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Meet The Team
Staff
PAUL OSLAND
Chief Executive Officer
Paul Osland, a 1988 Olympian, is a distinguished leader with over 25 years of experience as a senior business executive. As an Olympian, Paul successfully transitioned his passion for athletics into a thriving career as a business leader. In his capacity as CEO of Athletics Ontario, Paul has spearheaded innovative programs and initiatives to nurture young talents, elevate coaching standards, and enhance the overall athletic experience. His strategic collaborations, commitment to excellence, and dedication to the sport continue to make a significant impact, inspiring athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Anthony Biggar
Director; Member Services,
Programs & Development
Anthony is an active member in the running community, competes on occasion and is currently on the Officiating pathway. As an All-Canadian for the University of Toronto, he won 7 medals at the CIS (now USports) Championships and became the OTFA (now AO) Indoor 800m Champion in 1993. Anthony’s active and energetic past speaks for itself.
Randolph Fajardo
Manager; Competitions, Technical Specifications & logistics
Randolph is a former national calibre sprinter. He is a multiple Ontario Universities Athletics All-Star recipient and a two-time First Team All-Canadian. Randolph brings a diverse knowledge of computer programming, software platforms and photo timing to his role. In addition to his expertise in managing the AC Direct database system for entries and results – he has assisted in the coordination and delivery of Athletics Ontario events, including National Qualifier meets, Provincial Championships and the Ontario Summer Games.
Angela Whyte
Manager
High Performance
Angela manages all aspects of the Athletics Ontario high-performance programs including Quest for Gold and Team Ontario (OHPSI). Angela maintains and updates the Athletics Ontario high-performance strategy to ensure Ontario athletes and coaches have the best opportunities to succeed on a national and international level.
Sheryl Preston
Manager
Road & Trail Running
Sheryl brings with her years of experience in the rowing, running and coaching communities. Sheryl represented Canada for seven years as part of Rowing Canada, earning silver at the 2009 World Championships and two World Cup bronze medals. Since, she has discovered the strength and unity that running brings to communities and people after participating in over 20+ marathons and ultra marathons across North America, and as a member of multiple running clubs and groups.
Shehara Vanniasinkam
Manager
Finance & Operations
Shehara brings with her years of experience in bookkeeping and administrative management.
Saheed Khan
Associate Manager; Athlete,
Coach, & Officials Development
Saheed has been involved in the sport of athletics for many years. As an athlete, Saheed has experience competing on provincial teams and competing for Canada at the NACAC Cross Country Championships in 2009, 2012, 2014 and the I.A.A.F. World Cross Country Championships in 2009. Saheed has experience as a club coach and as a provincial team coach. He coordinates the hosting of NCCP Athletics Ontario Coaching Education Courses, coordinates the updates for Athletics Ontario Coaches NCCP Locker accounts, and provides reminders and updates on professional development coaching education opportunities.
Director,
Marketing & Communications
Debra Joseph
Debra Mahlitz-Joseph is a communications, marketing, and activation expert who brings together strategic thinking, creativity, and a results-driven approach. With a career built on brand management, innovative storytelling, and impactful engagement, she thrives on turning ideas into action and fostering meaningful connections.
Her expertise spans brilliant communications, brand strategy, sales and social selling, and unlocking untapped opportunities for growth. Known for her adaptability, curiosity, and can-do attitude, Debra is passionate about being both a change maker and a difference maker—helping Athletics Ontario inspire, connect, and elevate the athletics community across the province.
Board of Directors
David Rombough
Chair
AO Board Member since 2025
David is the Chairman of Athletics Ontario, bringing decades of leadership in business and sport. An All-Canadian athlete at Western University, David went on to coach at the University of Waterloo and later served as President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Track & Field Association. A CPA by training, he was a Partner with Accenture and EY before leading North American operations for Symphony Ventures, a start-up in automation and artificial intelligence. David combines deep roots in athletics with executive expertise to drive collaboration, innovation, and growth across Ontario’s athletics community..
Patti Moore
Vice CHAIR
AO Board Member since 2020
Governance Committee (Chair)
Risk Committee
Enjoyed a 30-year career in the Ontario Public Service, with the Ministry of Community and Social Services and, more recently, with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services
In her time with the Ontario Public Service, she focused on working directly with the boards of not-for-profit organizations contracted to provide service to vulnerable children and adults.
Michelle Hastick-Cowell
tREASURER
AO board member since 2025
Finance Committee (Chair)
bRIAN mCcLELLAND
Director
ao Board member since 2017
Track Official since 2016
Risk Committee (chair)
Have worked closely with AO Staff, and CEO, on development of several AO policies.
AO Volunteer of the Year in 2017
Served as Board Secretary 2017-2020
AREAS OF EXPERTISE/SKILL SETS:
Marketing; Strategic Planning; Risk Management; Governance – Policy Development
HR – Employee Interviewing, hiring and management
Meshell Lynch-James
Director
ao board member since 2020
HR committee
Meshell was a sprinter who competed at the provincial and national level. Principal with York School board, an athletic-based school. Has experience in all of the areas of competency addressed in the AO Core Skills Matrix. Very experienced in the following areas: Community/Member Relations (strong ties to the Black and Caribbean Canadian/African Canadian communities); Funding Diversification/Partnership Development; Marketing/Brand Development/Communications; Strategic Planning/Development; Public Policy/Government Relations. Has cut back on some of her school-related committee work
25+ year management consultant with experience in executing customer experience transformation programs, managing cross-functional solutions across marketing, sales, and customer service functions. Experience includes strategy, technology integration through to operations.
Currently a Partner at one of the big four consulting firms, with experience in strategic planning, project management, facilitation, stakeholder management, target operating model development and program management around complex systems integration programs. Prior governance experience with Girl Guides of Ontario and Nunavut and current board member of Women's Refugee Commission. Mother to three children who are all active in cross country and track and field.
Berkeley Warburton
Director
Dayna Ward
Director
AO Board Member since 2019
Human Resources (Chair)
Past coach for University of Toronto Track Club and Elite Pole Vault
2009 Francophone Games team member
Active on multiple internal committees including Diversity & Inclusion (Thomson Reuters), Women at TR, Women in Tech, Chair of the Pulse Committee (an internal working group responsible for helping shape and strengthen a healthy workplace culture at the COC), Employee Engagement Committee (COC), Joint Health and Safety Committee Member (TR, COC)
Petrina Dolby
Director
ao Board Member since 2017
Finance Committee
AO and Ontario Masters Member (Toronto Harriers)
Board experience with multiple organizations; Marketing, Sponsorship and Fundraising Experience
Corporate Finance Experience as a Senior Executive at one of Canada’s Big Five Banks
Global Management and Technology Consulting Experience as a Partner at a Global Systems Integrator
Strategic Planning with multiple Management Consulting Organizations globally; Project Management Designation; Executive Facilitation and Stakeholder Management and Operations Management
Stephanie Anselm
Secretary
ao BOARD Member since 2021
Governance Committee
Long-time athlete in the sport of track & field and road racing. has helped organizations translate complex business strategy into a practical set of actions, which meet the needs of stakeholders and contribute to the well-being of the organization.
As an independent consultant serving the not-for-profit sector, has assisted organizations set up their governance structures to meet the needs of Boards and Stakeholders
Well-rounded skill set of project management, business process reengineering, change management, technical acumen, and leadership.
Holds an Industrial Engineering degree, as well as being a certified project management professional.
Trained in Lean, Six Sigma and change management techniques.
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