Meet Kate! Kate enjoys travelling and spending time with her husband!
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I grew up in Edmonton and initially moved to Kelowna in 2002. I returned to Alberta for a few years and lived and worked in Calgary before reclocating back Kelowna in 2014.
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, Justin Dalton. I didn't expect to meet someone I would want to hang out with for the rest of my life and he was a pleasant surprise.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Mosaic Books- I'm a sucker for their bargain book bin at the back of the store and the staff are great.
Describe yourself in one word.
Open.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
I love to travel to places that are rich in culture and history and for that reason I would like to visit Israel.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Local theater and performances at the Kelowna Actors Studio, Black Box Theatre, or Kelowna Community Theatre.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I'm not very easily embarrassed but there was a time when I tripped over a mop bucket in a food court and dumped my tray of food (including ketchup) all over a poor, unsuspecting mall patron. Very cringe worthy...
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
People in my inner circle or that I have met throughout my life that have been through harrowing experiences and still continue to move forward, find success, have a positive attitude and the ability to reach beyond their own struggles to help others- that is inspiring to me.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Going to Disney World with my family and watching a performance of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast- maybe that's where my love live theatre started?
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
My husband is very involved in the community so I piggyback off of his good deeds and have volunteered time and donations with him to local political and community campaigns, as well as volunteering with our church. The team I work with at Platinum Recruiting also gives back through initiatives with the local food bank, BrainTrust, and other partnerships that arise each year.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
There are so many people suffering in so many ways but I would start with ensuring everyone had a place to call home that they felt safe in.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
In warmer weather, I like to hike up to Knox mountain. In winter, it's nice to enjoy a latte at a local spot like Bean Scene.
Where would you like to see a positive change in Kelowna and why?
Working in recruiting, I'd like to abolish this notion that because Kelowna is a beautiful place to live, employees should expect to take a hit on their wages or expect lower salaries. While there are many economic factors to consider, I think hard work is hard work and people should receive fair wages no matter where they live.
What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It has a small town feel with the amenities of a larger city. Going to community and business events, you tend to see a lot of familiar faces and there are a lot of people who want to contribute and collaborate to make Kelowna an even better place to live.
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
Travel to as many countries as I can in my lifetime, meet Oprah, write a book.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I met my husband on a blind date- our mutual friends set us up and 9 months later we got married!
How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katedaltonylw/
What is the name of your business/organization?
Platinum Recruiting
Why did you get into this business?
My belief in the importance of creating a healthy corporate culture and in treating staff as an employer’s greatest asset has led me to join the team at Platinum Recruiting as a Recruitment Consultant. It's satisfying to match a job seeker to a role they can thrive in and it's fun to see people excited about their career- we spend so much time at work, it's great if you can enjoy it.
What is the goal of your business?
We connect top talent to employer's looking to fill openings in their companies, whether it be entry level or management/director in any industry, we do it all and make the process as simple and streamlined as we can for both our candidates and clients.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
Finding balance, particularly throughout my career. I hold myself to a high standard but there is only so much within your control and I try to remind myself to take things a day at a time and to see the big picture.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Everything I have been through, for better or worse, has led me to where I am today in my personal life and my career and has taught me lessons and provided valuable experiences so I wouldn't change the past.
What do you always find yourself saying? / What is your best piece of life advice?
You do you...
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Oprah- she has met and interviewed so many iconic people, and is a wealth of wisdom herself, so by talking to her it would be like learning from all of the people she has met as well. I would also love to meet Brene Brown- love her research, books and TED Talk.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's a big risk to start a business and compete with large corporations so I think we should support the brave people who do.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Transitioning out of a marketing/communications background to recruiting/human resources. It was something I had in the back of my mind for years and felt connected to and I am grateful to have been able to make that leap and join a great team.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Erin Jones- they say you can't "do it all", but somehow she does as an accomplished career woman, wife, mother, and much more. I greatly admire her.
My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Erin Jones
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!
