Program Advisory Committee
Program Advisory Committees facilitate relationships with employer groups, community organizations, and professional associations for both Regular Studies and Continuing Studies programming. They provide timely and responsive feedback to assure the relevance of the program in preparing students for employment.
Members of a program advisory committee provide advice and guidance within the scope of their individual expertise. The primary role of a program advisory committee is to advise and act as a communication link between the College and the related program field. A program advisory committee does not develop curriculum nor serve an administrative role in implementing College policy.
The members of the PAC for the Langara College Department of Recreation Studies are detailed below.
Current employment:
TBA.
Professional and Academic Credentials:
TBA.
A brief overview of professional experience in recreation and focus within the industry:
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TBA.
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.
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.
TBA.
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.
TBA.
Originally from Ontario, I moved to the West Coast in 1997 to pursue my academic goals. I earned a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a major in Recreation from Vancouver Island University and a Bachelor of Geography from Lakehead University in Ontario. Captivated by the beauty and vibrancy of the West Coast, I have proudly called it home ever since.
Currently, I am the Centre Manager at Coquitlam's Bettie Allard YMCA , where I oversee operations in the Health, Fitness, and Aquatics Branch of YMCA BC. My YMCA journey spans 16 years and includes diverse leadership roles, such as Camp Director at YMCA Camp Howdy and Camp Elphinstone, Manager of Healthy Child Development overseeing child and youth programs, and Centre Manager at the Langara Family YMCA. Before joining the YMCA, I worked with the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Coast BC in roles including Assistant Camp Director at Camp Potlatch and Volunteer Coordinator. Earlier in my career, I spent time as a Conference Service Coordinator in Whistler and dedicated time to traveling and exploring.
I’ve also been actively involved in the camping community, sitting on boards with the BC Camping Association (BCCA) and the Canadian Camp Association (CCA).
Passionate about sports, outdoor activities, and fostering community connections, I’ve dedicated my career to leading teams, mentoring staff, and managing facilities in the non-profit sector. I’m thrilled to bring my experience, enthusiasm, and love for recreation to the Langara's Recreation Studies Program Advisory Committee, working to support our shared mission of enhancing our community.
TBA.
TBA.
City of Coquitlam
Having a degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Douglas College and being a Certified Recreation Therapist enabled me to pursue and establish my career in recreation initially within a health care setting. For 12 years my focus was working with older adults in retirement living and long-term care. In this capacity, my role included front line recreation program leadership, recreation department management and corporate recreation management where I oversaw the recreation services for over 20 facilities across BC, AB, and QUE.
Making the transition to municipal recreation was seamless as my education and my experience had ignited and supported my strong belief that participation in recreation programs is essential to health promotion and well-being. I have supervised a variety of program areas and currently am in the position of Facility Supervisor for an adult community centre and citywide community services. My Therapeutic Recreation background was pivotal to programming with purpose. This resulted in a development of standardized program outcomes for all community recreation programs in the City. This framework also assisted us with highlighting the work done around adults, older adults and families.
When not working the 9 – 5 shift, my day revolves around my second full time job as a mother to two busy boys who keep me on my toes 24/7. And in the midst of all this I strive to fit in some of my own leisure pursuits of beer-league hockey, sub-par triathlon achievements, and Macramé.
I am a graduate of Langara's Recreation Leadership Diploma (2023) and a current student in the Bachelor of Recreation Management program. With 15 years of experience in the recreation industry, I have worked with the Vancouver Park Board at various community centers and am currently employed as a Community Facilities Coordinator with the City of Richmond. I am passionate about creating high-quality, accessible, and inclusive recreational opportunities that serve diverse and vibrant communities.
During my diploma, I had the privilege of interning with the BCRPA, which allowed me to witness the impactful work being done across the BC recreation sector. This experience inspired me to pursue further education with Langara's Recreation Studies department to expand my skills and knowledge.
Having benefited from low-barrier recreational opportunities as a child, I deeply understand the transformative impact these services can have on individuals and communities. These experiences shaped my own sense of belonging and well-being, and they drive my commitment to ensuring that others, especially those facing barriers, have access to the same opportunities. I am passionate about creating inclusive spaces that foster connection, empowerment, and personal growth for all.