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ACADEMIC BACKGROUND/CERTIFICATION

Chartered Professional Accountant Designation (CPA)

Executive Certified Management Accounting (CMA) Program, 2008

Segal Graduate School of Business, SFU, Vancouver, BC

Top Talent Award for strategic leadership and academic excellence in the program

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy,2004

Department of Educational Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Dissertation: “A Study of Public Post-Secondary Entrepreneurship Education in British Columbia: The Possibilities and Challenges of an Integrated Approach”

Department of Educational Studies Scholarship, 1998

Master of Public Administration, 1994

Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Department of Public Administration Scholarship 1992-1994

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), 1991

Faculty of Arts, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON

President’s Scholarship (UVIC Visiting Student) 1989-1990

CERTIFICATION

EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360 Certification Program (Emotional Intelligence)

December 2013, Kelowna, BC

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Step I and Step II Certification Program

June 2009, Edmonton, AB

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Current research interests include social entrepreneurship/social enterprise, non-profit management, corporate social responsibility, leadership, service learning, and mentorship.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Associate/College Professor, 1999-present

Okanagan School of Business, ��«Ӱҵ, Kelowna, BC

President, KyCo Management, 2002-present

Corporate Training and Professional Speaking Company, Kelowna, BC

Partner and Business Trainer, 1998-2002

TriStar Innovations, Kelowna, BC

Manager, Management Services, 1996-1998

Business Development Bank of Canada, Kelowna, BC

Special Projects Coordinator, 1993-1995

The GEMS Management Group, Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

PUBLICATIONS

Dolansky, E., Ballesteros-Sola, M., & Myrah, K. Birchway Niagara: A Risking Rebranding Against Domestic Violence. (2024). Ivey Business School Foundation.

Myrah, K., & Ballesteros-Sola, M. (2024, Summer). Intentional Collaboration^TM Case Writing: Lessons

We Wish We Had Known Before We Started. Case Research Journal, 44(3).

Ballesteros-Sola, M, Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Raible, S. (2024). Aisle: A Canadian B Corp Pivots to Scale its Impact. In SAGE Business Cases. SAGE Publications,       Ltd. 

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Fenwick, S. (2023). Enactus��«Ӱҵ: Motivating a student leadership team during a global pandemic. Case Research Journal, 42(4).

Fenwick, S. & Myrah, K. (2022). Bend it Like Bonnie: Power & Politics During a Pandemic. Ivey Business School Foundation.

Myrah, K., & Rempel, K. (2022). Brain Trust: Assessing the viability of a new concussion management social enterprise. In SAGE Business Cases. SAGE Publications, Ltd. 

Myrah, K., & Rempel, K. (2022). Change in the Time of COVID: Determining How a Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness Adapts Their Team Development Model. In SAGE Business Cases. SAGE Publications, Ltd. 

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Warner, D. (Summer, 2021). Addressing Homelessness in Kelowna – Determining How a New Agency Will Govern. Case Research Journal, 41(3), 87-106.

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Warner, D. (June, 2019). MP Maintenance: Developing a Marketing Strategy for a Social Enterprise. International Journal of Case Studies in Management, 17(2), 1-19.

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., and Penney, D. (September, 2018). Optic Signs: A. Entrepreneur’s Dilemma, The Case Centre, 1-22. Retrieved from: 

Myrah, K., and Rempel, K. (May, 2017). Mission Possible: Social Enterprize Case Study. Retrieved from 

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Warner, D. (Winter, 2017). Howard Industries: A Social Enterprise Worth Continuing? Case Research Journal, 37(1), 1-22

Myrah, K., and Sawatzky, R. (Fall, 2016). Lunapads: Co-Leadership in a Social Business. Case Research Journal, 36(4), 1-15

Myrah, K., and Picco, E. (2015). YWCA Metro Vancouver Social Enterprize CaseStudy

2015. Retrieved from 

Myrah, K., and Odinsky-Zec, T. (2013). The V formation model: a unifying force for double bottom line ventures illustrated with European and North American examples. Social Responsibility Journal, 9(1) 91-108.

