In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.
What is your name?
Cathleen Loge
Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I'm from "out east" originally, but can't imagine home being anywhere but here – since 1998!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband, because he is and always will be my best friend!
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
East Africa – where my work and my efforts have the biggest impact – and where life is simpler in many ways.
What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
I don't think I really have one, but many of our little boutiques are great places for finding great gifts and made-in-the-Okanagan crafts.
What is your favourite activity?
We have a little red-neck cabin near Kal Lake (read: trailer) and we love to have friends out for a bbq and a swim.
If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Pizza, definitely, even cold.
What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
The Gray Monk winery – along with several others – for a romantic afternoon or evening snack
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Talking for a half hour on the phone to a very old (historically) former boyfriend only to find out at the end of the call that it was not the guy I thought it was, just a guy by the same name.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Seeing people who, in this life have almost no material goods, live happily, sing, dance and have hope for the future that defies their current circumstances. They believe their future will always be better than their today.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
As a kid, I always loved picnics, especially under weeping willow trees – I'm not sure why those trees are so special, but I have always thought they were beautiful and stoically sad!
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am currently working at a joint project with Hope for the Nations, a local charity for children at risk around the world, raising funds to build a Secondary school in Tanzania. As project manager for ENCOMPASS Benefits, it has become my main task to reach out to individuals and business to join us in making education a possibility for some great African kids who are ready and willing to work. The fact that Africa is half a world away has meant I need to work harder to show people the need, the power they have in their hands to affect change and the potential impact a dollar can have on an entire nation when wisely spent.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
That education would be free and globally equal so that everyone had the same advantages and opportunities to become the individuals they were meant to be, while appreciating what they have been given. I would also change how we view our world – eliminate the "us" and "them" mentality, where we prioritize one group over another simply because it takes less effort to help ourselves than to help someone else we aren't as familiar with.
What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Walking some of our beautiful trails and parks.
Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
Up on the side of Knox Mountain somewhere – I love the view and the exercise
Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would like to see Kelowna grow in its global awareness. The fun lifestyle we have here causes us to be too self-oriented.
If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
That I had some other way to communicate my thoughts, feelings and experiences to others than having to rely on mere words.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I am currently studying in a 2-year course through U of Calgary to teach English as a Second Language, with hopes of using those skills with the kids in Tanzania.
What is the name of your business/organization?
ENCOMPASS Benefits and HR Solutions Inc.
What does your business do?
We help employers craft and navigate the benefits and pension programs that best protect their employees and families. We also take our corporate social responsibility very seriously and have a number of initiatives that work to better our world and community.
How to people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
For our Project: @LWSSchool, www.facebook.com/livingwaterssecondaryschool/
For our Business: www.facebook.com/ENCOMPASSBenefits
Where can people find your business online?
Project: www.livingwatershighschool.com
Business: www.encompassbenefits.com
Why did you get into/start this business?
My husband began in the group benefits industry 14 years ago as a natural outgrowth of his love of Human Resources and supporting families when they need it the most. I have joined him in this and have found my own passion in using the business to expand our influence for positive change here and around the world. With influence comes great responsibility – we don’t want to waste the opportunity we have been given.
What is the goal of your business?
Our chief goal is to grow our business through excellent value-added service to clients, their employees and their families, as an advocate and partner in the realm of group insurance and retirement planning.
What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
After working through an injury in a car accident 10 years ago, I realized that long life is not guaranteed, and we need to make the most of every day we have on this earth. If I want to leave a positive legacy, then the work of my hands has to be meaningful and positive every day. In my work on behalf of Africa’s kids is where I feel most satisfied that I’m accomplishing that goal.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would start earlier!
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
When local businesses thrive so do the people in our community. Local business owners who grow their business also increase their influence and ability to bring about change through the lives of their employees.
Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Patricia Phillips, Program Director of Hope for the Nations here in Kelowna. Many people in our community don’t know about the amazing work that Hope for the Nations is doing around the world – their impact on behalf of children at risk is amazing! Patricia has the awesome task of guiding and directing their efforts in a world that often ignores the most vulnerable population – the children.
Other information you would like to share:
If you would like to have more information or to volunteer for the Living Waters Secondary School Project, call 250-878-4935. Ask about our “Fundraisers in a Box” to use in your office or neighbourhood to bring awareness of the need for education in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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. Thank you, Kelowna!
