Say hello
to the team
Our team is made up of a passionate group of individuals who believe that physical activity and sport make Canada a better place to live, work and play. We hope to see you out on the court, rink, trails and fields.
ParticipACTION team
Elio Antunes
President & CEO
As the President & CEO, Elio is responsible for the organization’s strategic direction. Elio has 30 years of experience in the physical activity sector, managing marketing, creative development, government relations, partnership building and sponsorship procurement. He enjoys long walks, racquet sports and has recently taken up curling.
Shauna Pichosky
Chief Marketing and Digital Officer
In 2018, Shauna joined ParticipACTION leading the marketing, communications and digital teams. She brings more than 20 years of experience working at organizations such as TSN, NASCAR, Insight Sports and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Shauna has a passion for getting active, and you can find her enjoying the outdoors at the cottage most weekends.
Aura Molnar
VP Business Operations
Aura has been with ParticipACTION since 2012. She has extensive experience in financial operations and managerial accounting for both profit and non-profit organizations. A retired Krav Maga and Muay Thai practitioner, Aura has substituted ping-pong sessions and gym training for kicking her opponents during sparring sessions.
Diana Dampier
Sr. Director of Projects and Stakeholder Relations
Diana joined ParticipACTION in 2008. In 20 years, she sat as the Exec Director of Active Living Coalition for Older Adults and held consulting roles with the Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada. Her favourite activities include riding her bike, playing beach volleyball, swimming and hiking. And she just recently discovered kettlebells.
Rebecca Jones
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
Rebecca joined the ParticipACTION team in 2013. She has over 20 years of experience in marketing and communications in the non-profit sector and brings expertise in leading integrated national marketing communications campaigns. She enjoys both group and solo activities to stay active, including curling, walking her dog, cycling, and gardening, and strongly prefers to get to and from places on her own steam.
Mark Dickie
Director of Digital Solutions
Mark joined ParticipACTION in early 2022 and has a long history of mixing his love of sport and physical activity with his love of technology. He previously worked with Rogers Sports & Media, the Canadian Hockey League and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, leading digital teams in the areas of digital product, marketing, strategy and user engagement. Mark enjoys both playing and coaching hockey in the winter and water skiing, paddleboarding and fishing in the summer.
Jon Malton
Director of Partnerships
Jon joined ParticipACTION in 2015 after spending over a decade in the sport sponsorship agency world. Jon strives to create and cultivate lasting relationships between ParticipACTION and corporate Canada. Away from work, Jon can be found running or cycling the mean streets of Toronto or throwing rocks at Royal Canadian Curling Club.
Dr. Leigh Vanderloo
Scientific Director
Leigh joined the ParticipACTION team in 2017. After completing her PhD in health promotion (exercise science) at the University of Western Ontario in 2016, she went on to complete a research fellowship at SickKids Hospital in Toronto. She is a huge horror movie buff, foodie and tea aficionado. When she’s not walking her pup Lexie, you can find her hiking, camping (summer or winter!), dancing or playing volleyball.
Dr. Brianne Bruijns
Report Card Project Manager
Brianne joined ParticipACTION in 2023. She completed her PhD in health promotion at the University of Western Ontario in 2021 and worked as a Grants Officer for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute before returning to Western in 2023. Brianne is a CIHR Health System Impact Fellow and splits her time between Western and ParticipACTION. She is an avid traveler and loves to find a hiking trail wherever she goes!
Stacy Halonen
Project Manager
Stacy has been with ParticipACTION since the summer of 2018. With a degree in sport administration from Laurentian University, Stacy’s background has been focused on project planning for events such as the Vancouver Olympics/Paralympics, the 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games as well as several Canada Games. To stay active, Stacy enjoys skating, CrossFit or throwing on sneakers and taking his dog for a spin.
Wasif Chaudri
Digital Manager
Wasif joined the ParticipACTION team in 2019, previously managing the web portfolio for a non-profit health agency serving Ontarians. Away from his desk job, he enjoys keeping fit in the gym and pick-up games of basketball and soccer. When he’s able to leave work behind, he enjoys leaving the country to travel and explore new landscapes, other cultures (mostly for the food) and dive or snorkel in tropical waters.
Adam Hunter
Content Specialist
Adam joined the ParticipACTION team in 2021. He has over seven years’ experience working in marketing and communications in the non-profit sector, having previously worked at a nature conservation charity and a hospital foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, cycling, hiking and scuba diving.
Erin Brown
Marketing Specialist
Erin joined the ParticipACTION team in 2018. With a passion for marketing, health and fitness, she decided in 2017 to leave her job of five years and pursue her passion through George Brown College’s Sport and Event Marketing program. Erin loves to be outdoors and enjoys cross-country skiing, running and hiking.