Myrah, K., Wilkinson, D., and Manziuk, S. (Fall, 2012). The five levels of corporate social responsibility: Is your business ready for the challenge? Certified Management Accountants of BC Quarterly Update Magazine, 16-19.

Myrah, K., Wilkinson, D., and Manziuk, S. (Summer, 2012). The Strategic Advantage

of Corporate Social Responsibility: What it is and why you don’t want to be left behind. Certified Management Accountants of BC Quarterly Update Magazine, 17-19.

Myrah, K. Using a Service Learning Approach to Teach Students about Social Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial Practice Review, 1(1), 4-23. Autumn, 2009.

Myrah, K., and Currie, R. (2006). Examining Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Education. Journal of Small Business & Entrepreneurship, 19(3), July.

FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Funder: Vancouver Foundation Participatory Action Research Convene Title: Addressing Homelessness in Kelowna: Establishing Participatory Action Research Priorities (2019 – 2020)

Role: Co-applicant (Team Member) | Year and Amount Awarded: 2019, $19,917 | Completion status: complete

This study involves hosting a series of workshops between researchers, social serving agencies, and individuals with a lived experience of homelessness to explore research possibilities that will lead to evidence-based innovative programs that prevent homelessness among people who are at high risk of losing their homes. The foci of the workshops include: 1) discussion of vulnerabilities that place people at risk of the first episode of homelessness; 2) discussion of possible solutions to homelessness vulnerabilities; and 3) discussion of research opportunities and identification of research priorities that would address the issue of preventing homelessness.

Funder: SSHRC Partnership Development Grant |Title: Kelowna Homelessness Research Collaborative 2019-2022

Role: Co-Applicant | Year and Amount Awarded: 2019, $177,900 | Completion status: Active, will be complete March 31, 2023 (one year extension)

This study will (1) examine how new technologies can be harnessed to help end homelessness; (2) complete a community analysis/assessment of homelessness stigmatization in the Kelowna community; (3) and assess various social and health services innovations with Kelowna’s service providers in adopting a Housing First approach, thereby laying the groundwork for a coordinated systems response to homelessness.

Funder: Eminence UBC Okanagan Cluster of Research Excellence Program: Homelessness Research in Kelowna: Journey Home Research Cluster (2019-2022)

Role: Co-Applicant | Year and Amount Awarded: 2019, $580,230 | Completion status: Active, will be complete October 31, 2023 (one year extension)

This study allows for an expansion of the Kelowna Homelessness Research Collaborative study through further examination of how new technologies can be harnessed to help end homelessness and the assessment of various social and health services innovations, with a particular focus on the implementation of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) screening tool within community organizations. This implementation is to identify individuals making use of community services who may be suffering from a TBI and determine the prevalence of TBI in Kelowna’s homeless population. 

GRANTS

Enactus Canada/John Dobson Foundation 2020. Awarded $5,800.00 grant to produce an Allyship in Research Toolkit and video resources.

Social EnterPrize Case Study 2016 & 2014: Awarded a $10,000 research grant in 2016 to write a case study on an award-winning social enterprise, Mission Possible and its social enterprise, MP Maintenance, and in 2014 to write a case study on the YWCA and its social enterprise hotel.

Brian Farlinger Research Award 2002: Presented with a research grant from the Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship at their annual conference in November 2002. The Brian Farlinger Award for emerging researchers is a seed grant to support young researchers and exploratory research in the areas of entrepreneurship and small business in Canada.

ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS

Rubadeau, D., & Myrah, K. (October, 2023). Empowering Students to Create Social Change through Enactus. ACBSP Region 11 Conference, Kelowna, BC.

Myrah, K., Ballesteros-Sola, M. (October, 2023) Toward a Model of Case Author Collaboration: Hard Learned Lessons on Case Team Writing, North American Research Case Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas.

