Our Board of Directors
CJ BLYE
President
CJ Blye is a consultant, researcher, and sessional instructor at the University of Alberta and a senior PhD Candidate in the faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. Her research is focused on outdoor recreation policy, park management, environmental psychology, and connections to nature. Currently, she is looking at visitor motivations and experiences of New Canadians visiting Elk Island National Park. CJ has worked with NGO’s and park agencies such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, and Ontario Parks to conduct theoretical and practical research that park managers can use in developing policies and strategies. She believes in creating safe and accessible spaces for all kids to play, connect with nature and their communities.
PAIGE KENNEDY
Treasurer
Paige Kennedy is currently a Senior Manager in MNP’s Forensics and Litigation Support group where she primarily focuses on fraud investigations and forensic accounting. She is designated as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta as well as the following specialized fraud and investigations certifications: Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) and Financial Intelligence Specialist (FIS). For eight years, she has worked with a diverse client base including non-profits. Paige has a love for sports and grew up playing every sport offered to her, which included a year on the University of Alberta Pandas soccer team. She is thrilled to act as Treasurer for Free Play and contribute to this powerful organization that is shaping our communities and youth through sport.
LINDSAY-ANNE FREIRE
Past President
Lindsay-Anne currently works as a Senior Project Manager with the City of Edmonton. Previous to her role at the city she was a Senior Policy Advisor with Alberta’s Status of Women Ministry.
Lindsay-Anne also worked for over five years with the Alberta Soccer Association as the Director of Partnerships and Communications. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Masters of
Public Administration from Queen’s University in addition to a FIFA Master in Management, Law Humanities of Sport from the International Centre for Sport Studies. Originally from Ontario, Lindsay-Anne has come to appreciate the sense of community in Edmonton and the opportunities that a program like Free Play provides for kids and families to feel a sense of inclusion and belonging.
MELISSA ANDREWS
Secretary
Melissa Andrews is a Kindergarten to Grade 6 Music and Literacy teacher at John A. McDougall School (which is one of the Free Play for Kids participating schools). Upon graduating from the University of Alberta, she began teaching at John A. McDougall and has been there for the last 17 years. Melissa previously coached for Free Play at her school for 10 years and volunteered at the Free Play summer camps. Her knowledge and experience with the school community will help the program better understand and reflect the needs of the kids and schools who participate in our programing. As a lifelong Edmontonian, Melissa grew up playing soccer and floor hockey and strongly believes in the importance of building a community in children’s programming.
RENÉE CHAN
Director
Renée Chan works at the YWCA and supports various volunteer committees in our community. She is an entrepreneur at heart and translates her experience and knowledge of building a business into collectively building a community. Helping individuals find opportunities to realize their potential, is what drives Renée to work in the community in various volunteer roles herself. Born and raised in Edmonton, she grew up playing various sports as a kid and personally knows how sports and free play positively impacts, grows, and shapes a person early in life both mentally and physically. Her investment into Free Play is rewarded by seeing Free Play kids find themselves.
HEATHER COWIE
Director
Heather Cowie has been working in municipal government for 28 years, 24 with the City of Calgary where she reached the position of Recreation Regional Manager. She now is the General Manager of Community and Protective Services for the City of Fort Saskatchewan. Her career has been dedicated to increasing positive outcomes for children and youth, to that end she was instrumental in bringing the Youth Development through Recreation Symposium to Alberta from Texas. As she along with incredible colleagues from Canada and around the world co-hosted with the International Play Association (IPA) the 2017 IPA conference in Calgary with 700 delegates from all corners of our globe. She is the proud President of the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association, Vice President of Outdoor Play Canada, member of the Calgary Stampede Caravan Committee and now thrilled to be on the Board for Free Play. She is active outdoors, always says yes and leads life with passion and enthusiasm.
JONATHAN CHIA
Director
Jonathan Chia is the president of Gratum Consulting, a boutique consulting firm that provides executive advisory services to small- and medium-sized businesses. Bringing a wealth of industry expertise and a deep passion for community building, Jonathan is known for his financial and strategic acumen, his ability to apply pragmatic solutions to complex problems and the pride he takes in his work. Having spent more than 20 years in a variety of senior executive roles at publicly traded and private companies, Jonathan was previously the CFO of Matrikon Inc., an Edmonton-based industrial IT company. He was also the CFO of Melcor Developments Ltd., a publicly traded real estate developer and Melcor REIT, a real estate investment trust and extension of Melcor Developments Ltd. In 2016, he was appointed president and CEO of a real estate development and asset management company.
A lifelong Edmontonian and University of Alberta alumnus, Jonathan is also a devoted Oilers fan and a golf enthusiast. Jonathan and his wife have two children, who keep them fully occupied on the weekends at local hockey arenas and pools.
AKASH KHOKHAR
Director
Akash Khokhar is the Head of Strategy at Swyft Technologies, a startup focused on solving for affordability in last-mile logistics. Prior to joining Swyft, Akash was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, a global management consultancy firm, and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Premier of Alberta. He holds a BA from the University of Southern California, as well as a JD from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law.
DR. SIMON TURNER
Director
Dr. Simon Turner is a thoracic surgeon at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta and is the Chair of Education for the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons. Simon was born and raised in Edmonton and is passionate about giving back to his hometown. Simon was drawn to Free Footie through his love of soccer and a desire to bring the joy of sport, friendship and community to deserving kids.
JERRY RUDELIC
Director
Jerry Rudlic is currently the Senior Vice President of Life & Operations at Alberta Blue Cross. His responsibilities encompass the operational functions of life & disability, claims, administration, and enrollment at Alberta Blue Cross. He has been with the organization for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of areas ranging from Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Underwriting and Administration. Jerry spent 25 years on the Board of Directors of the Edmonton Croatia Soccer Club in the role of Treasurer. He is a graduate of the University of Alberta and holds degrees in Commerce and Arts (Sociology) as well as the Marketing program at the Queens School of Business and the University of Alberta Corporate Executive Program (CEP). He coached his two children for 15 years in both hockey and soccer as well as played men’s soccer for almost 20 years in the Alberta Major Soccer League and EDSA.