Our Leadership Team & Advisory Board of Directors
With over 200 years of combined experience spanning elite sports, high-level government & private sector roles, corporate finance, and global project management, our board and leadership team is a powerhouse of talent and expertise uniquely equipped to guide Ottawa Sports forward.
Together, the Ottawa Sports Advisory Board of Directors and Leaders bring unmatched strategic insight and an unwavering dedication to fostering an inclusive, premium-quality sports & education experience accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re a business leader, potential sponsor, or Ottawa Sports member/parent, we invite you to explore each bio and discover the individuals who embody our values and drive our success.
Discover the team behind Ottawa Sports' leadership excellence.
Head of Mission.
Nicholas J.R. Hammell
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Nicholas Hammell is the Head of Mission at Ottawa Sports and a dynamic leader in sport, education, and business. As a former competitive skier, Nicholas has been active in the ski community since 2014. He became a CSIA member in 2017 and has since earned his CSIA Level 4 Teach designation. As a CSIA Course Conductor, he trains and certifies new instructors through Level 1 courses, contributing to the growth of Canadian snowsports education.
In his fourth year as Head Coach at Mount Pakenham, Nicholas leads a team of 15+ coaches and over 120 athletes. He is certified through Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). In 2024, he was named Alpine Ontario’s Coach of the Year in the province of Ontario, recognizing his excellence in athlete development and leadership in grassroots sport.
In 2020, Nicholas founded Ottawa Sports as his second company, following earlier success in the skilled trades and hydro sectors. His goal was to create a collaborative, inclusive, and toxic-free space for athletes, coaches, and students. Today, Ottawa Sports includes a Traveling Ski Race Team, a Snow School, Equipment Services, a Motivational Clothing Line, and Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) academic programs in Health & Wellness and Sports across Ontario and Quebec. His leadership is grounded in the organization’s motto: "Train Smart, Train Hard, Train Together, Be the Exception."
Nicholas prioritizes quality and staff wellbeing by offering premium programming at affordable prices alongside industry-leading worker compensation packages. His commitment to fairness and professionalism has helped Ottawa Sports grow into a respected organization with over 30 dedicated team members.
Beyond Ottawa Sports, Nicholas has also coordinated ski programs with Snowhawks Ottawa, further enriching the local ski community. He holds a Powerlines Technician Diploma from Algonquin College and has worked extensively in the hydro utility industry. He remains active in emergency response, serving as an on-call powerlines technician across Canada and the U.S., including during major weather events like Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
Nicholas’s holistic, athlete-centered approach is strengthened by specialized certifications in Infection Control, Ambulation, Lifting, and Transfer, and Stress Management, obtained through the Ottawa Paramedic Services and Ottawa General Hospital.
His numerous awards include:
Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award
Ottawa Catholic Trustee Student Service Award
Mount Pakenham Coach of the Year Award
OCSB Physical & Health Education Department Award
As President of the Ottawa Sports Board of Directors, Nicholas leads with a strategic and collaborative approach. While the Board Chair facilitates day-to-day governance, Nicholas ensures the organization’s long-term mission and values are upheld. As the sole founder and owner, he remains focused on expanding Ottawa Sports' impact, championing inclusivity, affordability, and professionalism in both sport and education.
Tonya Hughes
Head of Leadership Development
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Tonya Hughes, P.Eng.
B.A.Sc. Engineering, University of Waterloo
M.A.Sc. Management Science, University of WaterlooWhen she’s not pursuing her sports passions, Tonya oversees a complex Capital Construction portfolio at the Department of National Defense, managing teams of architects and engineers across Canada to support all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces. With expertise in international negotiation and governance, particularly in Export Controls and ITAR, she brings a unique skill set to her work. In addition to her public service role, Tonya has worked in the private sector, focusing on production and process engineering and successfully building a consulting firm from the ground up.
As a young athlete, Tonya competed at the Regional, Provincial, and National levels as a rower in Single and Double Sculls. While she still enjoys recreational boating, she has shifted her competitive focus to sports on frozen water. Tonya is an avid skier and serves as an Official with Alpine Canada Alpin. She is a dedicated volunteer, actively supporting the alpine community with her time and expertise. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Advisory Board for Ottawa Sports, where she contributes her leadership skills and passion for the sport.
