Okanagan Echo Civic Series: Laura Thurnheer
Okanagan Echo asked all 11 women running for council the same four questions about why they’re running, the priorities they would bring to City Hall, the experience they offer and what they want residents to know before voting.
Kelowna voters will head to the polls on October 17, 2026, to elect a mayor and eight city councillors. The official field includes 37 candidates for council, including the 11 women featured here. Advance voting begins October 7.
Laura Thurnheer grew up in Kelowna and has more than 30 years of experience across education, business, governance and community organizations. She spent 18 years at Okanagan College as a professor, chair and associate dean, and has held leadership roles with organizations including the BC Chamber of Commerce, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, KGH Foundation and KCR Community Resources. She also served on the City of Kelowna’s Mayor’s Task Force on Crime and Safety and currently runs Turn Here Solutions, a human resources and strategic planning company.
Here are Laura Thurnheer’s responses.
OE: What made you decide to run for Kelowna City Council in 2026?
LT: Kelowna is facing an important moment in its growth. I want to protect what people love about Kelowna while creating opportunities for the generations that follow. I have deep roots in the community. It’s where I grew up, where my husband and I raised our two children and built a business. It’s also where I’ve spent decades supporting organizations that strengthen our community.
I’ve watched Kelowna change from a small town into the thriving city it is today. I’ve seen the tremendous opportunities this has brought as well as the challenges around housing, transportation, affordability, infrastructure, public safety, and quality of life. I know that the decisions we make now will have consequences well beyond the next election cycle. I believe my practical experience, perspective, and deep commitment to Kelowna will navigate these challenges and make a meaningful contribution.
OE: What are the three issues you believe should be priorities for the next council?
LT:
Managed growth: Growth creates housing opportunities, strengthens our economy, and provides new possibilities for residents. But if it gets ahead of transportation and community services, it places undue pressure on affordability and quality of life. Growth needs to be carefully planned with input from both staff and residents.
Crime and safety: Residents should feel safe in their communities. Businesses should have confidence that their employees, customers, and property are protected. At the same time, we need to recognize that homelessness, mental health and addiction are complex social issues that require more than enforcement alone.
Fiscal responsibility: Making sure public money is spent deliberately and where it can achieve the greatest benefit. Sometimes responsible financial management means saying no. Sometimes, it means making an investment now because delaying it will cost more later. And sometimes it means looking for a different way to deliver a service or generate revenue.
OE: What experience or perspective would you bring to council?
LT: I have 30 years of experience in business, post-secondary education and community leadership. My leadership roles include current Chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce, former Associate Dean of Business at Okanagan College, Director of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, and a participant on the Mayor's Task Force on Crime & Safety and Economic Prosperity. I have been recognized for my contributions as the 2024 Kelowna Chamber Volunteer of the Year recipient.
My leadership roles have consistently involved helping people and organizations
navigate change, solve problems and prepare for the future. I understand how complex organizations work, how decisions are made and how to bring diverse perspectives together to get the best results. This combination is particularly relevant to council given the complex and interconnected challenges facing Kelowna at this time.
OE: What is one thing you want Kelowna residents to understand about you before they cast their ballots?
LT: How deeply I care about this community and how committed I am to ensuring Kelowna continues to offer opportunities and a great quality of life for generations to come.
Explore the full Civic Series This interview is part of Okanagan Echo’s 2026 Civic Series featuring the women running for Kelowna City Council. Visit the main series page to read the profiles and responses from all 11 candidates.
Okanagan Echo thanks all participating candidates for sharing their time and perspectives with residents.
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