Jeff Payne, Chair

Jeff has over 20 years of progressive public and private sector experience. With an educational background in political science, legal studies, and public administration, Jeff brings a breadth of experience and skills, having previously held Director roles in the municipal sector, supporting programs related to emergency management, freedom of information and privacy, information management, communications and in the role of Municipal Clerk.

As an active member of the local community, Jeff’s volunteer activities have included minor hockey, supporting school councils and the United Way. Jeff also served as the Vice-Chair of the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) Board of Directors, where he held the roles of  Chair of the Governance Committee, Chair of the Quality Committee and as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee.

Currently, Jeff is a member of the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Parks Task Group and he also serves as a member of the Conservation Ontario Insurance and Risk Committee. Jeff is the Commissioner of Community Services at the Town of Newmarket.

Scott Bisson, Director

Scott has worked in the public sector for over 20 years. Scott's  passion has always been sport and recreation and he is the current Manager of Culture and Recreation for the Town of LaSalle where he oversees facilities and services.

Scott has an Honours Bachelor of Human Kinetics degree and a Master’s of Human Kinetics degree majoring in Sport Management from the University of Windsor. He is currently an occasional instructor in the Sport and Recreation Management program at St. Clair College.

Scott and his family live in Windsor. He has two daughters who are highly active in sport and recreation, keeping their family busy year-round.

Emilie Cote, Director

Emilie brings 20 + years of diverse recreation experience. She is currently the Direction of Recreation, Community and Culture for the City of Burlington. She brings a passion for recreation, change management and a love for continuous improvement.

Over her career, Emilie has worked in the not-for-profit sector, in sports coaching, marketing, events, roads and parks, business services and more. Emilie is currently leading her team through various strategic planning initiatives, including but not limited to an Events Strategy and an accountability framework implementation for agencies, boards and commissions.

In her spare time, she loves to spend time outdoors with her 2 children and husband, play ultimate frisbee and practice yoga.

Graeme Ivory, Director

Graeme joined his hometown of Arnprior as its Manager of Recreation in 2018 and was promoted to the Director of Recreation role in 2021. In his 6 years in municipal government, Graeme has helped expand the recreation service offerings in one of the fastest growing municipalities and lead a pair of community-defining projects – the Waterfront Master Plan and the Recreation and Parks Master Plan. In addition to heading up the Recreation Department, Graeme also serves his community as a volunteer firefighter and coaches both hockey and soccer.  

Prior to joining the Town of Arnprior, Graeme was the Director of Communications with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group supporting the rebirth of Lansdowne Park – home to the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Ottawa Fury, Ottawa 67’s, TD Place and Lansdowne Live. During that time, he was involved with a variety of major events for both the stadium and the teams. He was also part of the Grey Cup winning REDBLACKS in 2016.  

Shanon Kalra-Ramjoo, Director

Shanon has a wide range of experience in provincial, regional, and local levels of government in various sectors including health, education, social assistance, public works, public health, and corporate strategy.

Shanon is currently a Director of Parks, Forestry and Horticulture Operations at the City of Vaughan. She has a degree in Public Policy and Administration from York University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Toronto and has completed an executive education program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Shanon is also an adjunct professor of public policy at Western University and is a member of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators.

Kari Lambe, Director

In a recreation, event planning and hospitality career that spans the last twenty-three years, Kari has connected her professional know-how with her personal passions. As Manager of Recreation and Facilities for Loyalist Township, she leads a diverse portfolio that ensures all municipal facilities, including recreation, parks and trails meet the needs of the community.

In the last 15 years, Kari has mapped and executed the G8 Summit of World Leaders and managed the venue for the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships, the Ironman Muskoka, and Good As Gold, a fundraiser for Canada's national women's hockey team. 

When not immersed in her role as Manager of Community Services, you can find Kari lacing up her hockey skates, going for a run, or possibly headed for the softball diamond.

Katie Misener, Director

Katie Misener is an Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. She received her PhD in Kinesiology (Sport Management) from Western University after receiving a Master’s from the University of Windsor and a B.Kin from McMaster University.

Her primary research focuses on the capacity and social impact of nonprofit community sport organizations. Katie's research interests also include the role of sport and recreation organizations in community health promotion, and creating collaborative value through interorganizational relationships. Katie has published research articles in several high-profile academic journals. She works closely with community organizations in her research and teaching and volunteers on the Youth and Recreation Committee for the Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation.

Katie lives in Conestogo and enjoys an active lifestyle with her family through hockey, dance, skiing, swimming, and local theatre.

Jeff Pafford, Director

Jeff's passion for parks and recreation was first sparked with various jobs as a student working as a playground supervisor, parks summer student and outdoor rink attendant.  He has continued to work for the City of Greater Sudbury's Leisure Services Division in various, progressive roles, culminating with the Director of Leisure Services position in 2017.  As Director, Jeff is responsible for the areas of arenas, cemeteries, parks and recreation, providing leadership to the Division's 90 full-time employees, 800 part-time staff and 300 volunteers.

A graduate of Laurentian University's Commerce program, Jeff has also obtained a Masters Certificate in Municipal Management and was part of the first cohort of the Northern Leadership Program obtaining a Certificate of Leadership from Laurentian University.

 
Jeff and his family enjoy the numerous parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities in Greater Sudbury.  He also volunteers with local grassroots sports, coaching with the Sudbury Playground Hockey League, Sudbury Minor Baseball and the Sudbury Youth Basketball League.

Courtney Rogers, Director

Born and raised in an active family, Courtney has been living, volunteering, and working in the recreation sector since she was young. From being a competitive swimmer and downhill skier to her first job as a volunteer camp counsellor then working in the municipal sector full time, Courtney's underlying passion has always been for people, connection, and recreation.

Courtney holds a diploma in Recreation and Leisure from Fleming College, a Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies from Brock University, a Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from Georgian College, and a Parks and Recreation Management Certificate from PRO & York University. She is also a certified HIGH FIVE© trainer and is currently working towards becoming a Certified Recreation Facilities Professional (CRFP).

As a Youth Centre Coordinator for Clearview Township, Courtney is passionate about providing people with opportunities for connection, community, and recreation. Courtney resides in the Georgian Bay area with her partner and young daughter whom she shares a love of recreation with.

Kristina Zietsma, Director

With over 27 years in municipal recreation management, Kristina currently holds the role of Director of Recreation and Culture for the City of Mississauga, overseeing a variety of portfolios including programming, events, facilities, golf, food services, community development, standards and training.

Kristina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Schulich School of Business at York University and several certifications including HIGH FIVE©.

As an advocate for recreation and healthy living, Kristina is a committed volunteer with her local soccer club and with the Peel/ Halton Chapter of JDRF as an advocate & mentor.  A mother to three active kids, she spends much of her free time outdoors swimming, hiking, running and cheering from the sidelines as a proud soccer mom.