Board and advisOrs
Board of Directors
The following prominent and influential Canadian leaders are members of the national, volunteer Board of Directors of ParticipACTION.
Laura Richard
(Chair)
Laura Richard is a Principal at Level5 Strategy, a boutique management consulting firm based in Toronto that specializes in strategy and transformation services through the lens of a brand. Passionate about helping her clients solve their most pressing business challenges, Laura leverages cross-functional data, innovative thinking and alignment building to drive sustainable growth through ownable and actionable strategies. In her role at Level5, Laura’s core areas of focus include strategic planning, brand development and innovation, customer experience design and optimization, strategic partnership framework, negotiations and management and executive and team facilitation.
A graduate of York University’s Kinesiology program, Laura has been a lifelong advocate for health and physical activity. Laura commits herself to finding ways to move daily through organized and recreational sports and activities. Laura also co-founded and continues to serve on the Board of Donate Life Canada, a charity established to increase organ and tissue donation through the creation of a national registry.
Allison Radford
(Vice Chair)
Allison is the CEO of Rocky Mountain Liquor Inc. and has been an executive for over 15 years. She started her career at Deloitte, receiving her Chartered Accountant designation in 2005. Allison holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, Allison’s dedication to community engagement shines through her involvement in board roles as Vice Chair and Chair of the Governance and HR Committee at the Edmonton Humane Society, Vice Chair of the Alberta Liquor Store Association, and director of Rocky Mountain Liquor. Her contributions as a board member reflect a commitment to shared success, where her insights contribute to the strategic decisions that propel these organizations forward.
Allison is a passionate advocate for active living and community engagement, and she finds solace in Canada’s natural beauty. She enjoys her early morning sessions at Orange Theory and outdoor activities like cycling and hiking with her three Labrador retrievers.
Andrew Lue
(Vice-Chair)
Andrew Lue is a Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group and has experience in non-profit funding, finance, people, and digital strategies, and has a deep passion for sports and education. He graduated from the Queen’s Smith School of Business with an MBA and was previously a professional athlete in the Canadian Football League for five years, playing for teams in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec.. As a management consultant, his work has included projects in portfolio optimization, digital transformations, and operational excellence. As a non-profit Project Director for Concussion Legacy Foundation, Andrew developed strategic initiatives to advance the organization’s influence and tactically engaged collaborators and partners in the pursuit of mutual points of interest. Andrew is also a Career Mentor at Pathways to Education, providing academic and career support to students.
Dr. Paul Oh
Dr. Paul Oh is the Medical Director and Chair of the GoodLife Fitness Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation and Prevention at the University Health Network – Toronto Rehab and Peter Munk Cardiac Centre since 2014, and an Associate Professor, Clinical Pharmacology, at the University of Toronto. He obtained his M.D. from the University of Toronto in 1988 and completed specialty training in internal medicine, clinical pharmacology, and clinical epidemiology. Paul’s clinical focus over the last 30 years has been on cardiovascular risk reduction and he has participated on many national guideline committees (e.g., Hypertension Canada, Diabetes Canada, Canadian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (CACPR), Canadian Cardiovascular Society) with leadership roles in provincial (e.g., CorHealth Ontario; Heart and Stroke Foundation) and national advisory committees and professional associations around heart health, physical activity and policies. Paul has authored over 300 peer reviewed publications around cardiovascular health. Paul is also an avid racquet sports player, golfer and has completed 15 half marathons.
Dan Ouimet
As the Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, Dan is a member of the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) Leadership Team, where he leads the CBA’s national Government Relations team. Working closely with colleagues across the organization, Dan focuses on banking sector policy advocacy with governments and key stakeholders across Canada. Dan joined the CBA after a successful term as the Senior Vice President of External Engagement with Futurpreneur Canada, where he focused on growing and diversifying corporate, government and individual fundraising as well as donor and public relations. Dan’s public sector experience includes a term as the Chief of Staff for Ontario’s Minister of Research, Innovation and Science, working closely with Ministry Officials and leading the Minister’s team in achieving the Minister’s and government’s priorities. He has also served in various federal government roles, including as a Senior Policy Advisor to Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
His professional experience has been complemented by a lifelong participation in sport. Having competed as a varsity athlete, he remains active in organizing sporting events and as an endurance runner and Ironman triathlete.
Chris Saniga
Chris Saniga is a tenured senior executive, board member, and avid community volunteer. Chris is the Chief Business to Business Officer for Staples. Prior to Staples, he was the Head of Canada for Meta focused on partnering with Canada’s largest companies to drive business results through the Meta family of apps and services. Chris brings 25 years of senior leadership experience with global tech-leading brands including Deloitte, SAP, and Oracle. Chris is a McMaster University alumnus and recently completed a program at Kellogg School of Management focused on AI, Automation and Analytics.
Chris currently serves on the board of the Leaside Hockey Association as the VP of Sponsorships, is a Head Coach for his son’s teams, and has coached both daughters through the Leaside Wildcats organization. Chris integrates daily physical activity into his life by being on the ice as a coach, playing hockey as a goalie weekly, attending F45 classes and walking the many foster dogs that come into the Saniga household regularly.
