I did not take a traditional path into the recreation profession, but rather fell (or dove) into it after lifeguarding my way through my B.Sc. Biology undergrad degree. My recreation pursuits began with casual roles in both aquatics and summers spent as a day camp leader. Although I thoroughly enjoyed these opportunities, at that time they were a means to an end – to achieve my education.

When I completed my undergrad a fulltime opportunity in recreation presented itself. Less than three years into my work experience, I then landed a new role that changed my focus from program delivery to community development, reinforcing my love and desire to be a recreation professional. I found myself with a mentor who challenged and pushed me through a variety of experiences, and the community engagement work solidified my passion!

In hindsight I can now see how my early opportunities in recreation played a much larger part to engage and inspire me than I was able to see at the time, and how my early role models shaped what has become a truly fulfilling career.

Steve Kellock is the Director of Recreation for the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. Steve is passionate about recreation and community development and is a champion of inclusion and equity, with a focus on recreation and parks for all. He brings over 25 years of experience to the President-Elect role, with an emphasis on engagement, community development, board governance models, and regional collaboration.

Steve served as a BCRPA Board Director from 2017-2021, and President-Elect from 2021-2022. He then returned as President-Elect for 2023-2025. This is Steve's first year as Board President.

I enrolled in the Recreation & Leisure Management Program at Mohawk College in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, out of convenience and thinking that it would just be all fun and games. Little did I know that this somewhat whimsical decision would lead me to find my passion and purpose in life; to connect people and build community through recreation. While attending college, I had the opportunity to work at a local and somewhat derelict, rec centre and it was a life-changing experience. That little run-down rec centre was the heart and soul of the neighbourhood. It was a safe space, a guaranteed afternoon snack, strong role-models, and most importantly, kindness and inclusion for all.

Shortly after graduation, the mountains of BC called my name, so I packed my bags with one goal in mind; to make an impact in municipal rec. It was a slightly haphazard plan at the time but it worked out and I’m right where I’m supposed to be. I am incredibly thankful for all of the opportunities this fulfilling career has given me and ever so grateful to work with and learn from such talented professionals in the field.

It’s been a fun ride so far and I’m looking forward to all the years to come.

Kelsey Johnson is the General Manager of Community Services for Penticton. With over 15 years of experience in recreation services, Kelsey has proven themself to be a proactive visionary committed to advancing and advocating for recreation and community services. Recipient of the 2019 CPRA Emerging Leader Award, Kelsey has been nationally recognized as a dedicated professional who has a strong foundation in recreation services and has made significant contributions to their community.

Kelsey has served as a BCRPA Board Director from 2021-2025. This is Kelsey's first year as President-Elect.

Recreation has been my entire career. I started volunteering at a summer camp at the age of 13 and haven't looked back! After working in a variety of municipalities in the lower mainland, I was accepted to the Community Recreation Programming Diploma Program, at VCC - Langara Campus and followed this with the Leisure Studies Co-op degree program at UVIC with a minor in Sociology.

My work, education and career have all been focused around recreation and my personal life has revolved around recreation as well. Soccer, sailing, hiking, running, theatre and choir, as well as exploring are some examples that have all contributed and been fundamental to who I am. I was even the first female soccer referee in the Province of BC in the early eighties.

My early career, after university, saw me working out of Sport BC with Wheelchair Basketball and Special Olympics. My husband and I then transitioned to Ucluelet on Vancouver Island in the early 90's. I was fortunate to land the job of Recreation Programmer for the District of Ucluelet. Thirty years later, we have a community centre and full staff compliment under my management as the Director of Community Services.

Throughout my career BCRPA has always been very important to me as a governing body for the industry, in addition to being a support and knowledge resource. I have served as the Vancouver Island Regional Liaison for a number of years, and also served as a BCRPA board member from 2011-2013.

Recreation has grown and changed over the years. I strongly believe that recreation is an essential service for any community, now more than ever.

Abby Fortune is the Director of Community Services with Ucluelet. She has over 40 years of experience in both public and private recreation and a strong working knowledge of municipal government. Abby has focused her career on being a team player while working with and advocating for small town and rural recreation as the key to community health and well being. Leadership, mentorship and accessibility advocacy have also been an important part of her career. She strongly believes that recreation and parks are an essential part to any community.  

This is Abby's second year as a returning Board Director. Previously, Abby served as a BCRPA Board Director from 2011-2013, and as the Vancouver Island Regional Liaison from 2021–2023.

I was lucky enough to find positions that allowed me to remain a pool rat and a gym rat throughout my later high school and university years. I worked at the pool as a lifeguard, swim instructor, and aquatic fitness leader and on the fitness side as a weight room and group fitness leader. After funding my way through school, it was too late to leave this industry as I was hooked on the good people, sense of community, and buzzing nature of the field.

I count myself very fortunate that I had mentors who believed in me and offered me a full-time role right out of school. The years after that really have just flown by. I have worked and/or volunteered with private enterprises, municipal organizations, non-profit organizations, and charities. What I enjoy most is the connections, watching leaders learn and grow, and serving the community.

Still a pool and gym rat...!

Lauralee March is the Community Recreation Manager with the Township of Langley. Lauralee has over 20 years of experience working in the recreation and parks sector, all within the province of British Columbia. She has worked and/or volunteered with private enterprises, municipal organizations, non-profit organizations, and charities. Her BCRPA experience includes volunteering at BCFit^®, presenting multiple times at Ripple Effects and serving on its conference planning committee.

This is Lauralee's fourth year as a BCRPA Board Director. She has served on the board since 2022.

