Mark Jennings-Bates
Board Secretary - Social Entrepreneur
As an entrepreneur, Mark has worked mainly in the real estate sector as a consultant and REALTOR®. He has sat on the Board of Directors for several successful companies and worked on several charitable boards and foundations. In 2008, Mark was awarded the Coldwell Banker Ambassador of the Year for his philanthropic efforts to raise funds in South Africa as part of a team that raced bikes through the impoverished Transkei Region.
Mark, as an Advocate, is currently attempting to raise awareness for the work of Rally4Life by challenging himself to compete in some of the worlds most grueling races and by attempting to set significant world records. In Spring 2012 he will be attempting a world record breaking powered paraglding flight around Australia. You can follow this adventure at www.TheFlight4Life.com . His training regime to stay fit will include various physical races such as Ironman triathlons and Mountain Adventure Races, culminating in a 100km ultra-marathon in Guatemala, running alongside the orphans Rally4Life supports in that country.
Jackie Jennings-Bates
Founder – President/Chairperson of the Board
With a servants heart and the courage to work hard in challenging environments, Jackie is no stranger to charitable efforts. She relishes the chance to help people in difficult circumstances and for her, Rally4Life provides a project that she had dreamed about since her teenage years. “I always wanted to work for Voluntary Service Overseas as a school child in the UK but once Mark and I married, we were quickly distracted with the realities of running businesses and raising a family.” Timing is everything and now is the time.
Jackie is presently the Chair of the Board of Directors and her vision for the Rally4Life Foundation is clear and concise; to help people in need. In 2011, Jackie, her mother, and her husband Mark, visited a well building initiative in the Samburu region of Northern Kenya to observe the work of The Samburu Project. It was a very impactful journey that helped Jackie realise that clean water is not the only issue to tackle in Africa, since children fetching water are frequently eaten by crocodiles or killed in mudslides. Safe water is the bigger issue and Jackie believes that by tackling one project at a time, with faith and team work the cycle of poverty can be broken.
Jeff Bjorgan
Treasurer of The Board
Jeff joined the Board in 2010 and has brought a great deal of wisdom and out of the box thinking to the discussions. He is very experienced with programme development and has a natural flair for creative design and technology.
Jeff Bjorgan has been the Spiritual Formation Pastor at Emmanuel Assembly, Westbank, BC since Spring 2006. He oversees the small group (connecting points) and discipleship programs at the church. As an associate, Jeff helps the Pator with the general ministry of the church. Specifically, he gives oversight to our worship ministry, media teams, and Sunday morning kids programs.
Jeff did his schooling at Western Pentecostal Bible College and at Regent College. He was a children’s pastor in Medicine Hat, AB for just over 6 years. Jeff also pastored in Surrey, BC in an interim roll for a year before coming to Emmanuel.
His first trip overseas was last year to Southern India, where working with the poor, the realities of life outside Canada had a great impact.
Jeff enjoys writing, reading and anything to do with hockey. He has a particular interest in the philosophy of technology -how technology informs our everyday life. He is married to Nikki and they have four children.
Tracy Austin
Board Member
Tracy Austin is a skilled graphic designer who is also a talented marketer and event organiser. Even more importantly she is always incredibly enthusiastic, cheerful and uplifting. Tracy undertakes the Fundraising events with amazing energy because she is truly passionate about helping those in need. A long time friend of founders Mark and Jackie, Tracy was quick to jump on board (literally) and intuitively understood the vision. Tracy lives near Kelowna with her husband Steve and beautiful daughter Bella.
Chris Lloyd
Board Member
Chris is the Regional Marketing and Communications Coordinator at ICBC and therefore brings a wealth of skills to the Board, and is indispensable when it comes to clarifying and communicating the message. With a Degree in marketing from prestigious University of British Columbia Chris headed up the website team and has dedicated many hours to spreading the message of Rally4Life.
Gebe Wager
Board Member
Gebe Wager has been involved in the local real estate and home building market for 32 years. His current development Woodland Hills is truly a neighborhood unlike any other in the Okanagan. He has a passion, commitment and vision to surpassing expectations, combined with his level headed wisdom he brings stability and balance to the board. Plus, Gebe is a self confessed gear head, and his true enthusiasm for supporting our Adventure Advocates is a bonus.