Amy Gillies, Enterprize Challenge Mentor, Named Volunteer of the Year

Amy (L) and her mentee Juanita Miller, of Juanita Miller Nutrition, at the Enterprize Challenge finale event in 2017.

Every winter, excitement builds for Amy Gillies as she thinks about who she’ll get to mentor in the next Enterprize Challenge.

Amy is a commercial services account manager at VantageOne Credit Union in Vernon—and for the last 10 years, she has volunteered as a mentor for Enterprize Challenge participants.

The Enterprize Challenge is a high-energy business pitch competition that provides North Okanagan entrepreneurs with professional mentorship, networking opportunities and the chance to win a share of significant prize packages to help launch or grow their local ventures.

Over a period of several weeks, Amy meets one-on-one with her mentees for at least an hour—going above and beyond the minimum number of four hours to set them up for a successful experience in the challenge and afterwards.

“I get to meet these business owners and listen to their ideas and questions, and I share what I can to help them succeed,” says Amy, who brings 32 years of experience at VantageOne and 15 years in business banking.

“I really love working with business owners. I get such satisfaction out of sharing resources and helping them grow.”

Mentors support participants as they prepare their financials and their pitch as they prepare to win over judges, first to become a finalist, and then to earn a top spot on the stage every May.

Theresa Sanders (L) and her volunteer mentor Amy (R) in 2019 during the Enterprize Challenge.

Since Amy became a volunteer mentor 10 years ago, a handful of her mentees have won Enterprize Challenge and others have taken top spots. First place winners she has mentored include Teresa Sanders of FILL Vernon’s Refill Store, Amanda Homeniuk of Kaleco Clothing, and Jaye Siegmueller of Farm Bound.

“When your person wins—though I would never take any credit, I was just a little part of that—it’s so exciting,” says Amy. “Those are moments that really stand out.”

Other participants she’s mentored who have won second or third place include Juanita Miller of Juanita Miller Nutrition, Kristy McLennan of PV Boulevard Coffee, and Kylee Howard of Vicky’s Play Place.

“I’ve established so many great relationships over the years. We stay in touch and get together. The value of those relationships is huge for me.”

Amy gives credit to VantageOne, her employer, for letting her make time in her busy schedule to volunteer for Enterprize Challenge.

For the many, many hours of dedication and passion she has brought to her volunteering, Amy was named this year’s Community Futures North Okanagan Volunteer of the Year.

Amy (C) receives the Volunteer of the Year award from Board Chair Michele Hill (R) and Vice-Chair Kara Kazimer (L).

“I’m very honoured,” she says. “I don’t think anything of it. I’m just so passionate about what I do.”

So passionate that she also volunteers, often alongside a Community Futures North Okanagan business services team member, at a similar entrepreneurial competition held for business students at Okanagan College.

Both mentees and students alike stop her when she’s out and about to share thanks, and she realizes how, over the last decade, she’s become a part of the fabric of the local business community.

“It’s been an amazing experience.”

The 2026 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Amy at the June Board of Directors meeting in recognition of her outstanding volunteer efforts.