Riley M. Gettens Email & Phone Number

Penticton, Bc, Ca

South Okanagan Similkameen, British Columbia

Acclaimed to a second term to represent the great people of Okanagan Lake West, Rural Summerland, and Greater West Bench. I sit on a Board of twenty (yes, 20!) elected officials. Nine Electoral Area Directors representing Osoyoos Rural, Cawston, Oliver Rural, Skaha East/Okanagan Falls, Naramata, Keremeos/Rural Headly, Princeton Rural and Skaha West/Apex. Eleven elected Municipal Directors representing the cities of Penticton (5), Summerland (2), Oliver (1), Osoyoos (1), Princeton (1) and… Show more Acclaimed to a second term to represent the great people of Okanagan Lake West, Rural Summerland, and Greater West Bench. I sit on a Board of twenty (yes, 20!) elected officials. Nine Electoral Area Directors representing Osoyoos Rural, Cawston, Oliver Rural, Skaha East/Okanagan Falls, Naramata, Keremeos/Rural Headly, Princeton Rural and Skaha West/Apex. Eleven elected Municipal Directors representing the cities of Penticton (5), Summerland (2), Oliver (1), Osoyoos (1), Princeton (1) and Keremeos (1). This unique representation provides the necessary cross-communication to promote coordination between the activities of the different municipalities and rural areas. Regional Districts provide rural residents with an effective form of local government while representing municipal residents on regional issues. Regional districts enable municipalities and rural areas to work together and combine their efforts. The better we work with one another and our neighbouring regional districts, the stronger all of our areas will be. Show less

Interior, Bc

I lead a multidisciplinary team of physicians and recruitment leads from three Rural and Remote Chapters, eight Divisions of Family Practice, and the Interior Health Authority. Committed to spearheading strategic initiatives to position the Interior of BC as the premier destination for Family Medicine Practice, enhancing regional healthcare access, I- Provide strategic leadership and facilitate a decision-making process to achieve collective goals, maintaining an inclusive and conducive… Show more I lead a multidisciplinary team of physicians and recruitment leads from three Rural and Remote Chapters, eight Divisions of Family Practice, and the Interior Health Authority. Committed to spearheading strategic initiatives to position the Interior of BC as the premier destination for Family Medicine Practice, enhancing regional healthcare access, I- Provide strategic leadership and facilitate a decision-making process to achieve collective goals, maintaining an inclusive and conducive environment for collaboration and creativity. - Develop and execute high-impact regional strategies from conception to realization while ensuring the ongoing engagement of stakeholders impacted by the initiatives.- Establish strong linkages between the networks’ strategies and objectives of regional and provincial stakeholders (Interior Divisions of Family Practice, UBC Family Medicine Residency - Program, Resident Doctors of BC, Health Match BC/BC Health Careers, and the Ministry of Health. - Leverage a deep understanding of business and political landscapes to drive innovation and implement improvements in recruitment and retention practices.- Successfully executed project plans within designated timelines and budgets, optimized resource allocation and ensured alignment with organizational objectives.In 2021, I developed the Primary Care Provider Recruitment and Retention Lifecycle. With the IPRR co-chairs, we presented the life cycle to the GPSC and demonstrated the provincial investment in recruitment is sound. Yet, local recruitment resources were lacking and, therefore, limiting the return on the provincial investment in lead generation. In 2022, two new FPSC funding streams (Regional Recruitment, Retention and Retirement Coordination and Physician Integration and Retention) were made available to Divisions of Family Practice for FY 2022/23. This funding remains in place today. Show less

South Okanagan Similkameen

I develop and lead the South Okanagan Similkameen Family Physician Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Continually seeking partnerships to support recruitment efforts, I work with our amazing Division staff, local family physicians, Interior Health colleagues, community/regional partners and elected representatives. Together, we are positioning the South Okanagan Similkameen to be the best place to practice family medicine. Day to day activities include working with potential recruits… Show more I develop and lead the South Okanagan Similkameen Family Physician Recruitment and Retention Strategy. Continually seeking partnerships to support recruitment efforts, I work with our amazing Division staff, local family physicians, Interior Health colleagues, community/regional partners and elected representatives. Together, we are positioning the South Okanagan Similkameen to be the best place to practice family medicine. Day to day activities include working with potential recruits (maintaining relationships, touring, retention management) and with our exceptional local physicians. Our recruitment strategy continually improves because of concerted efforts to better understand our target market. Strength is in collaboration. Working in partnership throughout our region is how we will best succeed. I am very pleased to be sitting at the newly established Regional Recruitment table. Show less

South Okanagan, British Columbia

Doctors of BC and the BC Government committed to increasing timely access to support for Children and Youth with Mental Health Substance Use issues through funding one of the largest initiatives of its kind - the CYMHSU Collaborative. The purpose of the Collaborative was to increase the number of children, youth and their families receiving timely access to integrated mental health and substance use services and supports in BC. Based on a model used worldwide as a method of rapid… Show more Doctors of BC and the BC Government committed to increasing timely access to support for Children and Youth with Mental Health Substance Use issues through funding one of the largest initiatives of its kind - the CYMHSU Collaborative. The purpose of the Collaborative was to increase the number of children, youth and their families receiving timely access to integrated mental health and substance use services and supports in BC. Based on a model used worldwide as a method of rapid continuous quality improvement in healthcare, the initiative first started in the Interior Health region in June 2013. I coordinated the work of the Collaborative for OK Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos and facilitated regional meetings attended by physicians, social workers, Ministry of Children and Family Development staff, local families and youth with lived CYMHSU experience. The project resulted in a connected network of local service providers and new communication tools for family physicians to use with their young patients. The tools have since spread to a number of other Division of Family Practices. A few examples of the tools are linked below. Show less

