Cathy Jo (CJ) Noble has served as the CEO for the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) for the past 11 years. She recently announced that she will be leaving the organization to embark on new challenges. She will be truly missed by the CPRA Board, members and staff.
“CJ took CPRA from an organization that was just finding itself 11 years ago, to being a robust and thriving leader for parks and recreation in Canada and internationally,” says Mike Roma, CPRA President. “Her ability to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between the provincial and territorial partners, to navigate the political landscape at a federal level, and to lead her growing complement of staff, has positioned CPRA for success in the future.”
CJ helped grow CPRA in many ways over the past decade. Among numerous achievements, she led the development of the Framework for Recreation and Parks for All, secured new funding opportunities for the sector, launched the CPRA’s online community the Bench and prioritized initiatives to support truth and reconciliation and anti-racism. She also aptly helped the sector navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although CJ was not originally from parks and recreation when she started her role 11 years ago, she quickly became a champion for the sector. She was – and still is – unwavering in her dedication to promoting the benefits of parks and recreation for all Canadians.
Throughout her time at CPRA, she was respected for her honest and straightforward approach to tackling issues, her ability to rally people together, her willingness to listen to what was important to the sector and navigate the best path to success, and always, her sense of humour.
The CPRA staff appreciated CJ’s outstanding management and leadership qualities. She built a team of individuals that are dedicated to the work of CPRA, and to each other.
CPRA is actively seeking a new CEO and hope to have this new leader in place by the second quarter of 2022.
