West Kelowna
Motto
- Carpe Diem
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- REAL ESTATE
Jody Gorski
Group Leader
Lives in
- Peachland
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Marketing, DTC & Club Manager
Britt Jones
Group Leader
Lives in
- Okanagan
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
-
Andrea Mckinlay
Group Leader
Lives in
- West Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Golf
Profession
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
Jasmine Ostopowich
Group Leader
Lives in
- W.Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
-
Inna Pankrateva
Group Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
- Life is worth living
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- landscape architectural consultant
Jennifer Scudds
Group Leader
Lives in
- West Kelowna
Motto
- And though she be but little, she is fierce.
Hobbies
- Running
Profession
- Sommelier
Lindsay Bolton
Table Leader
Lives in
- Peachland
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Sports
Profession
- Investigator Provincial Government
Ingrid Carter
Table Leader
Lives in
- Summerland
Motto
- Your fun is what you make it!
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retired
Arleen Dooley
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
- Make the most of each day
Hobbies
- Cooking
Profession
- Retired / Event Coordinator
Debbie Duncan
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
-
Laurianne L
Table Leader
Lives in
- Naramata
Motto
- Sab Kuch Milega
Hobbies
- Yoga
Profession
- Educator
Sarah Lefebvre
Table Leader
Lives in
- Oliver
Motto
- Innovation, Empowerment, and Growth—Through Interactions and Community
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Business Owner
Deborah Lennie
Table Leader
Lives in
- West Kelowna
Motto
- Learn something new every day. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Be kind.
Hobbies
- Eating
Profession
- Retired wine expert
Karin Massar
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
- live, laugh, love
Hobbies
- Yoga
Profession
-
Lynn Mathers
Table Leader
Lives in
- West Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Traveling
Profession
- Retired
Irina Mierzewski
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
- Music
Profession
- realtor
Caroline Radics
Table Leader
Lives in
- Verrnon
Motto
- Live Love Laugh
Hobbies
- Gardening
Profession
- Financial Advisor
Chantal Sayde
Table Leader
Lives in
- calgary
Motto
- Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
Hobbies
- Dancing
Profession
-
Susannah-Joy (SJ) Schuilenberg
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
- Happiness is wine & a good book.
Hobbies
- Reading
Profession
- Mental Health
Tea White
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kelowna
Motto
-
Hobbies
-
Profession
- Office coordinator/office health and safety
Lisa Williams
Table Leader
Lives in
- Kamloops
Motto
- L.I.F.E. Living In Fullness Everyday
Hobbies
- Yoga
Profession
- Controller
International team
Sandy Safi
Chief Executive Officer
Having started her career onstage in the performing arts, Sandy's love of the entertainment sector brought her to work in special events in 15 countries over the years. She has developed and managed large-scale concerts in Dubai, worked in the Opera world at prestigious locations such as the Los Angeles Opera, the Casino de Paris, and Barcelona's Gran Teatre del Liceu, and finally started her adventure with Diner en Blanc in 2011, when she applied her network and her experience to facilitate the first American Diner en Blanc in New York. She co-founded Diner en Blanc International in 2012, and then became the sole owner of the Diner en Blanc trademark and company in 2022. Above all, Sandy seeks to encourage creativity and connect culinary communities around the world.
Chantal Blanchard
Public Relations Specialist
As a publicist in the world of entertainment, Chantal was fortunate enough to travel the world for many years with Cirque du Soleil. Those amazing years on the road gave her the opportunity to somewhat satisfy her thirst for everything that is lifestyle i.e. food, wine, cocktails, fashion, urban life, architecture, design, etc. As Chantal would say “this career path and passion for all that is good in life predestined her to join the team of Diner en Blanc International.
Lucia Sacco
Accounting & HR
Lucia brings over 2 decades of administrative and accounting experience to Diner en Blanc International. She has worked in the event planning industry since 2007 whereby she occupied the position of Accounting Director and Office Manager. “I feel blessed to be able to combine my organizational skills and passion for bringing events to life towards a career at Diner en Blanc International,” says Lucia. Her interpersonal skills are an asset when communicating with hosts and dealing with accounting specialists or government offices, all the while maintaining a high level of integrity.
Zina Acherir
Project Manager
Zina is a passionate and creative professional with concrete organizational and planning skills. Her educational background in event management allows her to innovate, communicate and visually translate ideas and visions to memorable experiences. Zina enjoys networking, planning, and travelling. "Working at Diner en Blanc International allows me to practice my passion on a daily basis and gives me the opportunity to meet amazing hosts all around the world, which also gives me the advantage of learning about different cultures and how other cities manage events."
Jennifer Soto
Project Manager
Jennifer’s experience in management in the education sector gives her the perfect balance of leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. She loves working with hosts around the world, helping them plan their events in an organized and timely manner, while showing empathy and understanding of each city’s differences and needs. “I feel privileged to work with the team of Diner En Blanc International and be surrounded by culture, diversity, food, music, and friendship.”
Fiorella Arbanil
Client Relations & Business Development
With over two decades of service in customer relations and twelve years of sales experience, Fiorella brings a wealth of expertise to her current role in Client Relations and Business Development. It is her mission to identify and secure hosts to produce Le Diner en Blanc events in cities worldwide. With a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, and social media management, she has cultivated a strong foundation for driving strategic growth and fostering enduring client partnerships, and she is committed to expanding the reach and impact of Diner en Blanc globally.
Axelle Pierresteguy
IT Support & Project Manager
Axelle is a dynamic and youthful employee who has brought fresh and innovative ideas to the success of Le Diner en Blanc over the past few years. With a forward-thinking mindset and a talent for finding creative solutions, Axelle brings a vibrant energy to her work. She has always had a passion for the arts, including music, dance, theater, and filmmaking. Once she realized she could combine her love for the arts with her skills in managing and creating, she knew that the event-planning world was the perfect fit for her.
David Gallego
Full Stack Developer
David is a passionate software developer who brings creativity and dedication to every project. He believes that helping others meet their goals is how we drive innovation and create meaningful change. He also possesses the ability to adapt to different situations and offer a unique perspective which enriches discussions and fosters a culture of creative problem-solving.