Myrah, K., & Shaw, M. (June, 2022). Working with Case Protagonists. Keynote speaker at the 2022 ASAC National Conference, Case Track, Halifax, NS.

Myrah, K., Rempel, K., & Laing, S. (November, 2021). Embedding authentic allyship into the research process. Canadian Alliance to end Homelessness National Conference, online, November, 2021.

Myrah, K., Graham, J., Rempel, K., Presley, B., & Wang, A. (November 26, 2021). Panelist. Homelessness Research in the Okanagan. University of British Columbia Okanagan, .

Myrah, K., Ballesteros-Sola, M., Ontaneda, W. (June 22, 2021) NACRA Reviewers workshop. North American Research Case Association.

Myrah, K., Laing, S., & Rempel, K. (May 4, 2021). “Allyship In Research”.  Research Innovation Partnerships Expo (RIPE) 2021.

Myrah, K., Wheeler, S., & Roy, D. (November, 2019). Moving from Collaboration to Action: The Story of Journey Home Kelowna. Canadian Alliance to end Homelessness National Conference, Edmonton, AB.

Myrah, K. (October, 2019). Panelist. The Politics of Housing in the Okanagan and Beyond. University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC.

Myrah, K. (October, 2018). Evaluating Marketing Value of Social Enterprises. Academic Leaders Symposium, Enactus World Cup, San Jose, CA.

Myrah, K., and Bell, M. (June, 2018). Journey Home: Addressing Homelessness in Kelowna, BrainX Symposium on Brain Injury, Kelowna, BC.

Myrah, K. (April, 2018). Panelist. Homelessness and the Opioid Crisis, Business Improvement Association of BC Annual Conference, Kelowna, BC.

Myrah, K. (March, 2016). Panelist. Unleashed Okanagan. Stories of Social Change in the Community. Kelowna, BC

Myrah, K. “The Competitive Advantage of Mentoring.” Invest for the Future (IFTF) Eastern European Conference for Women Entrepreneurs. Zagreb, Croatia, March 7-10, 2014.

Myrah, K., and Warner, D. “Bringing the Community and Social Responsibility into the Classroom.” ACBSP Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 2013.

Myrah, K., and Thurnheer, L. “Growing Community Commitment Personally and Professional.” Junior Chamber International BC/Yukon Regional Convention, Kelowna, BC, May 2012.

Myrah, K., and Warner, D. “The Strategic Advantage of Corporate Social Responsibility.” CMA BC Leadership Conference, Vancouver, BC, May 2012.

Myrah, K. and Odinsky-Zec, T. “The Sustainable Enterprise Continuum. Case Examples from Croatia and Canada with Wider Application for Teaching and Research.” International Congress on Small Business, Stockholm, Sweden, June 2011.

Myrah, K. “Using the Power of Personality Style to Enhance your Communication.” 2010 Community Futures Provincial Staff Development Conference, Kelowna, BC.

Myrah, K. “Teaching youth entrepreneurship through a Dragon’s Den Competition.” 2009 International Enterprise Promotion Convention, Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK.

Myrah, K. “Social Entrepreneurship: Harnessing Business to Create Social Change.” Keynote address, EXSTA symposium (Entrepreneurship in the context of Cultural and Social Responsibility), Vienna, Austria, 2008.

Myrah, K. & Johnson, S. “Incorporating a Team Teaching Approach to Entrepreneurship” Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Annual Conference. Kelowna, BC, 2007.

