Established in 2016, Toronto Athletics Event Management Inc. (TAEM) is the not-for-profit corporation managing the World Masters Athletics Championships Toronto 2020 (WMATO2020).
John Craig
Chief Executive Officer
A former Olympic middle distance runner (1980) Craig has been an integral part of the Canadian track and field community for decades. For 12 years, he served as Managing Director of Athletics Ontario – the provincial governing body over the sport in the province. Craig played an integral role during the TO2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, serving as Venue Manager, for the East Zone Toronto venues. Launching TAEM along with business partners in 2016 to host WMATO2020, Craig is continuing to establish the Toronto brand as a world-class culturally diverse host.
Doug Smith
TAEM Secretary
As a masters athlete, Smith has competed at several international events and has become a fixture in masters track and field across the globe. He has served as Meet Director for various Provincial and National Masters Indoor and Outdoor Athletics Championships including NCCWMA 2017, and has been the official photographer of WMA events world-wide. Smith is the current president of Ontario Masters Athletics – the governing body over masters track and field in the province.
Simon Rayner
TAEM Director
Director, Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment Canada 27 year entertainment and artist marketing, sales and brand expert across two continents.
Responsible for leading project and marketing strategies and executions for the biggest names in music. Extensive experience across brands and partnerships from FIFA to credit
cards, TV broadcasters to charities.
National standard athlete: competed for England at Cross Country as a senior & Canada as a master.
Robert Jackson
TAEM Director
Fredericton-based lawyer currently managing the lawyers professional liability insurance department at the Law Society of New Brunswick. He has been involved in national and international sports officiating in tennis since 1987 and worked in that capacity at the 1999 Pan Am Games and at various national and professional tennis events since then.
Local Organizing Committee Advisory Panel
Doug Smith
LOC Chairman
Phyllis Berck
Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships
Director, Toronto Office of Partnerships at the City of Toronto. Phyllis was also a Masters athlete and a long-time advocate for gender equity in sport. She has been involved in the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, and worked on the 1996 and 2008 Olympic Bids and the Pan Am Parapan 2015 Bid and Games. For the Games she worked on the Pan Am and Parapan Torch Relay and community celebrations in Toronto and also volunteered at the women’s and men’s marathon and race walk events.
John Craig
TAEM Director
A former Olympic middle distance runner (1980) Craig has been an integral part of the Canadian track and field community for decades. For 12 years, he served as Managing Director of Athletics Ontario – the provincial governing body over the sport in the province. Craig played an integral role during the TO2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, serving as Venue Manager, for the East Zone Toronto venues. Launching TAEM along with business partners in 2016 to host WMATO2020, Craig is continuing to establish the Toronto brand as a world-class culturally diverse host.
Kristen Dajia
Throws
Ontario Teacher – YCDSB 1988 – present Board of Directors Throwers Club Toronto Board of Governors Aurora Sports Hall of Fame 2013 – present Throws Tie-down crew – Invictus Games 2017 Track and Field Stadium Crew – Pan Am/ParaPan Am Games 2015 NCCWMA 2017 – Throws Pentathlon Champion W54 Canadian Record holder – hammer throw, weight throw, throws pentathlon
Dr Damien Dupuis
Manager of Strategic Policy with the Ministries of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, and Research and Innovation. He is also a member of faculty at the University of Toronto where he teaches urban and regional economic development. Through his current and previous appointments as a consultant he has almost twenty years’ experience advising governments on strategic policy and planning at the local and regional levels in Canada, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.
Dr Michael Sherar
PhD, President and CEO, Cancer Care Ontario, Director, Canadian Masters Athletics
Jay Yakabowich
Awards
Jay is the Vice President and Marketing Director of Ontario Masters Athletics.
Jay has a proven track record in marketing and business development working with Canadian, US and UK markets. Areas of expertise: human capital, not-for-profit, K to 12 &
higher-education, publishing and healthcare IT / informatics. A competitive Masters roadrace athlete and since 2011, a member of the OMA board. In his day job the Senior Vice
President and officer of Career Edge, Canada’s largest provider of paid internships. Career Edge helps launch careers of millennials including recent college/university graduates,
professional new-comers to Canada and Canadian Forces Reservists by partnering with businesses to develop or enhance their diversity recruitment and inclusion strategies. Jay helps connect companies with amazing young talent, while giving job seekers the chance to break into the workforce and launch their career.
Brian Keaveney
Vice President of Competition – World Masters Athletics
Managers
Albert Tschirhart
Director of Competitions
1978 – 1983, 1986 – present, Our Lady of Lourdes HS, retiring as of June 30, 2017.
