e-mail: liz@tamarackcommunity.ca
tel: (519)-885-5155
 

LIZ WEAVER - PRESIDENT

Tamarack - An Institute for Community Engagement

Liz Weaver recently joined the Vibrant Communities Canada team and is providing coaching leadership and support to Ontario community partners. Prior to this position, she was the Director for the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction, a cross-sectoral community initiative with a strategic focus on poverty reduction and the aspiration of making Hamilton the best place to raise a child. The Roundtable, among its many accomplishments, was recognized with the Canadian Urban Institute's David Crombie Leadership Award in 2009.

Liz brings a wealth of community based experience, knowledge and leadership to her position with Vibrant Communities. In her career, Liz has held leadership positions with YWCA Hamilton, Volunteer Hamilton and Volunteer Canada. She is currently a member of the board of directors of Parks and Recreation Ontario and is involved in the Access to Recreation Task Group. In 2002, Liz completed a Masters of Management for National Voluntary Sector Leaders through McGill University and her thesis 'Storytelling and the Voluntary Sector' was published. Liz was awarded a Queen's Jubilee Medal in 2002 for her leadership in the voluntary sector, was an Athena Award finalist and in 2004 was awarded the Women in the Workplace award from the City of Hamilton.
 

email: jennifer.reynolds@milton.ca
tel: (905) 878-7252 x 2180

JENNIFER REYNOLDS - PRESIDENT ELECT
Director, Community Services, Town of Milton

Jennifer has been involved in the field of parks, recreation and culture for over thirty years with a variety of progressive Municipal and Provincial Government positions. Following her career start in municipal government, Jennifer assumed a 5 year career move to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation as a Field Services consultant. In 1991, she returned to municipal government assuming the Director of Leisure Services position with the Town of Milton, eventually taking on a broader portfolio as Director of Community Services, the position she currently holds. 

In addition to leading the parks, recreation, culture, civic facilities and transit service responsibilities with her dedicated staff team, Jennifer has also held a variety of volunteer positions. Jennifer previously served on the PRO Board of Directors (Municipal Interest Area), Canadian Parks and Recreation Association Board of Directors as Ontario Regional Director, Ontario Physical and Health Association Board of Directors, and recently served as Co-Chair of PRO’s Policy Development Council.  Jennifer was the recipient of the CPRA Award of Merit in 2001, a Halton Athena Nominee in 2004 and recipient of the PRO Trillium Award in 2009.  

For over 25 years, Jennifer was a National and International Artistic Gymnastics Judge, representing Ontario and Canada at many major competitions and Games Events while furthering her passion for sport.  Jennifer enjoys travel and participates in a variety of recreational sport activities.  Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours Kinesiology) degree from the University of Waterloo and in 2009 completed a Master’s Certificate in Municipal Administration from the Schulich School of Business, York University.
 

DEREK EDWARDS- TREASURER
Director, Parks and Culture, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Derek holds over 30 years of expertise in the fields of outdoor recreation, community development, infrastructure renewal, and education. He began working for Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in 1979 and is currently the Director of the Parks and Culture Division. Derek oversees TRCA’s public use facilities including recreation, cultural & education centres as well as conservation areas, campgrounds and a golf course. Derek is a strong supporter of environmentally and financially sustainable communities, outdoor physical activity and barrier free access to green space. Acting upon TRCA’s vision of The Living City, Derek works to protect and restore the health of the nine watersheds that form the Toronto Region as well as promote recreation, culture and sustainable lifestyles.

Derek’s education and professional development background includes formal education in recreation parks operation & services and business administration.
 

e-mail: rob_armstrong@ymca.ca
tel: (705) 726-9622 x437

ROBERT ARMSTRONG

CEO, YMCA of Simcoes/Muskoka

Rob Armstrong graduated from Queen's University with a duel degree in Physical and Health Education in 1979. He has since augmented his education with advanced learning courses from the Universities of BC, Calgary, Queens, Western Ivy School and Harvard Business School.  Rob is a 26 year professional with the YMCA having been CEO of the YMCA of Owen Sound from 1990-1997 and Cambridge from 1997-2006. He recently held the position of Senior Vice President of YMCA Ontario. Within this position he provided consultation and support to all YMCA’s in Ontario with emphasis on working with Boards of Directors on strategic planning, governance and operational support issues.
 