I think it all started when I quit swim club at age 13 and my mom signed me up for bronze medallion, as soon as she could. While in high school, my first job was as a Lifeguard/Swim Instructor at the South Slope YMCA in Vancouver.

While in university, I worked in aquatics at the Arbutus Club, a Ski Instructor at Blackcomb Mountain, and a staff member at a summer camp in Howe Sound. Once I finished university, I moved to Whistler for a short career in the ski industry before getting hired as a Day Camp Leader for the Resort Municipality of Whistler, which is where my recreation career in local government started.

I was fortunate enough to grow my career at the same time that Whistler was opening its recreation facilities and developing parks in the community. Then of course, there was the 2010 Games – that was a whole different learning experience. I have had the privilege of seeing how community members thrive and develop through the programs and services offered through recreation and parks, which is what keeps me motivated to continue to contribute to the sector.

Mary Morrison-Clark is the General Manager, Parks, Recreation and Culture with Burnaby. Prior to this role, she was Abbotsford’s General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture for four years. Prior to working in local government, she worked in health care for 19 years; 17 of those as a recreation therapist working with people with physical disabilities and mental health challenges. Mary believes that exceptional people are the key to exceptional parks, recreation and culture services, and prioritizes strong leadership, building a safe work environment, creating a culture of innovation and trust, and supporting an environment where skills and talents can thrive.

This is Mary's third year as a BCRPA Board Director. She has served on the board since 2023.

Neal Aven is the Director of Parks at City of Surrey where he has been working for more than 25 years. Here he delivers professional and inclusive park services for a diverse and rapidly growing community. His approach to leadership is one of authenticity, empowerment, and optimism. He has a strong awareness of current practices and trends in the recreation and parks sector and a keen interest in customer service and teamwork. He is an active Member of BCRPA and has served on the planning committee for the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 BCRPA Parks Professional Pathways conferences.

This is Neal's fifth year as a BCRPA Board Director. Neal has served on the board since 2021.

I fell in love with recreation and was privileged that my mom put me into every imaginable activity. My first experience within the recreation sector started as a gymnastics coach and day camp leader. Needless to say, I've never looked back!

I went on to complete a bachelor's degree in kinesiology, worked at our university gym, taught community fitness classes, and played varsity golf while attending the University of the Fraser Valley. After university I went overseas to gain international work experience and interned with the Commonwealth of Learning in Lusaka, Zambia in Africa and taught English in Seoul, Korea. Once back in Canada, I lived in La Ronge Saskatchewan and was the Program Manager for Sport and Recreation for the Northern Sport, Culture, and Recreation District.
 
I've spent the last 13 years working as the Sport Development Coordinator at Kamloops, which provided me with the knowledge and experience within municipal government. Throughout my years in the interior, I was involved in multi-sport games as Mission Staff for Team BC and Director of Sport for the 2018 BC Winter Games, and worked as a community consultant and Master Learning Facilitator for Sport for Life.

Recently moving to the pacific northwest, I am the Director of Recreation and Community Services for Prince Rupert. I am passionate about accessibility and inclusion and the role it plays in local leadership and collective impact. I want to see all people in our communities around the province be active for life. I am excited for the opportunity BCRPA brings to small communities and look forward to bringing equitable opportunities to our many diverse rural and remote northern communities.

Nicole is Director of Recreation and Community Services for City of Prince Rupert. She has a bachelors in kinesiology and has been involved in recreation administration, strategic planning and evidence-based program delivery for over 20 years. Her involvement in municipal government has allowed her to translate her knowledge from academic research, facility operations and policy to grass roots community engagement and delivery.

Creating successful, inclusive and healthy communities is fulfilling work and important to Nicole. As a community consultant with Sport for Life (S4L), Nicole has supported not-for-profit agencies, collaborated with provincial agencies and Indigenous communities to develop their physical activity strategic plans. Through this work, she has developed an appreciation for the importance of balancing compassion and pragmatism when working in culturally sensitive, political or difficult situations.

Nicole is a life-long learner and is committed to professional development and empowering the next generation of leaders.

This is Nicole's first year as a BCRPA Board Director.

I discovered my passion for recreation growing up on Vancouver Island. I fell in love with surfing at a young age. I have spent most of my life chasing waves and experiencing nature. Being comfortable in the water meant becoming a lifeguard was a natural fit. My first job in 1995 was working as a lifeguard at All Fun Waterslides in Langford, BC. I worked hard and became the park's manager and really enjoyed being involved in leadership.

Along the way, I had the opportunity to become a Reserve Constable with the Victoria Police Department, and a volunteer ski patrol member at our local hill. I found helping people rewarding and found my natural home in recreation.

I was just another high energy boy that had difficulty sitting still and paying attention. However, being active and helping people gave me a sense of purpose and connection to my community and made me realize that recreation was the right career path for me.

I enjoy working with the public to improve the health and wellness of our beautiful and diverse community. Being on the board will give me the opportunity to continue to share my accumulated knowledge as well as learn, grow, and affect positive and lasting change in recreation in BC.

Steve is Director of Parks and Recreation for the Township of Esquimalt. He has 30 years of progressive parks, recreational and operational management experience. His lifelong passion is dedicated to health and wellness in the field of parks and recreation. Steve enjoys connecting community desires and fostering successful project outcomes by working collaboratively from project conception to completion.

Throughout his career, Steve has worked effectively with community leaders to advance initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and recreation excellence. He believes in the power of optimizing group dynamics, and thrives in environments where collaboration and shared knowledge are prioritized. He shares a passion for mentorship and sharing knowledge with those that want to improve the health and wellness of our communities.

Steve was previously a BCRPA Regional Liaison for the Vancouver Island region. This is Steve's first year as a BCRPA Board Director.