B.A. '91 -
	Physical Activity and Health Promotion Consultant, Costas-Bradstreet Consultants
Career History Since Graduation	Since graduating in 1991, I have spent my career working in physical activity promotion. I spent a total of 18 years at ParticipACTION (10 years with the original organization and another 8 with the re-instated organization). Between the two, I worked as a Physical Activity Specialist with Hamilton Public Health and went to Brock University to complete a Master of Arts (Applied Health Science) in Health and PhysEd. I now operate my own consulting business.
Most Memorable York University Experience	I loved my entire time at York because of the people. I met some great friends but it was the professors that were truly inspirational. There are many to mention, but one in particular who had a great influence - Dr. Bryce Taylor. Dr. Taylor passed away while I was still a student but he was an important mentor. Following Bryce's death, Dr. Sue Vail assumed responsibility for the Sport Admin Certificate program and became one of the most important influences in my career - then, and to this day!
York University Anecdote or Highlight	The highlight for me was completing my degree as well as 2 certificate programs - 1 in Sport Administration and 1 in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counselling. I came to York as a "mature student" (not that mature), having worked as a Registered Nurse and was thrilled to be able to change my career from working in health care, to health promotion.
Highlight(s) of Professional Career	- Working with one of the pioneers of the physical activity promotion field - Mr. Russ Kisby - Having visited every province and territory (with the exception of Nunavut) as part of my work - Having developed an extensive network across Canada - Working with a number of other top practitioners and researchers across Canada - Leading the development of some key national initiatives including Active Canada 20/20 (a physical activity strategy for Canada) and Canada's Physical Literacy Consensus Statement - Combining my health care background with health promotion - Completing a Master's degree - Helped establish and create curriculum for Sheridan College's inaugural Exercise Science and Health Promotion degree program
Community Involvements/Contributions (Local to International)	2016 - currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) 2010-2013 - Member, Burlington Sport Council 2002 - 2009 - Led the Healthy School Initiative at a local elementary school in Burlington 2003-2008 - Served as board member, then co-chair of the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Active Living
Honours and Awards	- 2012 - Awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of contributions to physical activity promotion in Canada - 2006 - Received the OPHEA Award for Outstanding ContributionYORK UNIVERSITY • Tait McKenzie Honour Society • Dean’s Honour Roll, Faculty of Arts (3 years) • Stong College Master’s Honour Roll (2 years) • Master’s Award for Academic Excellence • Lily D’Urzo Scholarship • Faculty of Arts In-Course Scholarship • NSERC Scholarship • R.F. Price Scholarship • CAHPERD Student Award • Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics Honour RollSENECA COLLEGE • York Regional School of Nursing Distinguished Performance Award • York Regional School of Nursing Award