Chi siamo | WHO WE ARE
kcic executive and board - 2024
Since 1966, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club has been an integral hub for the Italian Community in Kelowna. Through that time, our Executive and Board have always strived to provide a place to socially connect with others, a way to share a common heritage and a mission to contribute to the greater community.
EXECUTIVE
President – Rosann Nanci Vice-President – Cinzia Zotta Wendland Secretary – Mary Bazzana Treasurer – Graziana Hoce Past President - David Hawkins |
DIRECTORS
Josie Guarini Janet Gagnon Joe Monna Jason Agostino Andrea Meyes Ricardo Scebba |
TRUSTEES
Bianca Iafrancesco Patricia Rantucci Rhonda Ewen |
our executive
Rosann NancipresidentRosann was appointed President in December 2020 after having served as Vice President for from 2018 to 2020. She has been a Director on the Board since 2013, and has organized several of the large functions for our club including the 50th anniversary Gala weekend and New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and Dance.
Rosann was born in North Vancouver, BC and has lived in Kelowna since she moved here with her parents, and is proud to say she has been a member of KCIC since. Rosann remains committed to the promotion of Italian culture and the preservation of our heritage in our community. She encourages members of the Italian community to work together to maintain our social traditions; language, customs, and culinary arts. She believes that through interaction with each other we can promote understanding, compassion, and a joy for life that is typically the Italian way of living. |
CINZIA ZOTTA WENDLANDVICE PRESIDENTCinzia was born and raised in Squamish, BC to Italian Immigrants from Trentino Alto Adige. Her family were long standing members and active participants in the Garibaldi Italian Club in Squamish as well as the Trentino Club in Vancouver.
As a youth, she was able to attend elementary school in Italy and represent the Vancouver Trentino Club as a Youth Ambassador on two separate occasions. Being fluent in Italian, she was awarded the opportunity to work at the 2006 Turin Olympics overseeing Italian media at Canada House. Cinzia is a proud mother of three young girls and she hopes to inspire, encourage, and develop the younger generation in the Club to embrace their heritage and to seek opportunities to utilize their language and to carry the torch forward for generations to come. |
MARY BAZZANAsecretaryMary has been a Director on the Board since 2004. Key areas of focus have been Membership and Bursary, as well as her involvement in many events and activities.
Her parents were founding members, as were her other relatives, so she truly has been involved since birth, and seen the Club evolve since its inception. Mary feels a deep connection and appreciation for the customs and culture of her Italian heritage, and hopes to encourage younger generations to experience the warmth of connection, and the joy of involvement, as we together create the Club’s vibrant future. A proud Nonna, Mary lives for multi-generational gatherings of ‘Italian-style love’ in the form of fine food, family, friends, and VQA wine. |
GRAZIANA HOCETREASURERGraziana was born in Regina, Saskatchewan to Italian immigrants from Friuli. Her parents were founding members of the G. Marconi Italian Club in Regina. Graziana was involved with the Canadian Italian Club in Regina as a youth ambassador during Mosaic; a Multicultural festival celebrated every year in June. She also served as treasurer of the Italian Club in Regina as well as president of the Le Campagnole Italian Dancers in Regina.
Graziana moved to West Kelowna in 2005 with her husband Allan and children Alex, Lisa, and Eric. Soon after she became a member of the Kelowna Italian Club. Graziana has recently been active completing her degree in Business Administration and works as a Controller with a local Property Management Company. Graziana is proud of her Italian heritage and encourages the younger generation to become involved with the club to promote the Italian heritage. |
David Hawkinspast presidentDavid is in his 6th year as a member on the Board of KCIC. David was President from 2018-2020 and a member of the Board of Directors in 2017-2018 and remains on the Board as Past President.
David was born in Toronto and moved to Kelowna in 1990. He works as a Family Physician in Lake Country. He wants all generations of Italian ancestry to involved with the Club and to celebrate their Italian Heritage. He encourages the development of new ideas and club events and envisions a dynamic future while respecting and honouring the past. |
OUR BOARD
JANET GAGNON |
Josie Guarini |
JOE MONNAJoe Monna was born in Naples, Italy and immigrated to Calgary, AB Canada in 1970 at the age of 23.
He worked for the City of Calgary for 30 years (1977-2007) in maintenance and inspection. He also managed and ran his own construction business - Joe's Residential from 1972 to 2016. He retired in 2007 and enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling to Italy, Germany and New York. He relocated to Kelowna in 2016. He joined the Kelowna Italian Club in 2016 and started volunteering on and off. Joe is excited to serve as a director and he looks forward to working with fellow board members to share ideas as he learn & grows in this position. |
ANDREA MEYESAndrea's involvement in the club is anchored in memory of her Nonni, who immigrated to Canada in the 1950s to embark on the Canadian dream. Nonna and Nonno were proud Canadians, yet never forgot or lost their Italian roots; a strong pulse that remains in the family today.
Since childhood, Italian culture and heritage infused Andrea's life, whether through family, cooking, language, travel, music, or books. Her post-secondary education included a minor in Italian studies, where she further delved into the rich and often tumultuous history of Italy. Andrea is grateful to be a part of the KCIC team and its initiatives: worthy endeavours to honour, preserve, and promote the legacy of her Nonni, and so many others like them, for their descendants and community. |
Jason agostino |
RICARDO SCEBBA |