Experience

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  Mohawk Students'​ Association (MSA) - Mohawk College

  • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

  • Executive Director

    • Nov 2020 - Present
    • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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  Bonobo Consulting

  • Calgary, Canada Area

  • Founder

    • Jan 2020 - Present
    • Calgary, Canada Area

    I help Sport, Recreation and Community organizations understand and prioritize fostering a sense of belonging leading to increased recruitment and retention of participants. With over 20 years of creating inviting, welcoming and inclusive programs, I will work with you to:- Assess your current practices and provide recommendations to your organization on how you can improve sense of Belonging through programs, place making, work culture and community collaborations- Increase registration & membership numbers while significantly enhancing participant's sense of Belonging- Develop | Facilitate training for staff to ensure they are actively fostering sense of Belonging among your participants- Develop work culture strategies to embed Belonging as a pillar of your organization, ensuring that inclusion policies and practices aren't just words on a page.I am also available for speaking engagements, Workshops and Conferences.

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  The Genesis Centre

  • Canada
  • Recreational Facilities
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Executive Director

    • Jul 2018 - Mar 2019

    Led the Genesis Centre, a $120 million multi-purpose complex that saw over 1.6 million visitors annually, acting as a recreational, cultural, social, and educational hub of the community.Oversaw strategic planning, staff leadership development, management of budget ($10,000,000+), marketing and communications, human resources, policies and procedures, revenue generation, strategic growth opportunities, grant and sponsorships, facility leases and contracts for the entire organization.Developed relationships with key stakeholders and partners including the City of Calgary, YMCA, Calgary Public Library, Calgary Board of Education, City Councillors, Member of Legislative Assembly, Sporting Associations, Mosaic Primary Care Network, Boys and Girls Club of Calgary, and Social Service Agencies.Facilitated strategic planning and developed a new Mission, Vision and Values for Board of Directors and staff to nurture and curate an inspired community .Researched, planned, and executed a unique programming model which utilized strategic partners directly linked to community demand, growing to generate a significant share of revenue, and incorporating diverse activities including recreation, social, cultural, and spiritual wellness.Created new staffing structure to improve efficiency, focus and leadership to achieve Mission and Vision while retaining financial sustainability and prosperity.Secured over $4 million of grant funding from Municipal and Provincial sources for facility construction and enhancements, employee training and development, cultural events, and community led initiatives.Led team selected as one of twenty international organizations for the Of/By/For All Change Network program to spark a global movement of civic and cultural organizations becoming more representative of, co-led by & welcoming for all

  • Customer Experience Manager

    • Mar 2018 - Jun 2018

    Responsible for creating memorable guest experiences in bridging people in shared celebration, learning and play.Developed new Guest Services Staffing Model. I am committed to service excellence and revamped this area which led to improved client satisfaction, financial sustainability, effective communication and staff leadership.Revamped Membership Strategy. Developed new membership pricing model and created more focused recreation opportunities leading to 25% increase in membership sales and stronger member satisfaction.

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  Mount Royal University

  • Calgary, Canada Area

  • Program Manager, Recreation

    • Oct 2015 - Nov 2017
    • Calgary, Canada Area

    Student Affairs Professional at MRU Recreation developing student leaders to create active, sustainable & healthy communities. We are driven by our promise to inspire healthy active lifestyles through fun, student led experiences. As the Manager of Programs, I provided leadership, professional management, coordination and supervision of the program components of the department. I ensured the acquisition, development, and successful utilization of resources to advance innovative, collaborative and inspiring programs for the full university community and beyond. I was responsible for the direct oversight of Experiential Learning, Fitness, Intramural Sports & Clubs, Climbing, Outdoors & Instruction and Aquatics, and the associated full-time and part-time staff.As a member of the senior leadership team, I helped to advance the strategic plan of the department through actions that inspired synergistic collaboration and excellence in one another.Successfully planned and executed campus-wide special events such as Colour U Blue Run, New Student Orientation, and Get Rec’d Expo which created a sense of belonging among students and campus community.Led creation of a competency based student staff development framework which inspired purposeful acquisition of new skills, provided guidance for assessing performance, and led to transformational leadership opportunities.Designed and implemented a Work Culture strategy leading to significant increase in staff sense of belonging.

