SIRC TEAM
Our team of professionals are dedicated to supporting the sport and physical activity sector in Canada through research, knowledge dissemination, and collaboration.
At the helm of SIRC for over 25 years, Debra (she, her) has steered the organization and transformed offerings for stakeholder relevance and impact. She continues playing a vital role in federal, provincial and territorial workgroups, and serves on the Canadian Olympic Committee. With an MA degree in Communications, Debra is best known across the sport system for stakeholder communications, global partnerships, digital technologies, and contributing as a key player in shaping Canada’s sport policy. Connect with Debra to learn more about her background and experience.
Kim (she, her) is bilingual, and known as a go-to person for getting results. At SIRC, she does so by drawing on her business degree from the University ofOttawa, work experience, organizational skills, and ability to nurture fruitful relationships. Kim’s expertise and underlying positivity guide her in improving productivity, simplifying processes and managing projects effectively. She is accountable for overseeing finances and technological operations at SIRC. Kim is proud of founding Ringette for All, Canada’s first all-abilities ringette program for children living with disabilities. She continues to volunteer on committees to amplify the benefits of barrier-free sport through Ringette for All.
Veronica (she, her) bolsters SIRC with her decade of experience working and consulting with organizations across Canada’s sport system. She’s proven capable of managing multiple projects concurrently and translating complex research into understandable, actionable knowledge. She holds a PhD and postdoctoral fellowship in Sport Psychology, and trained as a global news media correspondent during her journalism fellowship. Her broad focus is psychological and social factors in sport, specifically ones affecting quality participation, athlete development and coaching effectiveness. Apart from her research and work, she also draws from personal experience as a competitive runner, sport enthusiast and overall movement lover.
Jen (she, her) joined SIRC after 4 years at Queen’s PLAYS lab, where she focused on gender equity and youth development, and gained hands-on experience in research design, data collection, and writing grants and reports. Jen progressed from an assistant role at SIRC to her current role by strengthening her data analysis skills, research methods and ability to synthesize research. Jen has an MSc in Sport Psychology, a BSc in Kinesiology, and was a Registered Kinesiologist (2019-2021). She volunteers for a therapeutic horse-riding program, SARI, by promoting physical and moral support for program participants living with disabilities.
Paula (she, her) is a seasoned journalist and digital strategist, known for her ability to craft stories that truly resonate. With more than 20 years of experience across print, broadcast, and digital media, her work bridges the worlds of sport and health. Armed with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Exercise Physiology, Paula began her career as a physiologist, training high-performance and professional athletes in Canada and the US. Later, she added a diploma in Journalism, blending analytical depth with creative flair in her storytelling. When she’s not shaping impactful content, Paula volunteers with her therapy dog, Walter, or pursues her love of the outdoors and travel. Thoughtful, strategic, and always engaging, Paula brings both heart and dedication to everything she does.
Taylor (she, her) shines when it comes to communication, branding and marketing. At Sport Law and the Ottawa Sport Council, she developed and launched successful programs like the Belonging Playbook, Sportopia Podcast, and the Rebound Program. She holds a BComm degree in Management and a Sport Business Management Certificate. In a volunteer capacity, she advises the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre on communications and social media. Taylor is a former varsity football Offensive Line Coach with Carleton University and was Head Coach for the U16 Cumberland Panthers team in Ontario’s first minor tackle football league for girls.
Brynna (she, her) is working on her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences with a focus on concussion, having earned an undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics and a graduate degree in Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. At SIRC, Brynna’s certificate in Knowledge Translation serves her well as she creates toolkits, research summaries and infographics and supports other communication activities. Through those efforts, she advances how SIRC shares academic research that can shape sport practices nationally. Brynna is also known for her research and evaluation skills.
Gabrielle (she, her) draws daily upon her skills in project management, advanced research, communication, and fluency in Canada’s official languages. She excels at collaboration, analysis and delivering presentations. Since earning undergrad and graduate degrees in Kinesiology, Gabrielle continues to work toward earning a PhD in Physical Activity Sciences and becoming a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. She expects her interest in working directly with athletes and her focus on sport psychology research to guide her career. Gabrielle also contributes as a member of Artistic Swimming Quebec’s Safe Sport Committee, which enhances athlete safety and wellbeing.
Kai (he, him) is a freestyle wrestler and 2022 Canada Games gold medalist, both individual and team, 65 kg. He is studying Communications and Media Studies at Carleton University. Kai helps his colleagues develop content for SIRC communications, while boosting his aptitude for social media management, analytical research and data collection.