Eight in-office and four milfoil control crew staff work for the OBWB. Together they run programs that serve 13 municipalities, three regional districts and four First Nations communities in the Okanagan Basin. We serve the diverse interests of residents, governments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and visitors in all aspects of water use in the Okanagan.
Executive Director
Melissa Tesche, M.Sc.
Melissa joined the Okanagan Basin Water Board as Executive Director in 2025, returning to lead the organization after previously serving as Office and Grants Administrator from 2010 to 2012. In the years between, she held leadership roles focused on collaborative problem-solving—most notably as head of the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program for a decade, and later as General Manager of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association.
Melissa brings a strong background in science and science communication, with a M.Sc. in Conservation Biology and undergraduate degrees in Zoology and Secondary Education. She believes deeply in the power of collaboration and bringing people together at the right scale to solve complex, landscape-level challenges. She sees water as fundamental to the landscape and to all who depend on it – connecting communities, ecosystems, and future generations.
Melissa lives in Kelowna with her husband and their two baseball-obsessed children. When not working, she can often be found supporting school events or at the local ball diamonds.
E-mail: melissa.tesche@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn.
Chief Operating Officer
James Littley, CD, MA
James oversees OBWB’s core programs, including milfoil control, invasive species prevention and grants programs, and helps lead financial management, and partnerships with local governments, Indigenous communities, and stakeholders. Since joining OBWB in 2012, he has played a key role in expanding invasive species prevention efforts, securing funding for water initiatives, and strengthening the organization’s operational capacity. He holds an M.A. focused on Sustainability Planning, and a Diploma in Local Government Administration. Born and raised in the Okanagan, James is passionate about supporting a sustainable water future for the region.
E-mail: james.littley@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Office and Grants Manager
Carolina Restrepo Tamayo, M.Sc.
Carolina’s responsibilities include office management, planning and coordination of events, payment and procurement services, and general management of the Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grants Program. Carolina has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the National University of Colombia and a MSc. in International Development with an emphasis on agriculture and sustainability from University of California, Davis. In her free time she enjoys hiking, cooking, Colombian dancing and spending time with her husband and two kids.
E-mail: carolina.restrepo@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Water Stewardship Director
Nelson Jatel, DSocSci.
Nelson joined the OBWB’s senior management team in 2007. His leadership roles involve supporting the Board’s technical advisory body, the Okanagan Water Stewardship Council, governance initiatives, and project management. He has managed various projects, including watershed data management, flood risk mapping, ecosystem economic analysis and the newly developed OBWB hydrometric program. He is a professional Agrologist with a doctorate in Social Sciences, an M.A. in governance and economics and a B.Sc. in limnology. Previously, Nelson was the Executive Director of the Okanagan Partnership Society. Nelson is a professional B.C. fishing guide in his spare time, sits on several corporate and volunteer boards and is actively involved in the family vineyard on the beautiful Naramata bench.
E-mail: nelson.jatel@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Water Quality Project Manager
Christina White, RPBio
Christina joined the OBWB office team in 2025 as the Water Quality Project Manager, bringing with her twenty years of experience and a deep-rooted passion for aquatic ecosystems. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Freshwater Science and is a Registered Professional Biologist with expertise particularly focused on the Okanagan region. Christina sees water as a vital and important link between people and the land. She is deeply committed to sustainable water management and advocates for forward-thinking policies that protect and enhance water quality for both current and future generations.
Based in Lake Country, Christina embraces a vibrant, nature-filled lifestyle. In her free time she enjoys hiking, biking, camping, and gardening on her family’s micro-farm, where she lives with her wonderful husband, their four energetic children and lively collection of animals. Picture to come.
E-mail: christina.white@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Water Science Specialist
Sandra Schira, BESc. and MSc.
Sandra’s responsible for water and climate trends research in the Okanagan, including data analysis, writing and presenting technical reports, as well developing and implementing projects to help tackle these issues. She developed and maintains the OBWB’s Climate Indicators Dashboard and supports its Hydrometric Monitoring Program. With a Bachelor’s of Environmental Science and a Masters in Science, Sandra brings a unique interdisciplinary blend of technical environmental science skills and knowledge of global change topics, including climate change and biodiversity issues. In her spare time, she loves running, playing boardgames, and bouldering.
Email: sandra.schira@obwb.ca ; Linkedin
Communications Manager
Carmen Weld
Carmen’s a storyteller at heart, with a knack for visuals and creating content that connects. Her background includes nearly a decade in journalism, from video journalist to digital editor, before a move to municipal communications in 2020. She enjoys helping organizations and causes she’s passionate about including recent work with a local dog rescue and a pediatric cancer event. Combining her love for learning and wine, Carmen recently completed the Wine & Spirit Education Trust – Level 2 with Distinction. When she’s not working, you’ll find her exploring all the Okanagan has to offer with her husband, two kids, and their rescue pup.
Email: carmen.weld@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Communications Coordinator
Amanda Burnett
Amanda is a marketing and communications specialist, savvy in social media, and with experience working in the Okanagan food and wine scene as well as with non-profits. She is passionate about environmental issues and has worked with grass roots advocacy movements to help raise awareness about important issues impacting underserved communities. Amanda grew up in the South Okanagan and enjoys watercolour painting, spending time with her family, and lounging on Okanagan beaches.
E-mail: amanda.burnett@obwb.ca ; LinkedIn
Eurasian Watermilfoil Control Crew
Pat Field supervises the milfoil team, provides operational planning and logistical management for the milfoil control program throughout the Okanagan Basin. Pat is the longest serving staff member of the OBWB, joining in 1991, and has been involved in the development of the control program, design and procurement of new equipment, and the modernization of the environmental mapping and permitting process. Pat also contributed to the community through his role as a coach for junior hockey for 18 years. Pat enjoys golfing and fishing on his off time.
David Hoogendoorn joined the OBWB as a Milfoil Control Operator in 2015. As an experienced heavy equipment operator, Dave runs the machines that remove milfoil from valley lakes, conducts maintenance on the machines and assists with procurement. David has been instrumental in the process to modernize work tracking systems, including updating GPS and electronic mapping systems. David loves the outdoors and camping with his family.
Darby Taylor joined the OBWB as a Milfoil Control Operator in 2021. Darby has extensive management experience as a former foreman, lead hand, and business owner in various landscaping companies. Darby also competes and coaches in Jiu Jitsu, helping kids to develop self defense and self confidence. Darby enjoys camping, barbecuing and spending time with his wife and kids.
Robert Unruh is the newest member of the OBWB milfoil team, joining as a Milfoil Control Operator in 2025. As a former National Construction Safety Officer, Robert has spent many years in the transportation and construction industry doing jobs such as field safety supervisor, commercial truck driver, and heavy equipment operator. Robert also has his firefighter certification and has spent time as a Paid-on-Call (POC) firefighter. When Robert isn’t doing projects as a woodworker, you can find him camping and fishing with his family or touring the beautiful Okanagan on his Harley.