Primary subjects taught, economics, world issues, geography Athletic Director Our Lady of Lourdes HS, 2008 to present Coach Cross Country, Wrestling, Track and Field at Our Lady of Lourdes HS 1978 – 83, 1986-present
Coach Guelph Track and Field, 1983 – present.
Athletics Ontario, Western Region President 1992 to 2000Athletics Ontario, Board Member 1992 – 2007, 2014,
Sport Competition Chairman Ontario Summer Games 2001, Guelph Athletics Ontario, President 2002 – 2007
Athletics Canada, Board of Directors, 2008, 2009 President Guelph Track and Field Club 1980 – to present.
President D10 Athletic Association 2015, 2016
Irene Maguire
Manager of Event Support Services
An innovative project manager and team leader with 25+ years of experience in organizing
people and resources to achieve first quality deliverables for world class consumer product
companies. Project management, customer-facing communications, capability to execute plans to achieve organizational goals Core values – Accountability, Drive for Results, Energy/Effort, Integrity, Teamwork and Collaboration Recent Career Highlights :
GS1 Canada 2014-2016 Director, Industry Relations for General Merchandise Team Aqua Star Canada 2008 – 2013
Director, Marketing & Business Development
Loblaw Brands Limited 1997 – 2007
Director, Nutrition Innovation Team 2004 – 2007
Director, Product Development Team in Dry Grocery 1998 – 2003
Vanessa Sarjeant
Manager of Administration
2012 – Present, Administrative Coordinator for SportHamilton, the Official Sports Council for the City of Hamilton 2010 – 2017, Progressive roles of responsibility including Senior Manager with the Sport Fitness School at McMaster University – Athletics and Recreation Department Vanessa has been involved in Athletics for over 20 years as an Athlete, Coach, Official and
Administrator As a member of Stoney Creek Athletics and Toronto Track Volunteers, Vanessa has
volunteered at several major sporting events including:
The International Children’s Games, Hamilton Indoor Games, Toronto International Games
and the World Deaf Athletics Championships
Abidah Shirazi
(Brand Rebel) Marketing, Advertising and Strategic Planning
Chris Charlebois
(C2C Sports & Entertainment Inc) Marketing, Advertising and Strategic Planning
Race Directors and Advisors
Randolph Fajardo
Technical Manager - Athletics Ontario
Competitions, Technical Specifications, and Logistics Manager for Athletics Ontario. Randolph is a former national caliber sprinter. He is a multiple Ontario Universities Athletics All-Star recipient and a two-time First Team All-Canadian
George Hubbard
Road Race Director
Just finished as paid staff with the Pan Am Games as Manager – Volunteer Outreach – and was in charge of the information to prospective volunteers and their recruitment. George also worked in non-profits (NB Lung Association, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Canadian Diabetes Association, and Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Ian Reid
Officials
Project Manager – Momentum Digital Solutions. Other relevant activities: On executive of Athletics Ontario Officials since 2012. Officials coordinator for 2009 and 2010 Senior National Championships (as well as many other meets hosted at U of T such as the NTL meets and the Nike High School Grand Prix). 10 years officiating with Athletics Ontario at multiple National Championships (Senior, Junior and Youth), Canada Summer Games, Pan and Para Pan as well as numerous Provincial Championships
Stafford Whalen
Road Racewalk Director
Stafford has been a Coach and National level Racewalking judge for 40 years. Athletics Canada National Racewalk Coordinator/Coach for 15 years (retired). President of the Ontario Racewalkers Club
Gary Westgate
CROSS COUNTRY DIRECTOR
Gary began his running career with the Toronto Olympic Club back in the hay-day of distance running in Toronto, 80’s through to the 90’s. He had some successes on the roads and XC, representing Canada from World XC, to Pan-Am and qualifying for the 1992 Olympics. (Unable to compete due to a torn Achilles tendon). He came back to the spot in the mid 2000’s as a coach – arguably the most rewarding aspect of his involvement in athletics. Today he’s entering his 2nd year of his own club: Toronto West Athletics.
Professionally, he has worked as a creative director for a variety of Advertising agencies in Canada and the US for the past 2+ decades – having produced several award winning campaigns for world class brands along the way.
He’s thrilled to be involved in the World Masters 2020 championship as the Cross Country race director.
Mehdi Kajbaf
IT Manager
Mehdi Kajbaf Co-Founded Matboard and More and OES Inc. He’s a Waterloo Engineer and Schulich MBA. He was IT Manager for NCC2019 and is excited to be a part of the WMA2020.