Penticton, Bc

Successfully procured $71,330 in community and employment partnership funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. The primary goal of the project was to collect skilled-labour market data specific to the South Okanagan. The project’s success relied heavily on my management and engagement with a select but varied committee of local business leaders. Managed a $50,000 investment in positioning Penticton as a preferred place to move to and work virtually from.… Show more Successfully procured $71,330 in community and employment partnership funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation. The primary goal of the project was to collect skilled-labour market data specific to the South Okanagan. The project’s success relied heavily on my management and engagement with a select but varied committee of local business leaders. Managed a $50,000 investment in positioning Penticton as a preferred place to move to and work virtually from. Oversaw a very competitive RFP process and worked with the evaluation team to select the final candidate. Managed the project kick-off; connected project coordinators to the community and facilitated meetings to solicit community buy-in. This initiative (Penticton Works) won the 2018 Economic Development Community Excellence Award from SILGA. This project relied heavily on community involvement and buy-in to remain authentic and current. With the aim of attracting and retaining residents and businesses, I worked closely with and report to Penticton’s Economic Development Officer. Having researched, developed and operationalized business cases, I advised and contributed to Resident and Business Retainment and Recruitment initiatives such as those listed above and 'Project Entrepreneur'.During my time with the City, Penticton was rated the top mid-sized Canadian Entrepreneurial Community in 2015 by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, up from 20th place in 2014. Show less

Penticton, Bc

Procured and maintained over $500,000 in sponsorship dollars, in-kind services and promotional value in a very competitive industry with exceptional media attention. Sponsors included both national and local brands. Aligned the festival’s demographic profile to sponsors’ goals to maximize return on investment for all parties. Building strong relationships was key to maintaining partnerships and trust.

Penticton, Bc

Developed and implemented annual fundraising campaigns. Managed budgets, agency allocations and communications strategies throughout the South Okanagan Similkameen. Leveraged a multi-media approach to engage with communities and donors including: annual reports, donor stories, newsletters, press releases and social media campaigns. Increased the number of donors, volunteers and sponsored events. Created and delivered successful new ‘first-annual’ events such as: the Lakeside Resort Drive… Show more Developed and implemented annual fundraising campaigns. Managed budgets, agency allocations and communications strategies throughout the South Okanagan Similkameen. Leveraged a multi-media approach to engage with communities and donors including: annual reports, donor stories, newsletters, press releases and social media campaigns. Increased the number of donors, volunteers and sponsored events. Created and delivered successful new ‘first-annual’ events such as: the Lakeside Resort Drive Thru Breakfast, the City of Penticton Toonie Swim and the 5K4UW. Implemented a systematic donor stewardship and recognition plan.Collaborated with non-profit social service and health agencies, donors and businesses to promote social change in the South Okanagan Similkameen. Key partner in development of youth self-esteem project. Canadian Association of Gift Planners - Certificate of Achievement – CAGP-ACPDP Strategic Gift Planning Boot Camp Show less

Penticton, Bc

Managed a multi-media approach that included traditional marketing while growing the online presence via the website, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts. Marketing initiatives resulted in record-breaking attendance at DPA events, national recognition of the Downtown Community Market and 505% increase in Facebook ‘likes’. Initiated the first partnership with a private business for sponsorship. Sourced and managed relationships with external agencies and supervise a seasonal team to ensure… Show more Managed a multi-media approach that included traditional marketing while growing the online presence via the website, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts. Marketing initiatives resulted in record-breaking attendance at DPA events, national recognition of the Downtown Community Market and 505% increase in Facebook ‘likes’. Initiated the first partnership with a private business for sponsorship. Sourced and managed relationships with external agencies and supervise a seasonal team to ensure execution of the communication plan. Developed communications plans for members, residents, sponsors, potential sponsors and partners. Show less

Calgary, Ab

Co-created and launched, 'Who's Where When' a family organizer that helped families stayed connected while promoting local businesses.

Calgary, Ab

Managed approximately 80 accounts for three affiliated publications. Excelled at generating new business and consistently increased monthly revenue to be at the top of the sales team. Managed the marketing of the publication to existing and potential clients.

Calgary, Ab

Assisted the Director of Development while reaching the fundraising goal of $3.1 million for a new treatment facility. Developed marketing tools, published the newsletter and initiated an Alumnae Organization. Also managed and recruited Aventa Volunteers.

Professional Development - Continuing Business Studies Certificate, Project Management, 98%

Bachelor Of Arts, Social Anthropology, International Relations, 3.8 Gpa

Majored in Social Anthropology with a focus on International Communications and Business Relations. Studied the communications.

Public Relations Certificate

The comprehensive curriculum included courses in writing for Public Relations Strategies, Relationship Building, Event Planning.