Chi siamo | WHO WE ARE

kcic executive and board - 2026

Since 1966, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club has been an integral hub for the Italian Community in Kelowna. Through that time, our Executive and Board have always strived to provide a place to socially connect with others, a way to share a common heritage and a mission to contribute to the greater community. 
EXECUTIVE
President – Mary Bazzana 
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Vice-President – Anna Vigilante
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Secretary – Andrea Meyes
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Treasurer - Maria Mazzocca
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​Past President - Rosann Nanci
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​DIRECTORS
Joe Monna
​Luca Salis
​Simone Salis
Flavia Muresu
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TRUSTEES
Bianca Iafrancesco
Patricia Rantucci
Rita Conroy
Thank you to retiring board members who have completed their terms on the board.  Their time and dedication has been greatly appreciated by the membership.
Board members: Ricardo Scebba & Janet Gagnon
Trustee: Rhonda Ewen
Treasurer: Graziana Hoce
2026 EXECUTIVE & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rita Conroy (Trustee), Simone Salis (Director), Luca Salis (Director), Anna Vigilante (VP), Mary Bazzana (President), Maria Mazzocca (Treasurer), Joe Monna (Director), Andrea Meyes (Secretary) and Flavia Muresu (Director).  Missing Bianca Iafrancesco (Trustee), Patricia Rantucci (Trustee)

our executive

Mary bazzana

president

Mary accepts her new role as President with great respect to all who have led before her, and looks forward to blending the traditions of our past with the new accomplishments of our future.  She thanks all the Club members, the Club's future is bright!
Mary has been a Director on the Board since 2004.  Key areas of focus have been Membership and Bursary, as well as her involvement in many events and activities.  
Her parents were founding members, as were her other relatives, so she truly has been involved since birth, and seen the Club evolve since its inception.  
Mary feels a deep connection and appreciation for the customs and culture of her Italian heritage, and hopes to encourage younger generations to experience the warmth of connection, and the joy of involvement, as we together create the Club’s vibrant future.
A proud Nonna, Mary lives for multi-generational gatherings of ‘Italian-style love’ in the form of fine food, family, friends, and VQA wine.

anna vigilante

VICE president

Anna is a proud Canadian Italian born in Calgary, Alberta of Italian Immigrant parents Alfonso & Silvia Vigilante.  In 1974 the Vigilante family moved to Kelowna after many years of enjoying Kelowna and Okanagan Lake for their summer vacations.  She feels very blessed and grateful that her parents made the decision to relocate to such a beautiful part of the country.
Italian was spoken in the home and this allowed Anna to become fluent.  Moreover, she enjoys travelling to Italy often, not only as a tourist but to maintain close ties with family in various regions of Italy.  Travelling in Italy is also a refreshing opportunity to experience firsthand the changes in Italian society and to further deepen her roots.
From a professional point of view, Anna has extensive experience in both the hospitality and culinary industry, having worked in hotels in Canada and the USA.  She also had the honor of serving on the board of directors of Viva Musica Society for six years.
Anna is passionate about promoting, celebrating and preserving Italian Traditions and Culture.

andrea meyes

secretary

Andrea's involvement in the club is anchored in memory of her Nonni, who immigrated to Canada in the 1950s to embark on the Canadian dream.  Nonna and Nonno were proud Canadians, yet never forgot or lost their Italian roots; a strong pulse that remains in the family today.
Since childhood, Italian culture and heritage infused Andrea's life, whether through family, cooking, language, travel, music, or books.  Her post-secondary education included a minor in Italian studies, where she further delved into the rich and often tumultuous history of Italy.
​Andrea is grateful to be a part of the KCIC team and its initiatives: worthy endeavours to honour, preserve, and promote the legacy of her Nonni, and so many others like them, for their descendants and community.

maria mazzocca

TREASURER

Maria Mazzocca has been a member of the KCIC for 4 years now.  Her family was born in Venice Italy and immigrated to Victoria BC in 1958.  She is first generation born in Canada, loves her Italian heritage, and strongly values Italian culture.  Always full of enthusiasm and energy, Maria loves making connections with everyone at the Club.
She worked for TD Canada Trust for 25 years.  Her banking expertise and strong skills from working in many departments of the Administration field will be a great asset to the Club's Treasury position.  Currently, she is working for BC Hydro Call Centre since 2011 after her banking career.  

Maria loves to be involved with the KCIC as a volunteer, assisting in the kitchen whenever needed, greeting everyone at the door or assisting to facilitate our events. She looks forward to serve as Treasurer, learning and working with our Board members, and continually supporting our Community and Club!  ​

rosann nanci

past president

Rosann is a long time member of the Club having served as President from 2020 to 2024;  Vice President from 2018 to 2020, and has been on the Board of Directors since 2013. She has organized several of the large functions for our club including the 50th Anniversary Gala weekend, New Year's Eve Gala Dinner and Dance, and the Member's Gala Dinner & Dance. 
Rosann remains committed to the promotion of Italian culture and the preservation of our heritage in our community.  She encourages members of the Italian community to work together to maintain our social traditions; language, customs, and culinary arts.  She believes that through interactions with each other we can promote understanding, compassion, and a joy for life that is typically the Italian way of living.

meet OUR Directors

JOE MONNA

Joe Monna was born in Naples, Italy and immigrated to Calgary, AB Canada in 1970 at the age of 23.
He worked for the City of Calgary for 30 years (1977-2007) in maintenance and inspection. He also managed and ran his own construction business - Joe's Residential from 1972 to 2016.
He retired in 2007  and enjoyed spending time with his family and traveling to Italy, Germany and New York. He relocated to Kelowna in 2016.
He joined the Kelowna Italian Club in 2016 and started volunteering on and off. 
Joe is excited to serve as a  director and he looks forward to working with fellow board members to share ideas as he learn & grows in this position.

luca salis

Luca Salis was born in Trentino, Italy but spent the majority of his life living in Rome, until immigrating to
Canada in 2013. His late father Fernando was Sardinian and his mother Mirta from Trentino, where she
lives now along with Luca’s uncle.
Luca started his Canadian journey in Regina, Saskatchewan and then moved to Calgary, Alberta were he
worked as a drafter/designer in an architectural firm and later opened and operated his own renovation
business. In 2020 Luca and his fiancée Simone moved to the Okanagan to be closer to family and
friends, as she originates from BC herself, and have created a life they love. Luca is currently working for
a local developer in project management.
Luca is family oriented and passionate about travel, cultures and fashion. You can find him snow boarding in the winter or at the lake in the summer, and his favorite time is spent with Simone and their much loved pets. He joined the KCIC in 2024 and is looking forward to working with the board in
supporting the Italian community in Kelowna and growing its presence.

flavia MuresU

Flavia is proud to serve as a Director of the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, continuing a meaningful family legacy as her Nonni were longtime members of the club.  
Deeply passionate about her Italian heritage, Flavia is committed to preserving and celebrating Italian culture while fostering a welcoming and inclusive community. She brings a strong love for travel and Italian cuisine, and a background in people management and education, which support thoughtful leadership and meaningful engagement. 
As a Director, Flavia is particularly focused on attracting and engaging younger generations to ensure Italian traditions, values, and cultural celebrations continue to thrive within the club for years to come.
SIMONE SALIS