Laura Thurnheer

Independent for Kelowna Council

Businesses & Jobs

Economic Growth

Growth with Purpose

Support housing, transportation, and infrastructure investments that keep pace with growth while protecting our quality of life.

An Affordable Community

• Affordable housing for youth, seniors, families, and workers

• Strategically managed, responsible growth

• Effective cost management - recognizable value for your tax dollar

A Prosperous Community
  1. Focus on business retention and attraction
  2. Focus on expanded revenues beyond taxes
  3. Continued attraction of major sport and entertainment events
A Mobile Community
  1. Development of critical roadways & infrastructure
  2. Support for airport expansion
  3. Focus on transit expansion & reliability

Culture & Events

Festivals & Events

For a Prosperous Community, we need to continue to attract major sport and entertainment events.

Housing & Homelessness

Affordability

An Affordable Community

Homelessness

A Safe Community

• Expanded support for police, fire, & bylaws

• Protection of both citizen and business rights

• Compassionate support for the homeless and suffering

Local Government, Planning, & Democracy

Budgeting

Fiscal Responsibility

Deliver value for taxpayers and ensure resources are invested where they make the greatest community impact.

Good Governance

Collaborative Leadership

Encourage transparent decision-making, community consultation, and a council focused on results rather than division.

Long-Term Plan

A Vibrant and Prosperous Community.
  1. Expanded parks and recreational opportunities
  2. Support for a vibrant, thriving Arts and Culture community
  3. Support for the Not-for-Profit social sector
  4. Focus on business retention and attraction
  5. Focus on expanded revenues beyond taxes
  6. Continued attraction of major sport and entertainment events
A Leading Community
  1. Ready & able to embrace opportunity
  2. Transparent decision making and community consultation
  3. A collaborative Council who works together for our community
A Mobile Community
  1. Development of critical roadways & infrastructure
  2. Support for airport expansion
  3. Focus on transit expansion & reliability

Public Engagement

Transparent decision making and community consultation

Public Safety & Policing

Non-Police-Based Public Safety

Protection of both citizen and business rights.
Compassionate support for the homeless and suffering.

Police Funding

Expanded support for police, fire, & bylaws

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
"Kelowna needs a balanced approach and thoughtful leadership to address complex challenges. These are my strengths. I bring people together, understand different perspectives and will make decisions that consider both immediate and long-term opportunities."

Laura is the owner of Turn Here Solutions and co-owner of Swiss Skid Steer Solutions. Turn Here Solutions is a Human Resources and Strategic Planning company serving businesses both locally and nationally. Swiss Skid Steer Solutions is a family business that has been operating in the greater Kelowna area for more than 18 years. Since March of 2026 Laura has been providing leadership support to the British Columbia Wine Authority as the General Manager on a part-time basis.

As an active member of her local business community Laura is very aware of the challenges facing businesses today and strives to help new and existing businesses develop and expand. Laura is the current Chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce and Director with the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation.

She is a Past President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, past Vice-Chair & Treasurer of the British Columbia Wine Authority, and a past Chair with KCR Community Resources. Laura spent 6 years on the CPHRBC & Yukon Board of Directors recently completing her term serving her professional designation.

For 18 years Laura worked as a Professor, Chair, and Associate Dean with Okanagan College in both their Business and Science & Technology portfolios. During this time she was involved in developing new programs, hiring great professors, and teaching and coaching many outstanding students.

Laura has a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management and is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). She has been married to her husband Thomas for 38 years and supports his successful small business. They have two adult children and enjoy an active Okanagan lifestyle.

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
“I have spent the past 30 years preparing for this position and want to take my community contributions to the next level. Our community is experiencing extensive growth, facing challenges and opportunities. We need the right people to effectively steer the community forward.”

I'm running for City Council because Kelowna needs experienced leaders who can help navigate complexity and bring people together to move our community forward.

Throughout my career, I've worked at the intersection of business, education, governance, and community service, bringing people together to make informed decisions, balance competing priorities, and move important work forward.

My approach is simple:

  1. listen first
  2. work collaboratively
  3. make informed decisions
  4. keep people at the center

I believe local government works best when people are heard, decisions are transparent, and leaders are willing to tackle complex issues with both compassion and common sense.

I am proud to call Kelowna home, and I would be honoured to put my experience to work for our community and our future.

What I bring to council

Community-minded leadership, backed by experience

Community connection

A lifelong Kelowna resident with decades of business experience, volunteer service and community involvement that has helped strengthen our community.

Proven leadership

More than 30 years leading organizations through change and helping solve complex challenges

Strong relationships

Trusted by business, education, and community leaders to bring people together and move important work forward

Balanced decision making

Committed to listening, weighing evidence, and making thoughtful decisions for Kelowna's future.


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www.lauraforkelowna.ca