NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Bill Othmer

Board Member, Executive Director, Sport North Federation

Bill has been with the Sport North Federation since 1990 serving as Sport Consultant, Sport Manager and currently Acting ED. Having resided in several northern communities as Recreation Director prior to working at Sport North, Bill sees the direct impact KidSport delivers.  He believes that KidSport builds healthy, active role models and provides Northern Youth with the opportunity to participate in Sport. Bill has seen the benefits firsthand serving as Chef de Mission at Canada Summer/Winter Games as well as the North’s signature event; the Arctic Winter Games.  Many recipients of KidSport have moved on to be Athletes and Coaches at these events, as well as serving as Directors of Territorial Sport Organizations.  Creating “Good Citizens” thought Sport is important to Bill and he is grateful that KidSport makes this happen year after year.

Evan Andrew

Board Member, Director - Brand & Revenue, Sport Manitoba

As the Director, Brand & Revenue at Sport Manitoba, Evan Andrew oversees Marketing, Communications, Partnerships and Revenue Generation for the organization. Evan is a life-long sports fan who grew up playing hockey, baseball, soccer and golf, while closely following professional leagues and tracking team and individual statistics. Evan believes in the holistic power of sport and is proud to be part of an organization that works to increase access for youth to organized sport.

(204) 925-5606

Gemma Koughan

Secretary, Executive Director, Sport PEI

Gemma Koughan has been with Sport PEI for over 25 years, starting as a summer student and now is in the role of Executive Director for the federation. She holds a Master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of New Brunswick. She is a believer in the power of sport and being physically active, and spends her free time making sure that both are a big part of her life – past, present and future. Ensuring youth have the opportunity to participate in sport, and that they can experience the physical, social and mental benefits that comes with participating, is why KidSport is so important to her.

(902) 368-4110

Jamie Ferguson

Chairperson, Chief Executive Officer, Sport Nova Scotia

Jamie Ferguson is the CEO of Sport Nova Scotia, a not for profit, non government federation comprised of a membership of approximately 60 provincial sport organizations. Prior to Sport Nova Scotia, Jamie worked for Tennis Canada as the Senior Director of the four-province coalition known as the Atlantic Tennis Alliance. He also worked for several years in the coaching field, and had an opportunity to work as an international touring coach as well as being very involved in the certification system at both the national and provincial levels. Jamie is a member of many advisory committees and boards at both the provincial and national level. He is currently the chair of the board of KidSport Canada, and the chair of the Canadian Council of Provincial and Territorial Sport Federations. Jamie has also participated as a member of a working group comprised of government and non-government sport representatives who helped develop the process leading to the most recent Canadian Sport Policy. Jamie has been involved in KidSport in various capacities for many years, and believe strongly that every child should have the opportunity to participate in sport and reap the many positive physical and mental wellness benefits that sport can provide.

(902) 425-5450

Kathy Salmon

Board Member, KidSport Society of Alberta

Kidsport is near and dear to Kathy’s heart as she has been involved in Alberta for the past 26 years; as the first provincial director and then as a board member where she now serves as Past Chair. She is touched by the thank you letters parents and kids send to KidSport Alberta in appreciation of the fund-raising and sport partnership efforts so that kids can get off the sidelines and into a sport of their choice. Kathy competed in luge from 1984 to 1994 and represented Canada at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics. For years Kathy coached luge and facilitated public speaking and self-marketing courses for athletes at the Canadian Sport Institute. Kathy works for the Calgary Board of Education as a school principal. She specializes in supporting learners acquiring English as an additional language and is currently pursuing her education doctorate in language and literacy. She has three grown children and one step-child who all participated in sports growing up and has spent years behind the scenes as a team manager and volunteer for hockey, lacrosse and soccer. Kathy loves road cycling and enjoys triathlon. She has recently become a certified yoga instructor and is learning how to mountain bike.

