Dr. Kelly Arbour Nicitopoulos is a Professor within the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and an Advisory Member of the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre at the University of Toronto. She is also an Adjunct Scientist at the Bloorview Research Institute within Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and a co-Investigator of the Canadian Disability Participation Project. Kelly leads a program of research that is theory-driven, using both quantitative and qualitative methods to measure, understand, and change physical activity behaviour in persons experiencing disability. Her work is founded in knowledge mobilization, where she collaborate with families and persons experiencing disability as well as community organizations to ensure the research she is involved in is able to address relevant and timely needs of the disability community. 

Neeka Barnes has worked in the early learning and care field for the 46 years. She has a diverse background that includes roles as a home child care provider and consultant, life skills coach, college professor and college program coordinator. For the past 17 years, she has worked as a Director at Andrew Fleck Children’s Services. She is excited and passionate about building partnerships, providing high quality client centric service, creating meaningful and joyful outdoor experiences for children and families, and working with others who are committed to the values and vision of Andrew Fleck Children’s Services.

Lisa Belton has dedicated over 24 years to the early learning and care field, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to her roles. She has served as an educator and program coordinator and currently holds the position of Director at Andrew Fleck Children’s Services.  She is deeply committed to building strong partnerships, creating inclusive environments, and empowering others to reach their full potential. In February 2024, Lisa obtained her Forest and Nature School Practitioner certification, reflecting her passion for outdoor play and nature-based learning. She believes in the transformative power of outdoor experiences for children and is dedicated to integrating these opportunities into early childhood education.

Dr. Louise de Lannoy completed her PhD at Queen’s University in clinical exercise physiology. Her interests in population health and knowledge translation led her to join the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Team at the CHEO Research Institute where she became involved in and helped grow Outdoor Play Canada into the not-for-profit organization it is today. Louise is passionate about environmental stewardship, finding daily joy and wonder outdoors, and thinking creatively and collaboratively about whole-of-community challenges.  She can’t believe her luck in finding such a joyous, satisfying, and playful form of work that aligns almost magically with these passions. Outside of OPC, Louise enjoys exploring Ottawa by running, cycling and skiing through it and winding down at the end of the day on the couch with a glass of wine, her partner Jeff, and their geriatric puppy.

Kim Hiscott is a registered Early Childhood Educator living in Ottawa, Canada and the Executive Director of Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, a large not-for-profit multi-service, multi-site organization that includes licensed early learning and care, special needs resourcing and support for parents. She is passionate about outdoor play, learning about intergenerational programming, inspired by collaborative, reflective Educators and keen to investigate non-traditional partnerships for system building that respects all children and families. 

Dr. Maeghan James is a post-doctoral fellow with the Healthy Active Living and Obesity (HALO) Research Group working under the supervision of Dr. Mark Tremblay at the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play (CCOP). Maeghan completed her PhD at the University of Toronto where her research program focused on understanding the role of parents for supporting children’s motor development and physical activity during early childhood. Maeghan’s current research focuses on the promotion of inclusive outdoor active play for all children and understanding the impact of outdoor play on holistic development and well-being in the early years. Maeghan is passionate about promoting physical activity and play among children of all abilities and has had the privilege to work with and learn from children and youth for over 10 years. Maeghan strives to engage and partner with children, families and community members to conduct meaningful and impactful research. Outside of her work with HALO and CCOP, Maeghan enjoys spending time outdoors by cycling, playing sports, walking her dog Eddie and camping.

Lisa Lalonde has a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from Royal Roads University. She is a PhD candidate in Applied Psychology & Human Development, OISE, University of Toronto. Lisa is a professor/coordinator of the Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development degree at Algonquin College. Lisa has over 20 years of experience working with children, families, and the broader early-learning community. Her areas of interest and research are in examining the professional identity and engagement of ECEs, and the role of play and pedagogy in early learning.and is working on a number of exciting community-based initiatives.

Professor Mark Tremblay has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Sports Administration and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education degree from Laurentian University. His graduate training was from the University of Toronto where he obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the Department of Community Health with a specialty in Exercise Science. Dr. Tremblay is a Senior Scientist with the Healthy Active Living and Obesity (HALO) Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute and Professor of Pediatrics in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, President of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, Founder of the Sedentary Behaviour Research Network, President of Outdoor Play Canada, and Adjunct/Visiting Professor at five other universities on four continents. Dr. Tremblay has published >600 scientific papers and book chapters in the areas of childhood obesity, physical activity measurement, exercise physiology, sedentary physiology, outdoor play and health surveillance. According to Scopus, his h-index is 108 and his published research has been cited >49,000 times, consistently placing him on the Clarivate list of highly cited researchers (top 1% in the world). He has delivered or coauthored over 1,000 scholarly conference presentations, including more than 150 invited and keynote addresses, in 22 different countries. Dr. Tremblay received an honorary doctorate from Nipissing University, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Lawson Foundation 60th Anniversary Award, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Honour Award and John Sutton Memorial Lecturer Award, the Victor Marchessault Advocacy Award from the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Vic Neufeld Mentorship Award in Global Health Research from the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research, the International Network of Time-Use Epidemiologists Laureate Award, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Trailblazer Award in Population and Public Health Research, and the Obesity Canada Distinguished Lecturer Award for his leadership contributions to healthy active living in Canada and around the world. Dr. Tremblay’s most productive work has resulted from his 35-year marriage to his wife Helen, yielding four wonderful children.

Alessia Capone (she/her) is a second year PhD student working under the supervision of Dr. Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos in the ADAPT Lab at the University of Toronto, in collaboration with the CCOP. Alessia received a Master of Professional Kinesiology (MPK) at the University of Toronto in 2022.

Bayan Kaid is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) who recently graduated from the Bachelor or Early Learning and Community Development (BELCD) honours degree program at Algonquin College. Bayan has an advanced diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications Management and a diploma in Early Childhood Education. With a keen interest in connecting policy, research, and practice, Bayan is elated for the opportunity to refine her skills and carry on the mission of her predecessor, Mallory. Similar to Mallory, her focus is on continuing to build capacity and thought-leadership for outdoor play stakeholders, as well as leading advocacy initiatives for the promotion of outdoor play in the early years. Having a deep passion for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), Bayan is excited to find ways to make the benefits of outdoor learning accessible for all.

Amy Jo Smith is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a Resource Consultant with Children’s Inclusion Support Services, seconded to the CCOP for our project supporting children with disabilities in outdoor play and learning in natural spaces.  She has been co – learning alongside children and families in diverse settings for the past two decades, and is passionate about creating accessible, welcoming spaces for children of all abilities to grow, explore and thrive. She has continued her learning journey in becoming a Forest and Nature School Practitioner and Trauma Competent Care Practitioner. She loves to be outdoors connecting, playing, and exploring alongside children, sharing their wonder and joy of discovery,  and learning together from the resilience and beauty of the natural world.  She can be found outdoors in all seasons –   hiking a forest trail,  enjoying Ottawa’s waterways on a bike path or a paddleboard, or skiing on one of the many winter trails!

Paula ter Huurne is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, outdoor enthusiast, and lifelong learner; she has a diploma in Early Childhood Education from Algonquin College, completing her final practicum in New Zealand studying the Te Whāriki curriculum and an Honours degree in Linguistics with a Concentration in Psycholinguistics and Communication Disorders from Carleton University. Paula has over a decade of experience working with children and families in diverse early learning and community settings. She is also a dedicated Camp Quality volunteer, serving pediatric oncology families, with experience in providing outdoor programs, fundraising, and event coordinating. Paula is passionate about equitable social change, environmental stewardship, language-rich environments for young children, and outdoor opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.