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 + Chair of Finance Committee
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
Directer + 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.
RENÉE CHAN
Director + Chair of the Community Impact Committee
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 + Member of the Finance Committee
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.
JERRY RUDELIC
Director + Chair of the Governance and Business Strategy Committee
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. Jerry is currently the Chair of Free Play's Governance and Business Strategy Committee..
Rebecca Rubuliak
Director + Member of the Finance Committee
Professionally, Rebecca works as Director of Continuous Improvement and Innovation at Skills Society, a large disability rights and service organization in Edmonton. In this role, she stewards innovative projects, organizational development and learning practices to affect change towards supporting people to live inclusive lives in the community. Rebecca completed her Master’s degree Free Play for Kids Board of Directors 2024 Election 2 in the faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta. Her research focused on children experiencing disability's inclusion and belonging at school and in play. In an effort to support positive and meaningful experiences in sport and play for children and youth, or over a decade Rebecca has coached, volunteered, and worked with various sports and recreation programs and organizations. Rebecca admires Free Play’s commitment to social justice and creativity to think outside the box, and is delighted and honored to be part of supporting their work and vision. Rebecca loves exploring the city on her bike or with her pup Murph, and is happiest when spending time with people.
Carolyn Mathew - Director
Carolyn Mathew has worked at Edmonton Public Schools for 21 years as a teacher, consultant, assistant principal, and now as a principal. She has had the privilege of being the principal at schools with the Free Play program. She is currently the principal at Balwin School (K-9). Over the years, she has ridden the bus on Thursdays to the soccer centre, cheered at outdoor games and at the year-end footie tournament. As Free Play emerged in-person from COVID, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the daily after-school & "at-school" model. She is so excited by the programming now offered to students in junior high. She has witnessed the profound impact Free Play has on the lives of children through sport, coaching, positive relationships and exposure to experiences and places perhaps otherwise unavailable to them. Carolyn is mom to a 21 year old son and a 7 year old daughter.
