# Al Hildebrandt

> Al Hildebrandt founded QHR’s original software business and served as its president and CEO until 2015. Based in the Kelowna area, he later expanded his community fundraising and foundation work, received a UBC Okanagan honorary Doctor of Laws in 2021, and pursued property development through Impact UPstream Ventures.

- **Role:** President at Impact UPstream Ventures Inc.
- **Organizations:** QHR Technologies / QHR Corporation, Impact UPstream Ventures Inc., Impact Tomorrow (BC) Foundation, U-2000, Casa Loma Community Association, Child Advocacy Centre of Kelowna Society
- **Education:** Doctor of Laws (honorary; not an earned academic qualification), University of British Columbia, Okanagan
- **Known for:** Founded QHR’s original business and led it through June 2015., 2013 TSXV Tech Executive of the Year, presented January 2014., Kelowna Citizen of the Year for 2019, presented in 2020.

## Career timeline

- **1970s** — Worked as a police officer; public accounts differ on the city.
- **1981** — Moved with Irene to the Kelowna area on January 6.
- **1997** — Started the original business that became QHR; participated in U-2000 university advocacy.
- **2004** — Named among new appointees to British Columbia’s Premier’s Technology Council.
- **2014** — Received the 2013 TSXV Tech Executive of the Year award on January 16.
- **2015** — Retired as QHR CEO in June; Mike Checkley became president and CEO.
- **2015** — Al and Irene donated $100,000 in securities to Cops for Kids.
- **2017** — Became president of the foundation subsequently renamed Impact Tomorrow; helped promote Kelowna’s Global 6K for Water.
- **2020** — Received Kelowna’s Citizen of the Year award for 2019.
- **2021** — Awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by UBC Okanagan.
- **2023** — Purchased the Harvey Avenue property now housing Kelowna Events Centre.
- **2025** — Received the King Charles III Coronation Medal in February and outlined a conference centre and hotel proposal in October.

## Achievements

- Founded QHR’s original business and led it through June 2015.
- 2013 TSXV Tech Executive of the Year, presented January 2014.
- Kelowna Citizen of the Year for 2019, presented in 2020.
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, UBC Okanagan, 2021.
- King Charles III Coronation Medal, presented in West Kelowna in February 2025.
- Helped promote the 2017 Kelowna Global 6K for Water, which drew more than 680 participants and raised over $250,000.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Filed a defamation claim concerning comments after a tenant eviction at Kelowna Events Centre; broadcaster Laura-Lynn Tyler Thompson disputed the suit. Allegations were unproven in the reporting reviewed.
- **2025-10** — Outlined a proposed roughly 80,000-square-foot conference centre and 300-room hotel through Impact UPstream Ventures; it was seeking funding and support.
- **2025-02** — Received the King Charles III Coronation Medal at a West Kelowna council ceremony.

## Links

- Website: http://impactupstream.com
- LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/al-hildebrandt-992676110

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/al-hildebrandt
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25