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BC Hotel Association announces Kelowna resident as first female CEO in history

The Kelowna resident has been longstanding member of BC’s tourism and hospitality sector
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Ingrid Jarrett is the newly appointed CEO of BCHA. (Contributed)

The first woman in 103 years is to be appointed the next president/CEO of the BC Hotel Association (BCHA).

Ingrid Jarrett brings more than three decades of experience in business leadership, strategic hospitality and tourism development and successful collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

A highly respected and longstanding member of B.C.’s tourism and hospitality sector, the Kelowna resident has spent the past three decades building impactful partnerships across the province; working directly on behalf of the industry with government and partner organizations, excelling at leadership roles in globally recognized companies like the Watermark Beach Resort and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

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She has also has earned multiple awards over the years for her contributions to tourism and business, including BCHA’s Hotelier of the Year Award (2017) and WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada (2017).

“On behalf of the entire board of directors, we are delighted to welcome Ingrid as our new president and CEO,” said Bryan Pilbeam, BCHA board chair. “She is truly the best person for the job, and I have the fullest confidence she will achieve great things in her new role.”

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Jarrett takes the reins from longtime President and CEO James Chase, who retired in December 2019 after 28 years of devoted service

“It is an honour to accept the position of president and CEO, and I could not be more proud to be BCHA’s first female leader in over a century,” said Jarrett.


Daniel Taylor
Reporter, Kelowna Capital News
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