Meet OFPA’s Board
Board of Directors
The Okanagan Foster Parent Association is managed by a Board of Directors with fostering experience and hearts of gold!
Melanie Filiatrault
Melanie and her family have been devoted to fostering children for as long as anyone can remember. They are experts when it comes to caring for kids with support needs, providing them with the extra medical attention they need.
Melanie has a wealth of experience and has been a member of the Okanagan Foster Parents Association for years. Melanie has also been actively involved with the BCFPA since 1995, holding various leadership positions at the local, regional, and provincial level.
From 2006 to 2010, Melanie served as the President of the Provincial Board, leading with passion and determination. Melanie is an inspiration and legend in the foster care community!
Marilyn Marshall
Marilyn dedicated 14 years of her life to provide foster care to high-risk youth, primarily teen girls. Throughout her journey, she demonstrated commitment to their well-being and personal development. Marilyn’s dedication led her to hold positions such as vice president and president of the Sunshine Coast Foster Parents Association, as well as a member-at-large of the Shuswap Foster Parents Association.
In 2010, Marilyn embarked on a new chapter in her life, choosing to retire and join her partner to work on their farm and manage their beef cattle operation in Salmon Arm. This transition allowed her to channel her nurturing spirit and create a fulfilling lifestyle.
In 2016, Marilyn embraced the opportunity to join the OFPA. She is part of a team that truly values education, support, and advocacy for Foster Parents. Marilyn’s presence on the OFPA Board is a testament to her optimism and dedication to make a positive impact in the lives of those who need it most.
Rachel Collins
Rachel joined the OFPA Board as Secretary in 2018, bringing a passion for foster care and a special place in her heart for supporting youth and foster families.
Rachel and her husband, Robby, began their fostering journey in 2012. After many years of fostering, Rachel retired from foster parenting as their bonus children grew up and transitioned into providing home-share support for adults with disabilities. She continues to make a meaningful difference by creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive home where individuals can thrive and experience a sense of belonging.
Rachel’s commitment to the mission and vision of OFPA is rooted in her belief that foster parents play an essential role in the lives of children and youth in care. She is passionate about ensuring foster families have the support and resources they need to provide stable, nurturing homes where children and youth can develop the confidence, resilience, and life skills to lead a meaningful, fulfilling life.
Renye Lebel
Renye has dedicated her career to the protection and well-being of children since the mid-1980s. She began as a Child Care Worker, supporting families at risk of losing their children, before becoming a Child Protection Worker with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). During this time, she worked extensively with street-entrenched youth in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside before advancing to the role of Clinical Supervisor in the Family Services stream in Vancouver.
Her passion for Indigenous approaches to parenting, family wellness, and healing led her to serve as a Team Leader in three communities across Northern British Columbia. She later transferred to Kelowna, where she spent the final decade of her MCFD career specializing in child protection services for Indigenous and Métis families.
Following her retirement from MCFD in 2016, Renye continued her commitment to children and families by joining Métis Community Family Services. She first served as a Consultant and later as Executive Director, a role she held until April 2021.
Throughout her career of safeguarding the lives of vulnerable children, Renye has always held a deep respect and gratitude for foster parents who open their hearts and homes to children who have experienced trauma. She recognizes the compassion, resilience, and commitment required to provide safe, stable, and nurturing care. Renye continues to value the essential role foster families play within the child protection system and feels privileged to contribute to supporting them through her work with the OFPA.
Joan Freed
Joan joined the OFPA Board in 2026, bringing with her decades of experience in social work and foster parenting, along with a lifelong commitment to supporting children and families. Joan and her husband, Ron, have been blessed with a large family, including six children, 20 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Family has always been at the heart of their lives, and their home has been a place of love, activity, and welcome.
Joan began her career as a social worker with the Ministry in 1987, serving in roles including child protection, adoption, family services, and continuing care. In 2001, she transitioned to Interior Health, where she continued her social work career until retiring in 2009. In 1996, Joan and Ron began their fostering journey, and after retiring from social work, Joan dedicated herself to fostering full-time until September 2025. Over nearly three decades, they welcomed many children into their home, creating lasting memories and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
Following her retirement from fostering, Joan was encouraged by fellow board members to join the OFPA Board. She is grateful to be part of an organization dedicated to supporting foster parents and children in care. Joan continues to be inspired by the dedication and passion of the OFPA Board and Foster Parent Coordinators and feels honoured to contribute to the important work of supporting foster families across British Columbia.