ForChange Kelowna has released its eight recommended candidates for Kelowna City Council ahead of the October 17, 2026 municipal election. They are listed alphabetically by surname and are not ranked.
Our eight recommended candidates
- Les Bellamy
- Maxine DeHart
- Indy Dhial
- Davis Kyle
- Mohini Singh
- Laura Thurnheer
- Lee-Ann Tiede
- Rick Webber
Listed alphabetically, not ranked. ForChange recommends. You decide.
See them on the ballot, download the one-page PDF and share the list with your neighbours on our Recommended candidates page.
How the committee chose
An independent committee of eight volunteer Kelowna residents with extensive professional, municipal, business and community experience reviewed submitted questionnaires, conducted in-depth candidate interviews, attended candidate forums and deliberated as a committee.
Every participating candidate was assessed on one consistent framework:
- Experience and qualifications
- Leadership track record
- Community involvement
- Understanding of municipal governance
- Collaborative decision-making
- Vision for Kelowna’s future
In considering the overall composition of its recommendations, the committee also recognized the value of balancing new perspectives with continuity and experience from previous Council service.
Decisions were made by committee consensus. Members sometimes disagreed, and some individual members strongly backed candidates who did not reach consensus.
Consensus doesn’t mean we agreed on every candidate. There were thoughtful disagreements and strong advocates around the table. What mattered was that everyone was heard and that our final recommendations reflected the collective assessment of the committee after a very thorough process.
Rick Maddison, ForChange committee
I was really impressed by the depth of the process. We took the time to get to know the candidates, hear directly from them and have some very thoughtful discussions as a committee. We didn’t always agree, and that made the conversations and the process even stronger.
André Blanleil, ForChange committee
The committee
The committee includes former 21-year Kelowna City Councillor and business leader André Blanleil, Quails’ Gate proprietor and former CEO Tony Stewart, former City of Kelowna Human Resources Director Charlene Covington, former Kelowna City Councillor and arts and culture leader Ryan Donn, executive leader Alison Yesilcimen, entrepreneur and business executive TJ Grewal, media marketing agency owner Rick Maddison and former Kelowna City Manager Ron Mattiussi.
Together, the committee represents a diverse cross-section of experience and perspectives within the community. Meet the committee.
Where we stand
ForChange is independent and not affiliated with any party, slate, business group or outside organization. Our recommendations add information for voters. They do not tell anyone how to vote.
Do your own research and make your own choice on October 17.