Three (3) director positions are open for election at the 2023 Ontario Basketball Annual Meeting of Members, as per By-Law 1 of Ontario Basketball.
The following three (3) nominees are running for election:
- Chanel Williams
- Michael Joseph
- Ryan Xavier
The Board of Director Nominee Profiles below provide an overview of the credentials of each nominee.
Chanel Williams
Resume Highlights
- Current Talent Acquisition Consultant at Centennial College.
- Professor in Human Resources department at Centennial College.
- Former Talent Acquisition & Client Support Associate at Scarborough Health Network.
- Member of HRPA, working towards CHRP designation.
- Ability to build strong partnerships and consult with employees at all levels of an organization.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to provide appropriate solutions through effective communication.
- Post-Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management – Seneca College.
- Bachelor of Arts – University of Windsor.
Application Questionnaire
- A brief summary of your experience within the sport community and any experience with OBA.
I have become more engaged with sport of basketball through my contacts in the industry. I have had the opportunity to see the growth of the game firsthand and would be thrilled with an opportunity to be part of the continued growth of the game moving forward by joining the OBA Board of Directors.
- A brief summary of your experience with other voluntary or community organizations.
I have volunteered in the past with several non-profit organizations that catered towards at-risk youth finding employment. I have also been fortunate enough to help create opportunities to educate and train student athletes and providing them life skills to obtain entry level jobs.
- Additional skills or competencies that you believe would contribute to the effective leadership and governance of Ontario Basketball.
I am currently a Talent Acquisition Consultant and Professor in the Human Resources department – both roles with Centennial College. I am a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association and am working towards my Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation. As such, I have an extensive background in human resources management and talent acquisition, and I would seek to bring my HR knowledge to the Board of Ontario Basketball.
- The reason for your interest in serving and the contribution you would like to make to the Ontario Basketball Board of Directors.
The game of basketball has always been a passion of mine from early on, and I am happy to contribute to the game through my current profession. I believe that having a member of the Board of Directors with extensive knowledge of HR is key to good governance.
Michael Joseph
Resume Highlights:
- Financial Trader, Equity Securities.
- Bachelor of Arts, Major Political Science & Business Management – Concordia University.
- Investment Management / Trading courses – Canadian Securities Institute.
- Registered Trader for Securities with IIROC.
- Business Analysis Certificate – Sheridan College.
- Coach with Mississauga Monarchs, MUMBA (NCCP Level 2).
- Referee with York and Peel Boards of Officiating.
Application Questionnaire
- A brief summary of your experience within the sport community and any experience with OBA
I have my level 1 & 2 coaching certifications, help Mississauga Monarchs with their Jr. NBA program, and have also worked for Markham Unionville Minor Basketball Association.
- A brief summary of your experience with other voluntary or community organizations.
I volunteer with a teen program call Lead where I prepare students for university and share stories about getting your first job. I also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes for families. I also try to volunteer every year in the Autism Basketball Tournament, whether helping with scorekeeping or refereeing.
- Additional skills or competencies that you believe would contribute to the effective leadership and governance of Ontario Basketball.
I am a licensed financial trader under the investment industry regulatory organization of Canada, which deals with risk management, regulatory rules in doing paper trades, and client privacy. I am very detail-oriented and always aware of financial risk.
- The reason for your interest in serving and the contribution you would like to make to the Ontario Basketball Board of Directors.
I want to make basketball more accessible for at-risk youth and those who can’t afford it. Make information accessible to parents for programming and process, and have more unity between coaches and officials.
Ryan Xavier
Resume Highlights:
- Field House Supervisor Events, Rentals, Leagues and Special Projects – Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre.
- Professional competencies: Strategic Planning & Vision; Industry Awareness; Budgeting & Forecasting; Relationship Management; Strategic Partnerships; Team Building & Leadership
- Strong sports background accompanied with a vast knowledge of the sporting industry.
- Proven ability to work in a highly diverse environment and outstanding customer service skills.
- Expert in using tact, judgement and diplomacy.
Application Questionnaire
- A brief summary of your experience within the sport community and any experience with OBA:
Over the past 12 years, I have been an active and dedicated member of the basketball community. My passion for the game stems from my early years of playing, transitioning to coaching, then management and administration of the game for all.
I have spent time with several different organizations in the basketball community, including: National Basketball League of Canada, City of Markham, Toronto Raptors, Canadian Basketball League, North American Indigenous Games, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and lastly Ontario Basketball.
