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Marie Lopes is an arts educator and administrator with over 30 years of experience working in art galleries, arts organizations, and in local government. Her work centres on developing and supporting exhibitions, public programs, and artists’ projects that facilitate community engagement and public discourse in the arts. Following graduate studies in Art History at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan, she worked as the Curator of Education at the Art Gallery of Windsor and the Edmonton Art Gallery. Moving to Vancouver in the fall of 1999, she worked as Curator of Education at the Burnaby Art Gallery and at ArtStarts in School administering their Artists in Residence Program. From 2001 - 2008 she held positions at the Vancouver Art Gallery, first as a Public Programs coordinator and later as Head of Public Programs.

At the Vancouver Park Board since 2009, Marie is currently as the Coordinator of the Park Board Arts Team. She supervises a citywide team that organizes and supports artist in residence projects and cultural initiatives in community centres, parks and facilities – from dance productions in swimming pools to weaving projects in parks. This work supports the Park Board Arts Policy mandate to integrate the arts into everyday life in Vancouver, build creative capacity in community and support spaces for artists and community to connect.

Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society

Steve brings more than two and a half decades of experience in municipal parks, recreation, and culture; currently leading the Vancouver Park Board as Director of Recreation where he is responsible for the oversight of recreation services, directing the development and administration of programs, activities and related facilities with a focus on partner relationship building. 

Additionally, Steve brings unique insight into recreation facility development and design and has experience leading multiplex facility development, utilizing state-of-the-art technology while exceeding sustainability goals. He was previously leading the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre project, which is currently under construction and will be the first aquatic facility of its type in Canada to meet the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) zero carbon building standards and certification. 

Prior to his time with New Westminster, Steve held the positions of Community Recreation and Youth Services Manager at the District of West Vancouver and Manager of Arena Operations and Diversity for the City of Abbotsford. He holds a Masters of Business Administration in Executive Management-Leadership from Royal Roads University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Victoria.

Steve formerly sat on the Board of Directors as President-elect for the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) and as a member of the CEO Advisory Committee for the province’s Restart Plan for the BCRPA. He also served as a Director on the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA).

He is passionate about recreation and community development, and is a champion of inclusion and equity with a focus on recreation and parks for all.

I have always enjoyed working in positions that help keep people active, smiling and having fun. With that, one opportunity has stumbled into another that has led me to the Parks and Recreation Sector. 

My passion for mountain biking and developing the sport helped fuel my path to the Recreation Sector. Being involved with trail-building activities some 20 years ago led me to be hired as a mountain bike patroller at Sun Peaks Resort. From this, I started to get involved in hosting larger bike events and races. Next, I shifted my focus to sales, marketing and media relations. As my diversity grew with promoting and working in the resort sector, it was easy to transition to the world of municipal recreation.
After working five years for Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, overseeing events, media relations and communications, I sought a change. When the opportunity to step into the position with the Town of Golden, I jumped in, tackled the challenge and didn't look back. Ten years later, I have helped transform how recreation services are delivered in Golden. 
Helping provide a positive impact on the quality of life in my community is a rewarding position. It keeps me motivated to do more and encourages others to get involved. Working with the public to make their favourite sport grow and transforming park spaces to cater to all are very rewarding projects.

As a board member with the BCRPA, the last three years have provided a greater insight into all aspects of the sector and allowed me to share my passion for the sector. I enjoy bringing a perspective that supports the desires of mid-sized and smaller communities to the table.

I am currently working as the Healthy Communities Manager for the City of Surrey. I completed my Diploma in Recreation Leadership and Bachelors of Recreation Management through Langara College.

I've worked in the field of municipal parks, recreation, and culture for over 16 years. Throughout my career I've overseen a variety of portfolios that span program areas including; preschool, children, youth, adult, seniors, fitness, aquatics, sport tourism, and emergency support services.

In my current role with the City of Surrey I oversee services for people aged 55+ as the Seniors Functional Manager. In addition, I oversee the Leisure Access Program, Volunteer Resources, Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion, Youth Intervention & Engagement, Health Promotion, Employee Wellness, and Age Friendly for Seniors.

My recreation career began in the fitness sector where I worked as a personal trainer, group fitness instructor and fitness coordinator. I’ve dabbled in municipal recreation and corporate fitness but have spent the last 16 years in the private club sector.

I am currently working as the Athletics Director at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club where I oversee the Aquatics, Fitness, Racquet Sport (tennis, badminton, squash), Sport Shop and Juniors departments. I have extensive experience coordinating special events and sport tournaments of all sizes and work closely with coaches and provincial/national sport organizations. I have a Human Kinetics Diploma from the College of the Rockies and completed my Bachelor of Recreation Management at Langara College. I’m a BCRPA certified personal trainer and supervisor of fitness leaders. I’m passionate about getting people of all ages involved in sport and fitness for life and have a particular interest in supporting female participation.

Current employment:
Community Partnerships and Policy Manager, City of Coquitlam
Professional and Academic Credentials
Relevant education includes, Diploma in Recreation Facility Management (Langara College); Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management (Royal Roads University), Certified High Five Trainer, Certified ProSci Change Management Practitioner
A brief overview of professional experience in recreation and focus within the industry
I’ve worked in the field of recreation for the past 26 years both in municipal and private recreation.  I’ve held a variety of roles including program leader, Recreation Leader, Recreation Program Coordinator, Recreation Facility Supervisor, and others.  I have been fortunate to have had experience in almost all program areas including health and fitness, sport, youth centre programming, seniors centre programming, preschool and child programming, parent participation and family programming, arenas, facility rentals, and community events.