Beyond her passion for competitive sports, Tonya has dedicated over a decade to service with Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada, demonstrating her commitment to fostering leadership and community spirit among young people. This dual focus on sports and service highlights her belief in the importance of teamwork and personal growth, both on and off the slopes.
Elijah Jeffery
Director - Programs & Operations
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Elijah Jeffery has been a cornerstone of Ottawa Sports for several years and now serves as the Director of Programs & Operations, leading the ongoing growth and development ensuring every aspect of the organization runs smoothly and supports our athletes, students, members and staff effectively.
A lifelong skier with a passion for teaching, Elijah first certified with the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) in 2018, achieving his Level 1. He earned his CSIA Level 2 in 2022 and is currently working toward completing his Level 3 to further refine his skiing and coaching expertise. He also holds coaching credentials with Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). Not one to stay on just one set of planks, Elijah is also certified with the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI)—earning his Level 1 in 2023 and already working toward Level 2.
Elijah’s background off the slopes is just as impressive. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Carleton University and a Leadership Certificate from Laurentian University, specializing in project management, collaboration, and team-building.
With his mix of technical expertise, leadership skills, and enthusiasm for helping others grow, Elijah is dedicated to making Ottawa Sports the premier destination for academic excellence, equipment services, and skiing and snowboarding at both the recreational and competitive levels—now and well into the future.
Coach Representative & Director at Large
Dave Senior
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Dave Senior is a highly experienced telecommunications executive with decades of expertise leading global teams for a Europe-based multinational equipment manufacturer. Now retired from corporate life, Mr. Senior has extensive experience managing large, international product development teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, supporting one of the industry’s most significant global routing and optical networking product portfolios. For the six years leading up to his retirement, Mr. Senior managed his company’s Corporate Real Estate function across North America, South America, and the Caribbean. He was responsible for over a hundred product development, sales, marketing, and customer support locations, as well as multiple large-scale construction projects, overseeing an annual budget of approximately CAD $250 million.
An engineer by training, Mr. Senior has gained substantial experience in mergers & acquisitions, product management & marketing, software verification, finance, contract negotiation, and corporate real estate. He also brings prior Board of Directors experience, having served on the board of the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF), a California-based non-profit, where he held roles as a board member, VP of Marketing, and Treasurer. Mr. Senior holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University (1985) and is a licensed professional engineer (P.Eng) in the Province of Ontario.
An avid alpine skier for nearly 40 years, Mr. Senior is a fully trained and accredited Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance (CSIA) Level 2 Ski Instructor and an Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) Entry-Level ski coach. With nearly 20 years of ski teaching experience and close to 15 years of coaching young ski racers in both recreational and competitive programs, Mr. Senior currently serves as the Coach Representative on the Advisory Board of Directors with Ottawa Sports.
Head Coach
Eric Roesler
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Eric brings over 20 years of coaching experience to his role as Head Coach at Ottawa Sports. As a Performance Level coach with Alpine Canada Alpin (ACA) and a Level 2 instructor with the Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA), Eric is dedicated to building a high-performance, athlete-centered environment where every skier & rider can reach their full potential.
His coaching philosophy focuses on developing the whole athlete—technically, mentally, and physically—through a positive and supportive approach. Eric is committed to helping athletes achieve success in all aspects of the sport, whether it’s earning “Most Improved,” reaching personal bests, or winning at the provincial level. He believes in building confident, adaptable skiers who love what they do and are prepared for long-term success in and beyond alpine racing.
A former racer with the Calabogie Ski Team, Eric also spent four years living and skiing in Fernie, B.C., where he sharpened his skills and gained valuable experience in big mountain terrain. His leadership style is rooted in the belief that a strong team culture is key to athlete development—a principle captured in Ottawa Sports core motto:
“Train smart, Train hard, Train together.”
In the summer months, Eric runs a successful custom home building company, where his attention to detail and passion for craftsmanship continue to shine. Whether on the hill or on the job site, Eric brings energy, focus, and a deep commitment to excellence in everything he does.
