2025 40 Under 40 Winners

Chandel secured a $1 million endowment gift in May 2023 to support brain health care at Kelowna General Hospital, demonstrating her ability to inspire major philanthropic investments in critical health initiatives. She supported a $1 million family foundation gift to advance Parkinson’s care at KGH in January 2024 and helped the family organize two fundraising events that collectively raised over $200,000. 

Under Chandel’s leadership, the Foundation’s annual Day of Giving has achieved record-breaking results, including raising $927,000 for cancer care in 2024, $794,000 for a new MRI in 2023, $1 million for mental health care in 2022, and over $1 million for stroke care in 2021. 

Certified in Dare to Lead training (Nov 2022), a Brené Brown–based program focused on courageous leadership, emphasizing vulnerability, empathy, trust-building, and values-driven decision-making.

I was job-hunting and attended a networking event at the University I graduated from where I met a KGH Foundation Board Director. She shared a short-term opportunity to cover a Coordinator position at the organization. After meeting with the Executive Director, I joined on a three-month term and nearly 15 years later, I’m still here.

I call it the “dream job I never knew I wanted.” Over the years and through a variety of roles at the KGH Foundation, I have had the chance to grow, challenge myself, and stay engaged in an ever-evolving environment. It is so rewarding to build relationships with donors, health care professionals, and community members, all motivated to improve care. But most of all, it’s the kind and talented team I get to work with every day that keeps me motivated to do my best.

There was a time when I felt stuck in the routine of my role and wanted to take on more. I shared this with my ED and Senior Director, and they not only listened—they took action. They created both short- and long-term opportunities for me to take on more responsibility, which ultimately helped me grow into the leadership role I hold today. I’m incredibly grateful they gave me the chance to step up and prove I was ready.

I believe deeply in the power of collaboration. Whether it’s brainstorming across departments at the Foundation or partnering with other organizations toward a shared goal, the best outcomes always come from diverse input. It might take a little more coordination to get there, but it’s through different perspectives that we truly grow. Plus, the process is so much more enjoyable when shared with others.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. Make the donor call. Share the idea. Reach out to a peer for advice. The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become, and you might just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.