Government Advisors
MP Peter Fonseca
Federal Government VISA and immigration resource
Cristina Mussullo
Tourism toronto - client services manager
Finance & Risk Management Committee
Gabe Hayos
Manager of Finance
Paul Osland
TAEM Treasurer
Chris Charlebois
C2C Sports & Entertainment
John Craig
TAEM CEO
Functional Area Coordinators
Amy Ballon | Athlete’s Party Coordinator |
Andrea Ngui | Marketplace Coordinator |
Bob Finlay | Accreditation Coordinator |
David Robinson | Medals Coordinator |
Ian Hall | Bookkeeper |
Jack Pontes | Opening & Closing Ceremonies Coordinator |
Jasmeet Cheema | Operations Coordinator |
Justin Tung | Press Operations & Media Coordinator |
Katherine McLeod | Doping Control Coordinator |
Maria Paisley | Transportation Coordinator |
Martha McLellan | Welcome Centre Coordinator |
Mary – Rose Weir | Meetings Coordinator |
Mehdi Kajbaf | IT Support Coordinator |
Peter Symons | Volunteer Management Coordinator |
Paul Craig | Competitors Handbook Coordinator |
Rita Botelho | Athlete’s Party Coordinator |
Sandy Turney | Canada Welcomes Coordinator |
Sarah Bennett | Medals Coordinator |
Sarah Daly | Press Operations & Media Assistant |
Simon Houzer | Technical Information Centre (TIC) Coordinator |
Val Sarjeant | Signage Coordinator |
Wendy – Ann Clarke | Communications Coordinator |
Key Volunteers and Captains
Annie Jay | Welcome Centre Key Volunteer
|
Benjamin Shindman
| Open & Closing Ceremonies Key Volunteers |
Bob Dann | Field of Play Captain |
Carolyn McSkimming
| F.OP. Coordinator of Captains
|
Charlie Laister | Medals Key Volunteer |
Concetta Buonaiuto
| F.O.P Captain
|
David Jong
| TIC Key Volunteer
|
Dianne Kerr | Welcome Centre Key Volunteer |
Donna Benoit
| Call Room Key Volunteer
|
Frances Enchin
| Volunteer Management Key Volunteer (Training)
|
Jill Hamilton | Non Stadia Key Volunteer |
John Wilton | Transportation Key Volunteer (Airport Program) |
Judith Shindman
| Welcome Centre Key Volunteer
|
Kathryn Garrett
| Results Key Volunteer
|
Megan Lashley
| Volunteer Management Assistant at Check-in |
Paul Hebert
| Medals Key Volunteer
|
Philip Wisener | Non Stadia Key Volunteer |
Rene Thomas | F.O.P Coordinator of Captains
|
Timothy Chen | Volunteer Management Key Volunteer (Recruiting)
|
Tony Soul Ojo-ade
| Volunteer Management Assistant at Check-in
|
Veronica Rouse
| Call Room Key Volunteer
|
Vismay Buch | F.O.P Captain |
Yvon Cote | Transportation Key Volunteer
|
Assistants
Adrienne Gordon | Volunteer Management |
Catherine Meade | Opening and Closing Ceremonies |
Circe Langree Le Coq | French Translation & Marketplace Assistant |
Connie Cadotte | Non Stadia Volunteer |
Erin Schnepper | Volunteer Management & Call Room Key Supervisor |
Gautam Bhatara | Volunteer Management |
Jackie Silverberg | Volunteer Management |
Jim Courtney | Welcome Centre & Way Finding |
Jodi Treble | Field of Play Captain |
Juliette Bideshi | Event Support Services Assistant |
Judeen Johnson | Volunteer Management |
Karen Gowans | IT Support |
Katherine Mather | Volunteer Management |
Kristen De Fillppis | Press Operations & Media Assistant |
Linda Black | Accreditation Assistant |
Linda Sheridan | Canada Welcomes Campaign Assistant |
Lynn McFerran | Volunteer Management |
Megan O’Malley | Social Media |
Milton Bernal | Canada Welcomes Campaign Assistant |
Rathod Ranganathan | Opening and Closing Ceremonies |
Rene Graham- Evans | Accreditation Assistant |
Rhonda B Cohen | Accreditation Assistant |
Robin Turbull | Opening and Closing Ceremonies |
Sharon Clarke | Volunteer Management |
Shivanie Mangal | Meetings Assistant |
Sonya Agbessi | French Translation |
Stuti Bindesri | French Translation |
Susan Stone | Volunteer Management |
Suzanne Wintrob | Accreditation Assistant |
Violeta Garfunkel | Spanish Translation |
Vivek Jadhav | Operations Assistant |
Mentors
Jason Bunston | IT Support |
Melanie Chiu | Marketplace |
Colin Harris | Security |
Frank O’Rourke | Security |
Gabe Hayos | Project Management |
With The WMA Council – July 2019
Contract signing with the WMA Council – June 2019
