Ottawa, ON – The Canada Games Council (CGC) Board of Directors has officially welcomed four new Board members into the Canada Games family. Each of the new members possess unique skills and expertise, along with an unwavering passion for amateur sport
Following a national call for interest resulting in 35 nominations from across Canada, and a comprehensive review process conducted by the Nominating Committee, the CGC is pleased to announce that Fauna Kingdon, Judy Joseph-Black, Karen Menjivar, and Rick Ramsbottom were elected to the Board during the September Annual General Meeting. Lynn Blouin, Cheri Bradish, Catriona Le May Doan, Blair McIntosh and Elaine Roper were also elected for their second terms on the Board.
“The goal of this Board nomination process was to identify Canadians with diverse backgrounds, who are leaders in their fields and have a passion for amateur sport and the Canada Games. We are incredibly pleased and excited to have found those qualities in Fauna, Judy, Karen, and Rick,” said Evan Johnston, Chair of the Canada Games Council. “We believe that the four new Directors will be incredible additions to our Canada Games family, complementing the existing team, and will help to elevate the Canada Games experience. Together, we will continue finding innovative ways to ensure that the Games leave a positive legacy in our communities and country.”
“I would also like to thank outgoing CGC Treasurer, Andy Gross, who has now concluded his time as a Director with CGC,” Johnston said. “We are all grateful to Andy for his significant contributions to the Canada Games since joining the Board in 2016 and wish him all the very best.”
To view the entire Canada Games Council Board of Directors, please click here.
Fauna Kingdon (based in Yellowknife, NWT)
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Fauna is a Chartered Professional Accountant with 15 years of progressive finance experience in the private sector, public sector, auditing firms, and retail industry. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Tlicho Investment Corporation and Group of Companies and also serves on the Board of Directors for lndspire, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting Indigenous youth in pursuit of post-secondary education.
While Fauna has Metis/Cree ancestry, she was immersed in Inuit culture while living in Nunavut for 20 years, where she was a competitive athlete which helped foster her passion for amateur sports, recreation, and volunteerism. Her work has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for outstanding contribution to Canada in 2002 and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award Youth Recipient in 2005.
"I am honoured and delighted to be appointed to the Canada Games Board of Directors and look forward to working with such an esteemed organization and inspiring individuals! After these difficult and uncertain times, we will all be grateful to gather and support each other through sports and recreation with renewed appreciation."
Judy Joseph-Black (based on Gabriola Island, BC)
Judy has been working in the Canadian sport industry for more than three decades as an advocate for athletes and coaches with a disability, women in sport, and Indigenous sport. She is currently a sports and communications consultant for provincial and multi-sport organizations and has extensive experience with amateur sport organizations including not for profit, government, and University. She currently works as an Event Manager for BC Seniors Games Society and her vast experience in communications and media relations also includes working with Team Canada at the Paralympic Games and Team BC at the Canada Games which she was involved in from 1993-2019. Judy has served on multiple provincial and national boards and is an active board member for the BC Wheelchair Sports Association, sits on the Athlete of the Year Selection Committee for Sport BC, and is a Nomination Committee member for the Victoria Sports Hall of Fame.
"The Canada Games has been an integral part of my sport journey throughout my career. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity to work with these professionals who love the Games as much as I do and give back to an organization that has given so much to me."
Karen Menjivar (based in Toronto, ON)
Karen has 15 years of financial experience in the banking industry, a strong background in strategic planning and risk management, and a passion for diversity and inclusion. Currently serving as a Regional Enablement Coach with RBC Royal Bank she has experience leading and participating in initiatives to recruit women in Commercial Banking, partnered with Women of Influence for the RBC Women Entrepreneur Awards, and is working with Ivey Business School to develop diversity and inclusion training for faculty and future MBA cohorts. Karen was born in El Salvador and raised in Edmonton, AB, where she was active in soccer, track and volleyball, before moving to Toronto to work in the finance sector.
“I am excited to be joining the Canada Games Council Board of Directors. I look forward to working collaboratively with this talented team to continue to connect and inspire Canadians through amateur sport.”
Rick Ramsbottom (based in Port Moody, BC)
Rick has 25 years of experience in sponsorship marketing, licensing, ticketing, and strategic partnerships within the Canadian sports industry. He has worked with professional sports teams, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Pan/Parapan American Games, and not-for-profits. He is currently the Co-founder and managing director of UNITE Partnerships Inc. and was also the Vice President, Sponsorship Sales and Partnership Services on the Organizing Committee for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. His current volunteer activities include serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of viaSport since 2016 and he has been the Vice Chair since 2018.
"I am passionate about the role amateur sport can play in inspiring young Canadians. I'm excited to bring the experience I've gained from working in professional sport and multi-sport Games to help continue the proud tradition of the Canada Games."
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Erin Mathany
Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Partnerships
Canada Games Council
Tel: 416-209-2142
E-mail: emathany@canadagames.ca
Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games are the largest multi-sport event in Canada for up and coming amateur athletes. Each Games features two weeks of competition, between 16 - 19 sports, approximately 3,400 summer and 2,350 winter athletes, and over 4,000 volunteers. Hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City in 1967, the Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity.
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible thanks to the contribution and support of the Government of Canada, provincial/territorial governments, host municipalities and the Canada Games Council.