Chair & Conflict Resolution
Nancy Miqdadi
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Nancy is an accomplished Harvard executive with extensive experience in driving change and leading transformational projects within Fortune 500 companies. With a background in finance, she has worked with the largest Canadian financial institutions as well as international banks, demonstrating a proven track record of managing diverse teams and fostering innovative solutions that enhance organizational effectiveness. Nancy is also certified in Risk Management and Compliance & Ethics, reinforcing her commitment to best practices in governance.
In addition to her corporate experience, Nancy has worked and volunteered with various non-profits and charities, where she has applied her expertise to strengthen operational frameworks and support sustainable growth. Passionate about training and development, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their full potential.
Nancy’s unique blend of corporate, financial, and non-profit experience positions her to contribute effectively to the board, driving impactful strategies that align with the Ottawa Sports’ mission and values.
Athlete Representative & Director at Large
Matthew Hughes
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Matthew’s foray into the world of racing began at the age of 8, when he first slid into the Clifford Racing program at Mt. Pakenham. His early experiences laid the foundation for a deep-seated passion for alpine skiing, leading him to become the very first athlete to join the Ottawa Sports Alpine Club. Over the years, Matthew's dedication and hard work have taken him from his initial club races to the U19 podium, marking significant milestones in his athletic career.
With a decade of training and competitive racing behind him, Matthew is beginning the transition from athlete to coach. He is committed to sharing his knowledge and experience with younger racers, fostering their skills and helping them navigate the challenges of the sport. Matthew’s mentorship is fueled by his desire to inspire the next generation of athletes to excel in alpine skiing and have fun doing it.
Beyond the slopes, Matthew is a student at Carleton University, where he is studying Architectural Engineering. Balancing his academic pursuits with his love for skiing, he embodies the spirit of dedication and resilience. Whether he’s racing down a mountain or tackling complex engineering challenges, Matthew is driven by perseverance and a commitment to growth—both personally and within the alpine skiing community.
Officials Chair & Parent Representative
Isabelle Brulotte
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Isabelle Brulotte serves as the Officials Chair and Parent Representative on the Ottawa Sports Advisory Board. Isabelle is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (CPA) and holds a Bachelor's degree in "Sciences Comptables" and a Certificate in Superior Studies specialized in accounting from Université du Québec en Outaouais. She has also completed the In-Depth Tax Program from CPA Canada. With experience working in accounting firms and industry sectors in Ottawa, she joined the Federal Government in 2014.
Isabelle was introduced to alpine skiing by her children, one of whom became a ski racer, inspiring her to become an ACA Official. Prior to her involvement in skiing, Isabelle was active on fields and in gymnasiums, playing soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee. She was also certified by the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP), underscoring her commitment to youth sports and athletics.
Curriculum & Mental Performance Manager
Alexandre Rocheleau
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Alexandre Rocheleau is an avid skier and coach in the Ottawa area. Having grown up in the region, Alexandre is familiar with the local skiing community and its needs.
Alex began working in the ski community within the CSIA (Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance) in 2016. He has since achieved his Level 3 and Trainer designations, becoming a Course Conductor for the organization. He has also completed his ACA (Alpine Canada Alpin) Entry Level certification and has been coaching for eight years. Dedicated to his professional growth, he is currently working towards further certifications within the CSIA and ACA. Alex holds a position on the coaching staff of the University of Ottawa’s FIS Alpine Race Team and regularly leads Level 1 courses under the CSIA.
Alex earned his Bachelor’s degree in Human Kinetics with a specialization in Education and Coaching (2023) and his Master’s degree in Sport Psychology (2024) from the University of Ottawa. He currently helps individuals and groups in sports and music contexts reach their performance goals through education in mental and life skills. He also collaborates with educators and coaches to maximize their educational impact through a mental performance lens. Alex is a practicing Provisional Mental Performance Consultant within the CSPA (Canadian Sport Psychology Association) and is pursuing certification to become a CMPC (Certified Mental Performance Consultant).
Within Ottawa Sports, Alex brings a mental performance perspective to the organization. He works with athletes and coaches on developing mental skills to support success in their short- and long-term goals. Having built the pillars of his practice on the importance of self-awareness, Alex believes that to be successful, we must understand and surpass ourselves as performers and as people, as both must operate in conjunction. He also regularly builds and refines educational curricula to promote the quality and modernization of programs offered by Ottawa Sports.