HALLIE ATTER
Manager, Community Health, Peterborough County-City Health Unit

Hallie Atter has worked in Public Health for the last 13 years.  Over this time, she has worked in a variety of health promotion programs. Currently, she is the Manager, Community Health at the Peterborough County-City Health Unit.  In this position, she oversees programs that encourage safe, healthy and active communities by creating opportunities for people of all ages and incomes to make healthy choices.   

Hallie’s education background includes a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Ryerson University, a Bachelor of Education from Nippissing University and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Waterloo.
 

Hallie enjoys working with youth in her community as an active Board member for the local skating club.
 

SUE BARTLEMAN
Manager of Community Recreation, City of Toronto

 

Sue Bartleman has been in the municipal parks and recreation business for just over 20 years working in Cambridge, Scarborough and now the amalgamated City of Toronto.  Her current position has oversight for the programming and facility management of 35 recreation centres located in the Scarborough District. Prior to that she has held portfolios in parks, quality assurance and community development. 

Sue is a McMaster University graduate with a Honours degree in Physical Education and is currently finishing her Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Western Ontario.  Sue has sat on a number of not for profit boards in addition to volunteering in her community's neighbourhood association.

Sue's recreational pursuits include chasing her 3 and 5 year old kids, rollerblading and heading to the gym for a workout. She is looking forward to sitting on the PRO Board and learning more about the parks and recreation sector.
 

MICHAEL CLELAND
Planning Advisor, Master Plan Department, Municipality of Kuwait
Manager, Business Development, City of Mississauga (Currently on Leave)

Michael's education and experience bridges the planning and recreation sectors.  He has a masters of science in planning from the University of Guelph and a undergraduate degree in recreation from the University of Vancouver Island.  Like many recreation professionals, Michael's passion for parks and recreation was sparked early during summer student employment with the City of Nanaimo and the Town on Ladysmith on Vancouver Island.

Michael's background in policy, strategic and operational planning and marketing has been shaped through employment as a Senior Planning Consultant with dmA Planning and Management Services where he worked on master plans and feasibilities studies for municipalities and libraries throughout Ontario.  He currently leads a team responsible for marketing and business development in City of Mississauga’s Recreation and Parks Division as was responsible for the City's ActiveAssist program that provides financial assistance to lower income residents to participate in recreation.
 

Michael's committed to community service as a member and past president of the Rotary Club of Mississauga Lakeshore and as a volunteer for many events and groups that occur in his neighbourhood - Port Credit.  He's been a big brother with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Peel for five years.  Involved in Scouting for much of his life, Michael was appointed to the national board of governors of Scouts Canada from 2003-2005.  He's a member of Ontario Professional Planning Institute.

Michael's best marathon time is 3:46:52.  His current hobby is planning adventure travels to international destinations.

e-mail: mproctor@collingwood.ca
tel:  (705) 444-2500 x3238
 

MARTA PROCTOR
Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Town of Collingwood

 

Marta Proctor has had an extensive career with over 25 years of progressive positions in the Parks and Recreation field in both the Municipal sector and more recently also with the Conservation Authorities.  Her career began delivering recreational programs in several municipalities within the GTA to include the City of Vaughan, the former City of York and the amalgamated City of Toronto. 

In assuming senior positions, Marta took on the role of managing facilities and park operations.  Marta has also been involved in strategic planning initiatives at the corporate level with a specific emphasis on building strong and sustainable communities.  Marta spent approximately 3 years with the Halton Region Conservation Authority as the Director of Lands Services, which broadened her emphasis on outdoor recreational experiences, connecting individuals with nature and promoting environmental stewardship.  Marta is now the Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture with the Town of Collingwood where she is enjoying the opportunity of sharing and learning in a community that embraces a philosophy of inspiring confidence, wonder and a sense of possibility.

