Board

	Andrew Nisker - President, Tennis While on a tennis scholarship at Vanderbilt University, Andrew won the SEC Singles Championship and was honoured as the outstanding graduating student-athlete in the south-east region of the NCAA. After graduation Andrew pursued a career in professional tennis. His career highlights include being named to the Davis Cup Team in 2002, teaming with Frank Dancevic in 2002 to reach the round of 16 of the Tennis Masters Series Event in Toronto and representing Canada in the 2003 Pan Am Games. After retiring from tennis Andrew earned his LL.B/M.B.A. degree from the University of Western Ontario and the Ivey School of Business. He is a Crown Attorney representing the Federal Government at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Toronto. Andrew lives in Toronto and enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah, baby Mack and his dog Cheese.
	Erik Petursson - Vice President, Diving Following 15 years in the sport of springboard and platform diving, Erik returned to the AthletesCAN Board after retiring from competitive sport to direct his passion in sport to contributing to the Canadian sport system. Erik was a National team member from 2003-2007, on both 3-meter and 10-meter spring board, was a national champion on the 1-meter springboard, and three time FISU Games Team Member. Erik attended Louisiana State University (LSU) from 1997-2002 and completed his B.Sc. in International Trade and Finance with a minor in Psychology. He was awarded the Boyd McWhorter award and scholarship for most outstanding student-athlete at LSU while he completed his MBA (Finance) in 2002. Erik was formerly the chair of the Athletes Council for Diving Plongeon Canada and was an AthletesCAN Board Member from 2006-2007. He continues his involvement in diving by volunteering as a judge, coach, and board member of Dive Calgary. He currently lives in Calgary where he works as a financial analyst with ARC Resources Ltd, a sponsor of the Canadian Sport Center Calgary, and pursues his recreational passions for mountain biking and skiing.
	Alexandra Orlando - Treasurer, Rhythmic Gymnastics Alexandra Orlando has been a Canadian Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion since she was 12 years old. Her success started at a young age when she became a 2-time Novice Junior and 5-time Senior Canadian Champion. She is also a 6-time Gold Medal winner at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where she broke a world record for her sport, and was awarded the Commonwealth Female Athlete of the Year award. Her many competitive accomplishments also include multiple Gold medals at the Pan American Games and Pacific Alliance Championships. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, Alexandra represented Canada at the 2008 Olympics and was the only North or South American to qualify. As an active member of the sport community, she presently works with the Commonwealth Games Committee, HBC, and Gymnastics Canada and is working on the 2015 Pan American Games Bid Committee for Toronto. Alexandra is not only an ambassador for Rhythmic Gymnastics, but for all sports. She is also currently working towards a Political Science specialist at the University of Toronto and is contemplating law school for the future.
	Suzanne Weckend - Secretary, Commonwealth Games Canada, Triathlon Suzanne was a national team swimmer from 1991 to 1996, winning two Canadian backstroke titles and competing at the Pan Pacific Championships, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Following her retirement, Suzanne attended the University of Victoria, where she completed her undergraduate degree in political science and history. She also attained her high school teaching certification and training. In her last year of university, Suzanne entered her first triathlon and as soon as she completed the race, she knew she would be tackling another sport. Suzanne went on to compete in the triathlon at the 2004 World Championships and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Suzanne feels lucky to have had the opportunity to compete for her country in two sports. To rekindle her competitive instinct and love of sport was very special to her. She feels very fortunate to have been able to train with the best triathletes and coaches in Canada. Suzanne currently sits on the board of directors of both Commonwealth Games Canada and Triathlon Canada. She is the Aquatics Director at St. Georges' School in Vancouver and when she has time, speaks to school groups about her experience in sport.
	Nicole Forrester, Athletics A 6-time Canadian Champion, Nicole Forrester is one of the top ranked high jumpers in the world. She is a Pan-American Games Silver and Bronze Medalist, World University Silver Medalist, Francophone Games Silver Medalist and a Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist. Nicole is currently completing her PhD in Sports Psychology at Michigan State University and has earned the status as a Doctoral Candidate. She holds a Masters of Education from the University of Texas in Exercise & Sports Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Movement Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management & Communication from the University of Michigan. She has spent over 10 years studying sports and optimal performance as it relates to marketing, physiology, biomechanics and psychology. To this end, Nicole is committed to the pursuit and achievement of excellence for all. Additionally, she is a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Michigan, an athlete representative for Athletics and also owns a consultant business dedicated to optimal performance.