Zamin Qureshi
Digital Specialist
Zamin joined ParticipACTION in October 2022 as the Digital Specialist, assisting with optimizing digital channels and web platforms. He is a University of Toronto alumnus and has previously worked in the non-profit sector. Outside of his professional career, he enjoys frequenting restaurants, reading books and photography. Zamin believes in being holistically healthy and that mental and physical health are parts of a whole.
Liz Li
Digital Marketing Specialist
Liz joined ParticipACTION in October 2022. She has diverse working backgrounds in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and now in Toronto. Liz previously worked in public relations and event industries. She has more than four years of experience in public relations, communications, marketing and event planning. Liz finished her Master’s degree in creative media at City University of Hong Kong and recently finished a wine and beverage program at George Brown College. She loves hiking, swing dance and participating in HIIT workouts in her spare time.
Robin Tonbazian
Evaluation Specialist
With a Master’s in Public Health from Queen’s University and experience researching and leading youth programs, Robin’s career has focused on supporting opportunities for well-being, learning and play for youth. She is passionate about applying an equity lens to evaluating programs in the sport and recreation sector. As you read this, Robin is likely taking a yoga class at the YMCA or on a coffee walk with friends.
Stephanie Ehmke
Social Media and Marketing Coordinator
Stephanie joined ParticipACTION in 2022, bringing over five years of experience managing social media accounts in the retail and healthcare sectors. With degrees in English, communications and digital marketing, Stephanie is no stranger to tracking trends and drafting snappy content. Outside of work, she can be found taking dance classes, downhill skiing or listening to an audiobook while exploring her neighbourhood.
Alexa Starr
Administrative Assistant
As a York University Alumni in the Department of Humanities, Alexa took an interdisciplinary approach to study, including several health and wellness courses. Having been introduced to physical activity’s benefits from a young age, Alexa has continued this lifestyle by enjoying activities like yoga, skating, swimming, cycling and badminton. Before joining ParticipACTION, Alexa worked in the hospitality and tourism industry, further fueling her love of travel. Having visited many destinations so far, she hopes this number continues to rise, further adding to her collection of culturally rich memories.
Hannah Elliott
Sponsorships and Grants Coordinator
Hannah joined ParticipACTION in 2023 after spending over four years working at Golf Canada. With a degree in Sports Management from Brock University, she is a big advocate of physical activity. Hannah tries to go to the gym five to six days a week and plays basketball. When not at work or the gym, Hannah can be found at the movies, sporting events, or at home, where she runs her crochet business.
Brianna MacLellan
Manager of Communications
Brianna joined ParticipACTION in 2023 after spending the first 10 years of her career in the high-performance sport and environmental sectors. She brings extensive experience in engagement and communications and spent close to 20 years in the sport of artistic swimming as a national-level athlete and coach. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Brianna hiking (year-round!), canoeing, indoor cycling or dancing.
Amal Qureshi
Relationships Manager
Amal Naeem Qureshi, an Ed.M graduate of Harvard University, boasts a decade of experience in impactful non-profit work in Canada and internationally. With an extensive background as a stakeholder, partnerships, and program manager, Amal has expertise in relationship-building, program management, research, and grants oversight. Beyond her desk, you can catch Amal powerwalking through the vibrant streets of Toronto – stroller in tow!
Joycelyn Williams
Accounting and Administration Manager
Joycelyn joined ParticipACTION in December 2023, with over 20 years of experience in accounting and finance from both non-profit and profit organizations. Outside of work, you will find her volunteering for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto as a stewardship coach and mentor for the new treasurer. She’s also been on the BIPOC TV & Film board as their volunteer treasurer for over two years. Joining ParticipACTION has made her 2022 vision to get healthy a reality and focus. She enjoys dancing, gardening, walking and, most recently, fitness training.
Siarra Safari
Human Resource Specialist
Siarra joined ParticipACTION in December 2023. She brings expertise with a master’s in management from Trent University and a master’s in human resources. This is backed by over nine years of experience in talent development, talent acquisition, performance management and employee engagement. Beyond her professional endeavors, Siarra enjoys participating in team activities such as volleyball, camping and climbing, as well as indulging in solo pursuits like yoga.
Cara Tiemens
Projects Coordinator
Cara joined ParticipACTION in January 2024. Having previously worked at Jays Care Foundation and the Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sports Association, she’s excited to continue combining her passion for physical activity and not-for-profit work. Cara completed her master’s and undergraduate degrees at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she played on the varsity basketball team for five years. Since then, she has found a new love of volleyball, weightlifting and hot yoga.