Our CPRA Staff

Martin Sampson is CEO at the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA). He is a dynamic and passionate leader who has been engaging in Canada’s national conversation for twenty years. Passionate about fully realizing the role parks and recreation play in building healthy and vibrant communities, Martin is proud to lead a team that represents the interests of the dynamic parks and recreation sector to Canada’s federal government. Ottawa is Martin’s home where he has been working in public affairs for two decades. To learn more about Martin, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-sampson-pathways-to-wellbeing/

Mjay Akande had extensive experience working with organizations to drive operational efficiency.

Mjay brings her experience from her role as events and marketing coordinator for Recreation Manitoba. Prior to this, she worked as a consultant coordinator for Andela where she was responsible for managing day-to-day operations. She also brings her experience working with distributed teams as she has coordinated projects spanning across territories and countries.

Mjay has a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Economics and Finance from Lancaster University, UK. She also holds a Master of Science in Finance from Queen Mary University of London.

In her free time, Mjay volunteers with St. John Ambulance and enjoys nature walks.

Joëlle Derulle has been the Training Project Manager at the Quebec Association for Municipal Leisure for more than 10 years. She is in charge of the annual training calendar, as well as the content of the three annual congresses. Joëlle was the Sogo Active Quebec Coordinator from October 2008 until July 2011 and worked with ParticipACTION and other provincial and territorial organizations to promote physical activity for Canada’s youth. Joëlle has also worked as a lobbyist in Europe for a sporting goods industry federation, after completing her studies in administration.

Christa Costas-Bradstreet has expertise in the area of physical activity and health promotion built on thirty years of employed and volunteer experience and an academic foundation in health care, physical education and applied health science.

Christa spent 18 years with ParticipACTION (the original and re-established organizations) in a variety of roles including National Project Coordinator, Director of Health Communications, and Relationship Manager. Christa also spent five years at Hamilton Public Health Services as a Physical Activity Specialist. She has taught at York University and Sheridan College and helped establish Sheridan’s Exercise Science and Health Promotion degree program.

Christa currently operates her own consulting business, working with a variety of government and non-government organizations in the physical activity, recreation and sport sector. She also currently serves as the Director of Partnerships for the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD). Christa is thrilled to be working with CPRA and its partners across the country.

In a volunteer capacity, Christa serves on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (Chair), the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability, and KidSport Ontario (Vice-chair).

Christa is a Registered Nurse, has a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Physical Education and two certificates (Fitness Assessment & Exercise Counseling, and Sport Administration) from York University, and a Master of Arts in Applied Health Science (Health and Physical Education) from Brock University.

Christa has two human daughters (Alexis and Zoe) and two feline daughters (Amazing and Grace). She loves them almost as much as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors!

Sarah Wayne is a finance and accounting expert with 30 years of experience across a variety of sectors, most notably technology and not-for-profit.

Sarah has operated her own consulting business for the past 23 years, partnering with Canadian Parks and Recreation Association in 2010. Sarah has a built a strong track record of streamlining internal processes, strengthening internal controls, and identifying information and reporting improvements. She is strongly committed to working collaboratively to meet organizational goals. In her free time, Sarah can often be found painting in her home studio or enjoying the nearby Ottawa River.

Sarah has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario.

With over 20 years of experience as an administrative assistant and business manager, Sophie now specializes as a virtual assistant. Passionate about the arts, she combines them with administrative tasks. Personalization of documents, creation of visual content or business assistance, Sophie brings her colorful touch to the teams she supports.

Mother of 3 children and a full-time worker, she knows how to be efficient and organized. Versatile and curious, she has studied and worked in several fields such as damage insurance, hotels, and interior design. She is always in training and looking for new knowledge to add to her background.

Her work is based on her experiences, aspirations, and talents. Her thirst for knowledge makes her a motivated and open ally with her work team.

Jay Strauss is a communications expert with more than 15 years of experience.

Jay spent seven years working on Parliament Hill. While working in the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, Jay managed all aspects of the Prime Minister’s website including design, content and development. Following that work, he educated numerous senior officials on how to launch and utilize social media campaigns. After his time in politics, Jay joined the clean technology sector where he used digital communications tools to promote the industry.

Earlier in his career, Jay founded the largest Canadian-based, teen-targeted web community before selling the website to an American firm within three years of its creation.

Jay attended Carleton University for his B.A. in Political Science.

Diane English, M.A., is a consultant with more than 30 years’ experience in media, arts, government relations, and municipal and non-profit parks and recreation. She brings a wealth of knowledge of legislation and operational policies for parks and recreation including childcare, municipal planning, and accessibility and inclusion as well as extensive experience in strategic planning, public consultation, communications and project management.

Prior to re-establishing her own management consulting company, Diane English led the government relations and policy work for Parks and Recreation Ontario, a provincial association for the sector. Working with municipalities of all sizes, Diane gained a deep understanding of the importance and benefits of recreation, parks and culture for healthy and vibrant communities. Diane also enjoys a part-time work as a professional singer and a certified fitness instructor.

Erin Love is a leading communications and organizational management consultant who specializes in driving growth and development of charitable and not-for-profit organizations across Canada.

Erin brings over 15 years of progressive leadership experience, with expertise in securing and delivering large scale initiatives, and management of critical government relations.

Erin’s experience crosses various sectors including healthcare, sport, recreation and academia. She holds Bachelors degrees in Science and Physical & Health Education from Queens University, as well as a Bachelor of Education from the University of Ottawa.