Debbie MacMillan

No matter what the cause, Debbie MacMillan likes to dig in and help. As chair of Chefs in the Classroom – edible education, an Okanagan Chefs Association program that teaches elementary school students how to grow, cook and eat local, healthy food, she’s put her love of gardening to work. “We did some videos with the kids, trying to find out what they know about fruits and vegetables,” says Debbie. “Okanagan kids are smart. They recognized dragon fruit, but we did stump them with a few things, like fennel!”

Over the years, Debbie has volunteered for numerous organizations, including the Knowledge Network board of directors, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She’s found the knowledge and skills developed while volunteering to be invaluable in her event planning business, which focuses on raising funds for local causes.

As part of our Leadership Circle of donors, Debbie loves how Knowledge helps people grow. “It opens up a world to you that might not be easily accessible. It can take you to Peru and to Haida Gwaii. And knowledge about the world makes you a more interesting person.”