DONNA-LYNN ROSA
Director of Recreation, Community Services Department, City of Brampton

As the Director of Recreation for the City of Brampton, Donna-Lynn lives what she believes.  An active lifestyle and a passion for community have afforded Donnie the opportunity to coach in the National Women's Hockey League, leading the Brampton Thunder to two consecutive Clarkson Cups.   Donna-Lynn has been a teacher at Humber College in the Recreation and Leisure Program since 2005 and when not teaching she delivers motivational speeches to youth and sports groups across the province.  One of the first Ontario Women's Hockey League players to receive a full athletic scholarship to an American university, Donnie was captain of the undefeated ECAC championship team and first team All-American in her senior year.  She went on to be the assistant coach at the University before returning to Ontario to begin her career in recreation and continue her hockey in the NWHL as the "Fan Favourite" for the Thunder.  Inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame at Northeastern University, Boston, MA, #9 has also been retired to the rafters in honour of Donnie's leadership and commitment. 

As the co-founder of Shooting Stars Hockey, Donna-Lynn continues to give back to the community with this not-for profit hockey development company offering both jobs to youth and skill development for the house-league hockey players.  Aside from a formidable athletic career, Donna-Lynn is on the Board of Directors for Brampton Safe City and is and has been a volunteer for minor sports organizations in hockey, lacrosse and soccer.  She believes that the health of a community is paramount and is an avid supporter of events such as Carabram, Brampton's Multi-Cultural Festival.  An advocate for youth, senior's and people with special needs, Donna-Lynn brings passion and experience to the PRO Board of Directors.

 

Dr. Vail is the Associate Vice President of Teaching and Learning at York University.  For the past five years she as held the position of  Associate Dean, Student and Curricular Affairs with the Faculty of Health.  Susan has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Kinesiology and Health Science. Her doctorate was completed at the University of Ottawa in Education Administration, with a specialty in organizational effectiveness. 

In recent years, Dr. Vail’s research has focused on the application of community development models to sport and recreation environments to order to increase participation in physical activity and sport.  She has worked with Tennis Canada over the past eight years to develop a strategy called Building Tennis Communities which she is now in the process of modifying and testing for use with other community sport organizations.

Prior to her position at York, Susan was a consultant with the (then) Fitness and Amateur Sport Branch for eight years.  Her responsibilities included working with a portfolio of National Sport and Recreation Organizations to assist them with issues of organizational development and leadership.  Her knowledge of the national and provincial sport system in Canada is extensive.

email: jwilson@city.windsor.on.ca
tel: (519)253-2300

JAN WILSON

Executive Director, Recreation and Culture Department, City of Windsor

Jan has been involved in the field of recreation for over twenty-five years. She obtained her Bachelor of Human Kinetics Degree from the University of Windsor and went on to complete her Master of Arts Degree in Sport and Recreation at the University of Western Ontario. After a six-month contract with the Canadian Intramural Recreation Association, Jan worked with the London YM-YWCA in the areas of youth and adult fitness and recreation. She then headed back to Windsor to work in the Parks and Recreation Department as the Recreation Coordinator of Seasonal Facilities and Special Services. In 2003, Jan was appointed to her current position, leading the Recreation Department under the Community and Protective Services Unit. Jan is responsible for overseeing recreation programs and services delivered through community centres, aquatic facilities, arenas, sports fields and special event sites. Jan is also active in volunteering with girls and women's hockey, and working with students in the recreation field.
 

email: lketcheson@prontario.org
website: www.prontario.org
tel:  (416) 426-7143
fax: (416) 426-7371

LARRY KETCHESON

Chief Executive Officer, Parks and Recreation Ontario
 

Larry has been the CEO of Parks and Recreation Ontario for the past 13 years. Previously , he spent 11 years as a policy advisor with the former Ontario Ministry of  Tourism and Recreation and eight years as the National Program Coordinator for the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association.   He began his career as Director of a Boys and Girls Club in Nova Scotia and he holds a Master's Degree from Dalhousie University.

Larry's work and volunteer experience in the parks and recreation sector spans over 30 years, including serving for five years on the Board of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association.

Parks and Recreation Ontario
1 Concorde Gate, Suite 302
Toronto ON M3C 3N6