Board of Directors

Hike Ontario Executive Committee 2024-2025

Chair and President Mike Bender
Vice President Shompa Hai
Treasurer Roma Juneja
Secretary Sharen Yaworski
Chair, Education and Certification Committee
Tom Friesen
Chair, Advocacy and Policy Committee Bill Mungall
Chair, Risk Management and Insurance Committee Frieda Baldwin
Chair, Communications Committee Carla Agnesi

Hike Ontario Board 2024-2025

Carla Agnesi Director at Large
Ian Bailey Thames Valley Trail Association
Frieda Baldwin Director at Large
Mike Bender Director at Large
Mike Curtis Guelph Hiking Trail Club
Jane Foster Avon Trail
Tom Friesen Director at Large
Roland Gatti Humber Valley Heritage Trail Association
Shompa Hai Director at Large
Roma Juneja Director at Large
Dave Kirkpatrick Elgin Hiking Trail Club
Conrad Kuiper Bayfield River Valley Trail Association
Hugh McGregor Maitland Trail Association
Bill Mungall Director at Large
Garry Niece Oak Ridges Trail Association
Tracy Parsons Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association
Carolynn Reid Voyageur Trail Association
Raymond Soucy Elora Cataract Trailway Association
Didier Thevenard Grand Valley Trail Association
Jacquie van Dyke Bruce Trail Conservancy
Sharen Yaworski Rideau Trail Association

Standing Committees

You may contact all committee chairs via: info@hikeontario.com

Education and Certification Committee

This committee is responsible for:

  • Managing Hike Leader Certification Program
  • Managing Long Distance Hiker Awards Program
  • Managing Safe Hiker Program
  • Developing and implementing new programs as appropriate
  • Liaising between Hike Ontario and course delivery agents such as clubs, colleges, universities and outdoor recreation programs

Advocacy and Policy Committee

This committee is responsible for:

  • Representation on Ontario Trails Council
  • Representation on Hike Canada
  • Considering and, as required, investigating issues, policies and advocacy matters brought to the attention of the committee by the board or executive or general membership
  • Identifying trends and issues that impact hikers and speaking or acting as Hike Ontario representing Ontario hikers
  • Developing and maintaining relationships with government departments and ministries and other recreational users groups
  • Representing the views and concerns of the hiking and walking community with respect to government actions and policies
  • Developing and implementing policy statements and position papers when needed

Risk Management and Insurance Committee

This committee is responsible for:

  • Insurance matters including hosting workshops and information sessions on risk management issues and liability insurance
  • Strategic planning
  • Membership program
  • Volunteer recruitment, training and placement
  • Pursuing best practices, sound advice and proactively engaging in and encouraging safe practices and education
  • Identifying threats to the ongoing operation of hiking trail associations
  • The risk management program including reviewing, updating and publishing the Hike Ontario risk management manual as needed
  • Liaising with member clubs on best practices and risk mitigation