(403) 836-2530

Nick McBride

Board Member, Accounting Manager, Sport Nova Scotia

Rob Kennedy

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Rob Newman

Vice Chairperson, President & CEO, Sport BC

(604) 333-3404

Sabrina Durepos

Board Member, Chief Executive Officer, Sport New Brunswick

(506) 451-1327

Tommy Wharton

Executive Member, KidSport Canada/KidSport Ontario

Troy Croft

Board Member, Executive Director, Sport Newfoundland & Labrador

(709) 576-4932

Farhan Lalji

Director At Large,

Farhan Lalji has been a fixture for TSN since 1997 where he mainly covers football as a Sports Broadcaster among other sports. He is a household name in the world of sport media and has covered 5 Olympics Games, 21 Grey Cups and 15 Super Bowls. Lalji was inducted into the 2024 Canadian Football Hall of Fame in May 2024 in the Canadian Football League Media Wing. On top of his incredible media career, Farhan Lalji has served as a KidSport Ambassador for KidSport BC for over 15 years.

Kathi Lomas McGee

Director At Large, KidSport Canada

Kathi Lomas McGee is the VP of Experience & Brand at YMCA Canada, a national office of 37 autonomous YMCAs serving over two million Canadians annually. Kathi leads national initiatives to address critical societal challenges, striving for operational excellence and promoting innovation. Kathi has been a community collaborator in innovative partnerships that have expanded services to underserved communities. Her leadership has guided significant organizational transformations, including mergers that expanded a YMCA from a $13 million to a $70 million entity to strengthen its impact and reach in Southwestern Ontario. Kathi is also an advocate whose collaborative efforts have secured multi-million-dollar funding that has supported investments in social infrastructure and the development of initiatives addressing issues facing children, youth, and marginalized groups. A mom of two active boys and a sport and recreation enthusiast.

Sami Nathoo

Director At Large, KidSport Canada/SportJeunesse Quebec

Sami Nathoo joins the board from SportJeunesse (KidSport) Quebec where he holds the role of Treasurer. Sami is currently the Manager, Financial Planning at Raymond James Limited and has close to 10 years experience in the Wealth Management space where he has managed a team of Financial Planners which provide Total Wealth Solutions to high net worth families.

Terrance Yuan Li

Director At Large, KidSport Canada

Terrance Yuan Li is currently the Vice President at Toronto Rush, responsible for developing new sources of revenue and investment as well as increasing brand visibility for the Toronto member franchise of the 24 teams professional league – the Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA), formerly the American Ultimate Disc League (AUDL). He is also a researcher at the Glendon Campus of York University to work with the Glendon ENtrepreneuriat et Innovation À L’international (GENIAL) to commercialize ideas and to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. Terrance will soon be joining a leading international law firm to start his legal career in Ontario Canada. Terrance used to practice sports and entertainment law in China, advised on media rights deals, licensing agreements, endorsement & sponsorship deals, and IP litigations.

Willa Minnes

Director at Large,

Willa Minnes joins the board as the current Founder of the WOWride Cycling Club. She has over 25 plus years of experience in events, marketing, sponsorship and community building and brings a spirit of entrepreneurism and experienced leadership to developing grass root ideas to reality. Developing and implementing strategic plans for the betterment of an organization and designing and activating philanthropic strategies to grow opportunities. Her range of experience that covers professional to amateur sports with a focus on events and sponsorship has allowed her to bring an in-depth perspective of “community” at multiple levels.

William O’Yeung

Director At Large, KidSport Canada

William O’Yeung currently also serves on the Board of Governors and Audit Chair at University of Calgary and is Co-Founder and Director of Escape with STEM, Vice-President/Vice-Chair of the University of Calgary Alumni Association. His background includes being a Chartered Professional Accountant with a Master of Business Administration where he enjoyed a 30 year career at Shell Canada in various Finance, Accounting, Planning, Strategy and Leadership roles.