Top 40: James Hektner
Photo: Contributed
Okanagan Edge and Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Over 40” program.
Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Over 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the ninth year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.
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James Hektner serves as president and co-founder of Accessible Okanagan, a non-profit that encourages people with diverse abilities to reach their full potential.
After sustaining a spinal cord injury in 1997, Hektner’s career took a significant detour, but ultimately for the better. Following a successful stint in technical sales and during his recovery from shoulder surgery at G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, he discovered the invaluable role of peer support within the disability community.
Fuelled by this newfound purpose, he returned to the Okanagan region and connected with like-minded individuals seeking a sense of community. That’s how Accessible Okanagan was born.
What began as a weekly coffee meet-up with two participants quickly expanded to include five and now nearly 700 members across the greater Okanagan area. Since 2009, Accessible Okanagan has flourished into a thriving non-profit organization, guided by an 11-member board, all of whom have disabilities. Its mission is to empower individuals with diverse abilities to achieve their full potential by creating and promoting inclusive opportunities throughout the community.
Hektner has served as president for eight years and also works as the community liaison for Praxis Spinal Cord Institute in the BC Interior. He has instilled a commitment to help people living with spinal cord injuries to improve their quality of life and create an active and thriving community filled with opportunities to network and learn, and to encourage social participation.
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