Myrah, K. “Discovering your Emotional Intelligence.” Community Futures Development Corporation Boundary Area, Grand Forks, BC, 2007.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Allyship in Research

The Allyship in Research Toolkit provides researchers and practitioners with a framework to embed lived and living experience, and allyship, into their work. The toolkit describes ways to incorporate authentic participation into the entire research process or program development process, identifies strategies for engaging in a co-research/con-construction process, and outlines the benefits of practicing in this way. To accompany the toolkit, Creating Allyship in Research videos (short and long versions) are available that provide insight from those with experience in the area of homelessness – from service providers to those with lived experience of homeless – highlighting why allyship in research is needed. This toolkit was drafted by KHRC Co-Investigators Kyleen Myrah and Kerry Rempel, and KHRC’s Director of Operations Stephanie Laing.

Homelessness Vulnerabilities and Potential Mitigating Supports

In the early months of 2020, members of the Kelowna Homelessness Research Collaborative (KHRC) and co-researchers from the Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness (LECoH) held a series of focus groups in Kelowna to talk about two important questions: 1) what events or circumstances put individuals at risk of becoming homeless, and 2) what could be done to lessen the risk of homelessness? This was followed up by an online event in the fall of 2020 to engage both service providers and local academics in a discussion of potential community-based projects to inform and address the identified vulnerabilities. The below summaries were prepared by Kerry Rempel, Dr. Kyleen Myrah, Stephanie Laing, and , with the support of our Lived Experience Co-Researchers, Sherry W. Landry and Dorothy Goodeye. 

ACADEMIC SERVICE

• Faculty Advisor, Enactus ��«Ӱҵ chapter (formerly SIFE & ACE), 2005-present
• Committee Member, Dean of Business, ��«Ӱҵ Hiring Committee, 2023; 2017, 2010
• Member, Marketing, Management and Human Resources Committee, 2001-present.
• Committee Member, Extended Study Leave, 2015-2017.
• Member, Okanagan School of Business Library Committee, 2007-2013.
• Member, Grants-in-Aid Committee, 2008-2012
• Steering Committee Member, Institute for Teaching and Learning, 2007-2009
• Member, Faculty of Business Selection Committee, 2012, 2010, 2003
• Faculty Advisor, Okanagan Business Students’ Association, 2005-2006
• Faculty Advisor, Okanagan Business Student Banquet, 2005
• Committee Member, OUC Professional Development, Business & Technologies, 2003
• Chair, Faculty of Business Student Orientation, 2002
• Coordinator, Faculty of Business Student Toastmaster Program, 2002-2003

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Director, Impact Toolbox, 2024-present.
• Chair & Interviewer, Loran Scholar Foundation, BC Interior Committee, 2014-2024
• Committee member, Governance Committee, BC Rugby, 2020-2022.
• Member, ASAC Case Division Executive Committee, June 2020-2021
• Founding Chair, Director, Central Okanagan Journey Home Society, March 2019-2021
• Co-Chair, City of Kelowna Journey Home Task Force & Transition Team, July 2017-Feb. 2019
• Loran Scholars Foundation National Selections Interviewer 2017; 2020
• Member, Central Okanagan Foundation Community Engagement Committee, 2014-2018
• Director, Inn from the Cold, 2014-2017
• Director, Central Okanagan Foundation, 2013-2015
• Judge, School District #23/EDC Young Entrepreneur Awards 2005-16, 2001-02, 1998
• Steering Committee, Young Entrepreneur Program, Kelowna, 2006-2016
• Judge, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Young Entrepreneur Awards, 2014
• Assessor, Loran Scholar Foundation, BC Interior Committee, 2012-13
• Director, Elevation Outdoor Experiential Programs Association, 2009–2013
• Member, Central Okanagan Foundation Governance Committee, 2009-2012
• Judge, BDC/Chamber Kelowna Business Excellence Awards 2011-13, 2006-09, 2000
• Judge, Yellow Pages, Making it Real Awards, 2006-2009
• Committee Member, School Planning Council, Glenmore Elementary, 2009-2011.  
• Coach, Kelowna Youth Soccer/Kelowna United Association, 2007-2012
• Committee Chair/Member, PAC, Glenmore Elementary, 2006-2011
• Active Member, Okanagan Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce), 1997-2007
• Director, Bright Lights Foundation, Kelowna, BC, 2002-2008
• Director, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Member; Municipal Affairs Committee, 2004-2006
• Board Member, Central Okanagan Youth Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, 1998-2006
• Judge, EDDY Awards, South/Central region of BC, April 2003
• Director, Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Okanagan, 2000-2002
• Judge, Women of Distinction Awards, Kelowna, BC, YM-YWCA, 2002
• Chair, Nominating Committee, Women of Distinction Awards, YM-YWCA, 2000-2001
• Director, YMCA-YWCA of Central Okanagan, Kelowna, BC. 2000-2001
• Public Speaking Co-Coach, Lady of the Lake Competition, 2003, 2002, 2001
• Board Member, Self-Employment Committee, CFDC of Central Okanagan,1988