	Thomas Hall, Canoe A member of the national team for Sprint Canoe since 1999, Thomas has been an athlete leader and mentor to many along his journey and is continuing to strengthen this role in Canadian sport by becoming a member of the AthletesCAN Board of Directors. After completing part of a Bachelor of Physical. Education at McGill University, Thomas had to put his education on hold in order to prepare for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He has since changed his academic focus and started a degree in Business Management at Mount St. Vincent University in Halifax, NS. In sport, Thomas has won multiple national championship titles and World Cup medals; was Junior World Champion in 1999; Pan American Champion in 2003; and was named 2008 Overall World Cup Champion heading into the Olympics. Although Thomas’ first Senior World Championship medal came in 2006, the highlight of his career to date was winning the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Outside of sport and school, Thomas enjoys long walks on the beach and maintaining his love for the outdoors. He considers one of his greatest honours is having had an award named after him at his old high school, The Thomas Hall Award for displaying excellence in sportsmanship. His latest adventure involved a 70km outrigger canoe race between two Hawaiian islands. He tries to give back to his sport by mentoring young canoers and kayakers as well as providing technical advice and videos through his website.
	Joshua Riker-Fox, Modern Pentathlon Joshua is both an accomplished modern pentathlete as well as a student. Josh began his career in sport at the age of 5 as an equestrian athlete while growing up on acreage in Delacour, Alberta. Shortly after being introduced to Modern Pentathlon at the age of twelve, Josh was hooked. Since then, Josh has represented Canada at a number of international events including two Pan American Games the second of which in 2007, he won the Bronze medal for Canada, a result which gave him a berth on the 2008 Canadian Olympic Team. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games represent a career highlight for Josh thus far, and he is keenly looking to the future to develop his abilities further. Josh is currently an MBA student at the University of Calgary, studying sport marketing, and enjoys working as a personal trainer at the Calgary Winter Club, as well as public speaking. Josh has always loved sport and looks forward to contributing to positive Canadian sport system progress both on and off the field of play.
	Josh Vander Vies, Boccia Josh is an accomplished international boccia player who has held the number 1 ranking in Canada and has competed in tournaments around the globe. From humble origins in Sarnia, Ontario, to the world stage at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece, he is always willing to tackle a challenge head on. A 2005 Americas Cup silver and bronze medalist, he completed an honours double major in Political Science and French at the University of Western Ontario. Josh was a 2003 national Terry Fox Humanitarian Award recipient. In 2006 he was elected to the International Boccia Committee as Athlete Representative by the boccia players of the world. From his perspective, competitive sport is one of the most powerful catalysts in life and is an opportunity that every Canadian should have access to. With this in mind, he looks forward to engaging the Canadian sport system and representing all athletes.
	Alec Denys - Canadian Paralympic Committee, Archery Graduated from the University of Toronto in 1974 with an Honours B. Sc. Forestry. Since 1974, Alec has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in many locations across Ontario and is currently Director, Great Lakes Branch. Alec started his competitive career in 1980 (swimming, athletics, air pistol and archery) as part of rehabilitation therapy after a spinal cord injury. In 1983 he made the National team in the sport of Archery and has been on the National team and has competed in five Paralympic Games, eight world championships, and won a gold medal in the 1986 Pan American Wheelchair Games and silver in the 1989 World Wheelchair Games. Alec retired from competitive Archery in 2005 and is currently enjoying cycling and cross country sit-skiing.
	David Calder - Canadian Olympic Committee, Rowing David was inspired to start rowing at the age of 14 after watching the men’s and women’s rowing team win gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. David has rowed for 17 years and has represented his community, his province (BC) and his country (Canada) with honour and pride. Before his silver-medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, David won 12 National Championship titles, 11 World Cup medals, and 3 World Championship titles. David has gone on to race on 3 continents, in over 13 countries, and at over 40 international competitions. If he can find enough funding, David plans on racing at the London Olympics in 2012, with one goal: a Gold Medal. David currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia with his wife, their five-year old daughter and one-year old son. On top of training, he works with the BC Public Service as a Special Advisor to the Olympic Games Secretariat. His true passion has always been rowing, and after competing at three Olympic Games and winning a silver medal in Beijing, David stumbled upon a career in motivational speaking. He was elected to the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Council in 2008.

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