Who We Are
Skate Ontario is a unique body which was incorporated in 1982 as the sole Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) recognized by the Ontario Government for figure skating in the Province of Ontario. Our organization is comprised of 325+ Member Clubs and Skating Schools. We provide developmental and competitive opportunities for approximately 75,000 participants including competitive, recreational and Special Olympic skaters as well as coaches, officials, and volunteers.
Skate Ontario is an organization dedicated to delivering the best programs and events to support skating for fun, fitness and achievement.
Skate Ontario is committed to supporting a safe, inclusive and respectful skating environment across the province.
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Andrea Derby began skating at the age of four with the Oshawa Skating Club and has competed at five National Championships (1976-1982) in the Novice, Junior and Senior Pairs events.
Upon retiring from competitive skating, Andrea started training to become a judge. She has now been volunteering as an official for over 40 years as an ISU Championship Judge, International Referee and ISU Technical Controller, and Skate Ontario Official.
Andrea’s volunteer experience has included Athlete Representative on the EOS Section Board, Technical Representative for competitions in WOS, Clinic Leader, WOS Officials’ Committee member, monitor for the WOS Centre of Excellence and Director on the Skate Ontario Board. She has been a member of the Skate Canada Program Development Committee and High Performance Development Committee and currently sits on the Skate Canada Officials Assignment and Promotion Committee
Andrea has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University and a Master’s degree in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Maggie Head grew up as an active Skate Canada athlete. Her passion for skating led her to pursue her coaching certification in 2001. Maggie is honoured to have been a part of the Canadian Senior National Synchronized Skating Team, representing Canada internationally, for two years: NEXXICE (2005) and Black Ice (2007). She is a National trained coach and is currently the coach of Team Storm – an adult synchronized skating team.
Maggie graduated from Queen’s University with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree and from the University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management with a Master of Business Administration. She is currently a Community Manager at the Royal Bank of Canada.
In addition to the Skate Ontario Board, Maggie has sat on two not-for-profit boards – one as the Secretary of the Magnatawan Pioneer Association Board; working to increase member and community engagement and involvement; and secondly, as a member of the OneTeamMVMT Board.
Maggie is a strategic thinker, experienced in change management with strong organizational knowledge. As a coach and skater, she has a unique perspective that can assist in strategic decision-making and provides context to Skate Ontario Board members.
Lenny received a Diploma in Business and Marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce degree, while still competing in figure skating. He is the 2003 Canadian pairs champion and competed at the 2002 Olympics. He also has two financial planning designations, including the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), to support his career as a Financial Planner.
Having participated in a number of committees for Skate Canada, Lenny has had the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into the processes, concerns and challenges currently facing the sport of figure skating, particularly in the areas of fundraising and alumni engagement.
Lenny’s experience as an athlete, official and parent of two children in competitive sport make him an invaluable member of the Skate Ontario Board.
Sharon is a successful senior leader in sport with demonstrated strengths in event management and sport administration. She is an advocate for the delivery of quality sport programs and competitions for all, with experience working with international, national and provincial organizations.
Examples of her extensive work experience include serving as the Executive Director of FIFA World Cup 2026, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Canada between 2013 and 2023 and Sr. Vice President, Sport & Strategic Initiatives, at Special Olympics Canada.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Recreation Studies from the University of Manitoba, and has completed the Executive Program in Leading Sustainable Strategic Change at the Schulich School of Business as well as the Risk Management Workshop (Parts 1 & 2) at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Sharon has served on the Skate Ontario board since 2017.
In 2014, Rachel graduated Magna Cum Laude in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration and a Minor in Dance from Middle Tennessee State University while on a full Division I athletic scholarship. She then graduated from Western Law School in 2018 and completed the lawyer licensing process in June 2019, and has since been practicing with Gardiner Roberts LLP’s Business Law Group and Financial Services Group.
While a student-athlete, Rachel served in an athlete leadership role on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee on behalf of the cross country and track and field teams. In voting on proposed NCAA legislation, reviewing and evaluating rules and recommending prospective policies, the seed was planted for her commitment to remaining engaged in the policy side of sport.
Rachel is an expert in areas such as legal compliance, sound policy development, administration and general corporate counselling. Her competencies are greatly beneficial to the good governance, administration, strategic planning and ultimate success of Skate Ontario.
Margie has been involved in figure skating for her entire life, first as a skater, and then as a judge and volunteer. She completed her degree in 1989 and began working at the Ontario Council, Canadian Figure Skating Association (predecessor to Skate Ontario) that same year. She then completed an MBA and embarked on a career in banking and insurance.
Margie has participated in a large number of committees and boards in the not-for-profit sector, including many skating boards and committees. During her time with the Ontario Council, Skate Canada, she became very familiar with the process of obtaining government funding for various skating programs. In this position she was required to use her leadership and organization skills on committees for the development and delivery of coaching, volunteer and skater programs.
Margie has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Guelph.
Matt has extensive experience in the figure skating world, including as a performer with Disney On Ice, a Skate Canada Professional Coach, a Thailand National Team Coach and a resource coach at the Gloucester Skating Club. As a figure skating coach, Matt has engaged extensively with members of local, national, and international skating organizations, demonstrating his abilities in conflict resolution between all stakeholders along with fundraising capabilities.
Matt has a B.A. Honours in Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as a M.A. in International Affairs with a Specialization in International Development Policy, from Carleton University.
Matt has a keen interest in improving member relations by supporting efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in our sport. Having spent his formative skating years in smaller communities, he realizes the challenges that our sport faces in continuing to develop skating in areas outside of large urban centres, and hopes to help develop strong policies and strategies to deal with these issues.
Amanda holds a degree in Applied Economics from Queen's University, and is actively involved in several volunteer organizations, applying her skills in teamwork and leadership. She holds a Certificate in Risk Management from the University of Toronto and an Insurance Broker license. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation in finance, risk management, and analytical thinking.
Her volunteer experience includes acting as Logistics Coordinator on the Queens Student Diversity Project. Amanda’s competencies in governance, risk management, finance, and client relationship management align greatly with the needs of the Skate Ontario Board of Directors.
Alison Simms has been involved in the skating world since enrolling in the Kitchener-Waterloo Skating Club’s CanSkate program in the 1970s. In 2010, she started volunteering at KWSC by supporting events, competitions and Learn-to-Skate programs and also became the KWSC Representative to the Grand River Skating Council and the Fundraising Lead for the KWSC Ice Show. She also served on the club’s board between 2013 and 2021.
Alison has received numerous accolades for her service to KWSC, including the KWSC Volunteer of the Year Award in 2012, the KSA Volunteer Recognition Award in 2014 and the Jack Coker Award in 2017. Her skills in finance, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and leadership are of great benefit to the organizations she is involved with.
Alison holds a Specialist in Labour Management Relations from the University of Toronto and has worked both in professional recruitment, sales, administration and management.