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  University of Waterloo

  • Canada
  • Higher Education
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Associate Director, Campus Recreation and Business Development

    • Sep 2011 - Feb 2015

    Lead a comprehensive recreational program which fostered active, healthy lifestyles, and life-long learning through sustainable practices that enhanced the quality of student life. Supervised 5 FT Coordinators and 1 FT Manager and provided ongoing support and mentoring to over 1,000 PT Student staff and 40 senior student program coordinators.Developed and oversaw the execution and strategic planning of programming, student leadership development, risk management initiatives, budget management, human resource management, and information systems. Provided strategic direction to the Marketing Team related to Campus Recreation promotion, marketing, sponsorship, fundraising, print publications, and branding.Provided leadership and engagement opportunities to programs which resulted in an increase in participation from approximately 11,000 to over 30,000 participants a year.Developed strong, collaborative working relationships with campus partners including Plant Operations, Alumni, Health Services, Counselling, Student Success Office, Organizational and Human Development, Student Governments, Information Systems and Technologies, Procurement and Contract Services, Office of Registrar, Residence, Conflict Management and Human Rights, Staff & Faculty Associations, and Finance. Co-Developed Move Your Mind, a wellness initiative launched collaboratively with Health Services, whereby students diagnosed with mood disorders are prescribed recreation by their physician. Co-Developed the Campus Athletics Research Network which provides undergraduate and masters students an opportunity to, based on relevant research and theory, develop recommendations and help implement practical solutions to challenges faced by Collegiate Athletics and Recreation.Oversaw the IT infrastructure which included researching, developing, implementing and maintaining departmental information systems necessary to efficiently administer departmental processes

  • Campus Recreation Manager

    • Jul 2002 - Oct 2011

    Provides comprehensive recreational programming for the uWaterloo community that enhances the quality of student life through effective management of staff, recreational program delivery and development, adherence to university policies, leadership development and mentorship, and extensive internal and external relationship development with stakeholders.Campus Rec at uWaterloo is one of the largest programs of its kind in Canda, with over 30,000 programmed participants in over 300 recreational programs

  • Intramural Sports Coordinator

    • Jul 2002 - Jun 2011

    Administered over 15 intramural leagues and tournaments, which serviced over 18,000 participants a year, through program development, student engagement and customer service.Provided ongoing support, mentoring, and supervision for 8 Student Program Coordinators, 30 League Staff, and over 700 student referees through training and development programs, regular staff meetings, referee clinics, staff evaluations, and Campus Recreation policies and guidelines.Created a conduct review process which focused on helping students understand the Spirit of Competition program along with the student’s own sense of individual responsibility.Designed and created a comprehensive Intramural Website to aid in administrative functions of scheduling, standings, program information, team/roster management, referee assigning, participation statistical data, participant communications, and payroll.Responsibilities included recruitment, selection, evaluation, and mentoring of student staff, managing program budget ($500,000+), performing Conduct Reviews, purchasing of program equipment, providing customer service, scheduling facilities, managing web projects.

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  McMaster University

  • Residence Manager

    • Jul 2001 - May 2002

    Provided ongoing support and supervision for 16 Community Advisors and 3 Residence Program Assistants through training programs, regular staff and one-on-one meetings, staff evaluations, professional development sessions, and written guidelines.Mentored and advised student staff on all aspects of residence and university life, and provided a safe and enjoyable community living environment which is conducive to academic pursuits and positive social experiences.Oversaw and provided support towards staff implementation of educational programming based on the Wellness Wheel model that supports academic enrichment and personal development Other responsibilities included recruitment and selection of student staff, implementing residence policies, disciplinary regulations and sanctions, crisis intervention, a regular on-call shift.

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  University of Toronto

  • Program Coordinator - International Student Centre

    • Jul 2000 - Mar 2001

    Planned and implemented the Centre’s own educational, social and cultural programs for international students and worked closely with campus groups to develop joint programs. Promoted and coordinated non-academic programs with an international and/or multicultural focus for students and be a liaison to students on a variety of non-academic issues.

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  Canada World Youth

  • Kapuskasing, Ontario / Iguinaro, Ecuador

  • Program Supervisor - Kapuskasing / Ecuador Exchange

    • May 1999 - May 2000
    • Kapuskasing, Ontario / Iguinaro, Ecuador

    Provided support to 18 youth participants, both in Canada and in Ecuador and developed and implemented a results based education plan with such themes as personal growth, cross culture communication, and community development.Responsibilities included community relations, preparing and implementing group orientations and debriefings, managing project budget and overseas budgets ($80,000+), group facilitation, working in partnership with the overseas organization, enforcement of Canada World Youth policies and norms of behaviour, promotion of the program through media and public relationsCanada World Youth (CWY) is a world leader in the development of international educational programs for youth aged 15 to 25. We work with countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.

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  Katimavik

  • Waterloo, Ontario

  • Program Coordinator

    • Apr 1998 - Apr 1999
    • Waterloo, Ontario