From 2019 to 2020, I worked for Ontario Basketball as Coordinator, Elite Development, where I oversaw the expansion of the OSBA to the OSBA Junior Series & OSBA Challenge Series. In my role at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, I have overseen OBL and Provincial Championships hosting at the facility for the last several years and acted as the site supervisor. I have hosted other major basketball events at TPASC including the OFSAA AAA basketball finals, 2019 Jr. NBA Global Championship – Canada Regional Finals, Canadian Basketball League, and the Invictus Games.
- A brief summary of your experience with other voluntary or community organizations:
Coaching & Mentorship
I have coached basketball with two OBA affiliated clubs: MUMBA (2010-2015) and Toronto City Elite (2015-2019). In my coaching roles I have mentored boys and young men to achieve success on and off the court and in addition ensuring they respect the game.
Director, Smooth Way to Success
Smooth Way to Success is a non-profit which helps keep young people out of the criminal justice system, by giving them community service hours to score keep at basketball events. Through Smooth Way to Success, I have: 1) Developed and fostered programming for at-risk youth in the Scarborough area. 2) Organized camp and clinic delivery for youth. 3) Managed partners, sponsors, and fundraising opportunities.
Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
My role at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre has allowed me to take on multiple co-op and internship students over the course of the year. I have built a strong a successful program where students are actively involved in the planning and execution of the events we run. An integral part of the program is that the students are engaged in meaningful work – Many of which are hired on in a part-time capacity after completing their program requirements.
- Additional skills or competencies that you believe would contribute to the effective leadership and governance of Ontario Basketball:
I have a diploma in Business Administration – Marketing and a graduate certificate in Sport Business Management, both from Durham College. Both certifications have provided me with a strong foundation for working in sport and recreation.
Extensive experience in drafting policies, process, and procedures for sport related activities and in addition served on multiple youth advisory boards.
I am responsible for approximately $500,000 in revenue generation in my role at TPASC – This demonstrates my ability to generate partnerships and manage a variety of events, while balancing schedules and competing interests. It is also a display of my business acumen.
In my role at TPASC I am also responsible for hiring, training, and managing approximately 40 part-time staff who assist me with event operations.
Familiarity with the rules and nuances of the game of basketball & game and tournament management.
Expert in game operations, CCAA, OCAA, CIS, OUA, NCAA, and FIBA policies and procedures, Ontario Basketball’s rules and regulations.
Customer service experience, which will help with managing opposing membership viewpoints on the Board of Directors.
Experience working with children and youth.
Liaising with NSO’s & PSO’s, UTSC, Centennial College, High Performance athletes that are Olympic bound at TPASC.
Event experience – sponsorship (activation – signage, overlay, booths), registration, spectator management, problem solving, scheduling, parking, staffing and volunteer management.
Senior level contacts in all levels of basketball within the Province and Country. From CEBL and their franchises, NBL Canada, NBA G League, NBA Canada, and the NBA.
Accompanied with strong relationships with clubs across the GTA and Province, including club presidents, coaches and managers.
- The reason for your interest in serving and the contribution you would like to make to the Ontario Basketball Board of Directors.
I am interested in re-election to the Ontario Basketball Board of Directors because my familiarity with the organization runs deep. I understand the needs of the organization and the support that is required from the board level to ensure the organization is operating at its full potential. My goal is to continue to support the amazing work the new board has done this past year, and continue to support the initiatives that are already in place.
Furthermore, having worked at Ontario Basketball I understand the way the organization operates, the closeness the staff have with one another and the flow of a typical OBA Season. I have also hosted OBA events, coached OBA-sanctioned basketball, as well convened many OBA tournaments.
After being an active member of the basketball and sport community for a very long time I have built a strong network of relationships and contacts that have helped me grow within the sport. I will bring a strong network relationships and contacts that can help the board in growing their reach. I have built a strong background in sport and can bring in depth knowledge of not only basketball, but the overall sport and recreation sector. I am strong leader who also understands that at times, it’s better to be present in a supporting role to reach our goals and objectives as a team.
I am very proud of the fact that during my time on the Board, we have made it a priority to have a more diverse Board of Directors, which I believe is very important. I would continue to bring a unique take on a variety of topics while providing an opportunity to observe the landscape from a different lens.
The immediate contribution I can make to the organization is assisting in facilitating partnerships and sponsorships. I have a proven track record in coordinating mutually beneficially partnerships that promote long lasting and profitable relationships. My experience also includes fundraising, activations, galas, charitable donations, sponsorships, and partnerships.