AWARDS

2024, Kelowna Woman of the Year. Kelowna Women in Business. Presented at the 2024 RISE Awards, this award recognizes a leader, champion for women in the workforce, and role model within her industry, in addition to someone who displays excellence in the field, and is actively involved in the local business community.

2022, Curtis Tate Finalist Award, North American Case Research Association conference, October 2022. Awarded for the top 4 cases published in the Case Research Journal for the case, “Addressing Homelessness in Kelowna – Determining How a New Agency Will Govern.

2021, Bronze Medal Case Award, North American Case Research Association conference (online format), October 2021. Awarded for the case, “Enactus��«Ӱҵ: Motivating a Student Leadership Team During a Global Pandemic.”

2020, Gold Medal Case Award, North American Case Research Association conference (online format), October 2020. Awarded for the case, “Change in the Time of Covid: Determining How a Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness Adapts Their Team Development Model.”

2020 Outstanding Reviewer Award, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) National Conference, St. John’s, Newfoundland (online format), June 2020.

2020, Best Paper, Case Track Division, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) National Conference, St. John’s, Newfoundland (online format), June 2020. Awarded for the case, “Addressing Homelessness in Kelowna: How a New Agency will Govern.”

2019 Outstanding Reviewer Award (new reviewer award), North American Research Case Association Annual Conference, Tempe, Arizona, October 2019.

2018, Anita Tozer Memorial Award Recipient, awarded to an individual or group (Journey Home Task Force) in recognition of an extraordinary and positive contribution to the quality of life in Kelowna.

2018, Finalist, Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award, One of three women recognized for their outstanding voluntary contributions and community service to the city of Kelowna

2017 Best Paper, Case Track Division,Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) National Conference, Montreal, Quebec. Awarded for the case, “MP Maintenance: Evaluating the Marketing Strategy of a Social Enterprise.”

2016, Top 40 over 40 Award, Kelowna Chamber of Commerce & BDO. In recognition for individuals over the age of 40 who act as mentors, champions, and role models to foster the future leaders of the Okanagan community.

2016 Honourable Mention, Case Track Division, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) National Conference, Edmonton, AB. Awarded for the case, “Howard Industries: A Social Enterprise Worth Continuing?”

2014 Community Leader Award, Mentor, Honourable Mention. Recognizes volunteers who provide mentorship and enhance their community, Kelowna, BC.

2012 ACCC Silver Teaching Excellence Award

This award, by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, honours a faculty member who has exhibited consistent excellence in teaching and has had a significant impact on the personal and academic growth of students.

2012 President’s Award, ��«Ӱҵ

This award honours and recognize a current employee who has provided outstanding service to ��«Ӱҵ, who has shared and supported the mission, vision and values of the College and has been actively engaged within the college community.

2010 Canadian Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (CCSBE) Entrepreneurial Learning Awards, Calgary 2010.

Runner up Award for Best Course, Buad 309: Social Entrepreneurship

2009 John Dobson Ace Fellow of the Year Award

Recognizes the John Dobson ACE Fellow for all of Canada who made an outstanding contribution in the past academic year as a mentor and coach to students involved in the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)programs on their campus

2008 ECMA Top Talent Award

ECMA (Executive Certified Management Accountant) top talent award recognizes academic success and demonstrated leadership throughout the program.