Camilla Sutton
Camilla is MD and Head, Product Management Canada & UK, Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets. Prior to this role, Camilla was the President and CEO of Women in Capital Markets (WCM), a national not-for-profit that aims to accelerate gender diversity across financial services. Her career spans more than two decades in capital markets, including as Scotiabank’s Global Head of Foreign Exchange, responsible for the firm’s FX trading desks, electronic trading and distribution, sales teams, and the global strategy. Prior to this role, she was Scotiabank’s Chief FX Strategist, providing global macro commentary and advisory services across the firm’s client base. Earlier in her career, she was part of Portfolio Management at OMERS and Equity Research at BMO Capital Markets. Camilla holds a BA from Dalhousie University and an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business. In addition, she is a CMT, CFA charter holder and ICD.D. In addition to being on the board of ParticipACTION, Camilla is a past member of the CFA Society Toronto’s Board of Directors and was previously a member of the Bank of Canada’s Foreign Exchange Committee. She is also a member of several committees within the United Way and several other community organizations.
Kenda Shaheen
Kenda Shaheen is a partner at Dentons Canada LLP in the Business Law Group, with a focus on venture technology. She frequently works with emerging growth companies operating at the forefront of innovation. Kenda advises on corporate matters, including corporate governance, and all stages of venture financing. Her role is rarely limited to being a legal advisor and often requires her to be a trusted business advisor who can provide practical suggestions for a business, including fundraising strategies, operating with a limited budget and managing risk.
Kenda earned her Juris Doctor from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. Throughout her career, she has actively sought opportunities to give back. She has coordinated and participated in an inner-city youth legal education and outreach program, is an active member of Dentons Canada’s Student Committee and frequently acts as a mentor to young lawyers and law students.
Once a semi-professional ballerina and now a marathoner-to-be, Kenda maintains an active lifestyle outside of her practice. She participates in the Terry Fox Run, CIBC Run for the Cure and Sporting Life 10K each year. Kenda cherishes meditation in her own movement and frequently relies on morning runs to set intention for the day ahead.
Charlotte Sobolewski
Charlotte Sobolewski is a Partner and Ernst & Young’s National AI Leader for Consumer Products, Retail, and Life Sciences. With nearly 20 years of experience, she is known for leading complex technological transformations across North America and globally. Charlotte combines deep expertise in strategy, AI product development, change management, and portfolio execution—helping clients deploy AI and digital solutions that deliver measurable business outcomes.
A former world record holder and nationally ranked rower, Charlotte continues to live the values of movement and resilience. She actively competes in HYROX events, runs half marathons, and is a dedicated gym-goer. She believes in the power of physical activity to energize individuals and strengthen communities—values that align closely with ParticipACTION’s mission.
Christian Alexander von Donat
Christian has extensive experience working in the public sector across Canada. He is a well-travelled strategist, having led federal, provincial, municipal and internal campaigns both politically and on behalf of his clients. He regularly leads strategic development, policy development, liaises with national and local media, builds successful advocacy campaigns and furthers stakeholder relationships.
In his ten years with Impact Public Affairs, he has led comprehensive government and media relations campaigns at both the federal level and across provincial jurisdictions. Christian is a recipient of the 2018 Government Relations Campaign of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society.
Christian graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts with combined Honours in Political Science and German Language and Literature. He holds an MBA from Cornell University as well as an MBA from Queens University.
Victoria Lennox
Victoria Lennox is a nationally recognized leader in public policy, government relations and innovation. She is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC). As the founder of Startup Canada, she mobilized the country’s largest network of entrepreneurs and worked closely with federal departments including PSPC, ISED, ESDC and the Treasury Board to advance inclusive economic policies, digital transformation, and procurement reform. She has launched and grown national and global organizations that continue to operate as enduring institutions focused on entrepreneurship, economic development and systems change.
Victoria brings to ParticipACTION a deep understanding of government engagement, stakeholder mobilization and mission-driven leadership alongside an entrepreneurial and innovative drive. A passionate advocate for mental health and holistic wellness, she maintains a regular yoga and meditation practice and finds balance through running and time in nature. She holds a master’s degree in Global Governance and Diplomacy from the University of Oxford and has been recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal and the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
Lindsay Colley
Lindsay Colley is currently the Associate Vice President, ESG Strategy & Integration at Canadian Tire. She is responsible for driving the implementation and integration of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices across the Canadian Tire family of companies, with specific accountabilities for climate, circularity, waste, community impact, culture and reporting. She has also taught ESG at both the University of Toronto and York University for many years.
Outside of her professional endeavours, Lindsay is active in her community. In 2017, she was named an Action Canada Fellow and provided climate change policy recommendations to the federal government. She has previously served on the boards of Fairtrade Canada, the Toronto Public Library and the Canadian Environmental Association, among other volunteer activities. She loves acroyoga, hiking, public libraries and stewarding her local Buy Nothing group.
Research advisory group
Dr. Guy Faulkner
(Chair), Professor, CIHR-PHAC Chair in Applied Public Health, Faculty of Education, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia
Dr. John Spence
Professor and Vice Dean, Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta
Dr. Norm O’Reilly
Dean, Graduate School of Business, Professor of Sport Management & Marketing, University of Maine
Dr. Ryan Rhodes
Professor, Director of the Behavioral Medicine Lab, School of Exercise Science, University of Victoria
Dr. Amy Latimer-Cheung
Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair, Tier 2 – CIHR in Physical Activity Promotion and Disability, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University
Dr. Mark Tremblay
Director, Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute
Dr. Leah Ferguson
Associate Professor, College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Eun-Young Lee
Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University
equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (edia) advisory group
Kabir Hosein
Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives at Sport for Life, focused on equity-deserving groups and resources for new participants in sport in Canada
Varsha Naik
Executive Director at The Regional Diversity Roundtable
Pinder Da Silva
Inclusion Diversity Equity and Anti-Racism, Municipality of Clarington
Hayley Degaust
Health and Wellness Consultant, Ever Active Schools
Dr. Young Lee
Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen’s University
Mandy Cronin
Head of Corporate & Sports Partnerships at You Can Play