2008 Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senatorship Award

Awarded for dedication and outstanding service to the JCI organization. Confers lifetime membership in the JCI organization.

2006 John Dobson ACE Fellow

Awarded by Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) Canada for support and dedication to the local Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) chapter.

2004 Women of Distinction Finalist

Awarded by the YWCA-YMCA of Central Okanagan, a finalist in the Community Leadership category.

2002/2003 National Junior Chamber Member of the Year

Awarded by the Canadian Junior Chamber for being the most outstanding member of the national organization.

2002/2003 National Junior Chamber Trainer of the Year

Awarded by the Canadian Junior Chamber for the most outstanding trainer of the national organization.

2002 BC/Yukon Jaycee of the Year

Presented to a Junior Chamber (Jaycee) member in the BC/Yukon region who provided outstanding contribution and leadership to the Junior Chamber organization and region throughout the 2002 year.

2002 Okanagan Jaycee of the Year

Presented to a Junior Chamber (Jaycee) member in the Okanagan Jaycee chapter who provided outstanding contribution and leadership to their local chapter throughout the 2002 year.

Enterprising, Dedicated, Dynamic Youth (EDDY) Awards, South/Central Region of BC

Category: Supporter of Young Entrepreneurs, April 2000, Kelowna, BC

Americas Junior Chamber (Jaycees) Public Speaking Competition, 2nd Place

April 1999, Panama City, Panama

National Jaycee Public Speaking Champion

September 1998, Edmonton, Alberta

REVIEWER/CO-EDITOR/RESEARCH ROLES

Founding team member, and Co-investigator, Kelowna Homelessness Research Collaboration (KHRC) , 2019-present
Member, Case Research Journal Editorial Board (2019 – present)
Reviewer, Case Research Journal, 2016-present.
Reviewer, The Case Journal, 2016-present.
Guest Editor, Special Issue on Women Entrepreneurs, Case Research Journal, 2019-2021 Reviewer, Administrative Sciences Association of Canada (ASAC) Annual Conference, 2014-present
Reviewer, North American Research Case Association (NACRA) Conference, 2014-present
Case Track Session Co-leader, Cases in Development: Strategy / Marketing, ASAC Annual Conference, June, 2020, 2021
Case Track Session Co-Leader, Sustainability track, NACRA Annual Conference, 2022, 2021.
Reviewer, Social Responsibility Journal, 2012.
Reviewer, Entrepreneurial Practice Review, 2012
Reviewer, Canadian Council of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference, 2012, 2010.
Reviewer, Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 2008. 
Reviewer, Robbins, Stephen P. and Langton, Nancy. Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior, 3nd Canadian Edition. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education Inc. Winter 2006
Reviewer, Robbins, Stephen P. and Langton, Nancy. Fundamentals of Organizational Behavior, 2nd Canadian Edition. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education Inc. Fall 2005
Reviewer, Walter S. Good. Building a Dream: A Canadian Guide to Starting a Business, 5th edition. Toronto, Ont: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. Fall 2001
Reviewer, Walter S. Good. Building a Dream: A Canadian Guide to Starting a Business, 4th edition. Toronto, Ontario: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. Summer 2001.

Graduate Supervisor

Organizational Consulting Project, Master of Business Administration, Royal Roads University. Student: Wayne Roberts, Strategic Business Plan, Urban Systems Ltd, 2008-09.
Organizational Consulting Project, Master of Business Administration, Royal Roads University. Student:
Pamela Nelson, Strategic Business Plan, FMS Flight Motion Simulators Inc, 2007-08.
Organizational Consulting Project, Master of Business Administration, Royal Roads University. Student:
Jennifer Gorman, Strategic Business Plan, Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence, 2004-05.