Board of Trustees

Meet the Board of Trustees, a dedicated group of leaders guiding the vision and mission of the BC Sports Hall of Fame.  Their leadership ensures that the Hall continues to educate, engage, and recognize excellence in sport, connecting communities with the rich athletic heritage of the province.

 

 

Executives

Tom Mayenknecht, Chair

Tom Mayenknecht is the founder and host of The Sport Market, a national sport business radio show and media platform launched in partnership with TSN Radio in 2008. With over 16 years in this role, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the sport business sector. In addition to his work with The Sport Market, Tom is the Principal at EMBLEMATICA Brand Builders, where he continues to influence the industry. His extensive experience includes notable positions in the front offices of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors, Vancouver Giants, Tennis Canada, and earning the title of Executive of the Year with the National Lacrosse League (NLL) in 2001.

Wendy Pattenden, Vice Chair

Wendy Pattenden has served as CEO of Canadian Sport Institute Pacific since 1999, leading the strategic direction to ensure athletes and coaches have every advantage to win medals for Canada. Under her collaborative leadership style, Canadian Sport Institute Pacific has forged dynamic relationships with federal, provincial and local governments and other key stakeholders such as partnering with over 20 National Sport Organizations, employing more than 90+ specialized experts all in support of a dynamic training environment in BC. Wendy is one of the main architects of the PacificSport regional network and the guiding force behind the Sport For Life movement. She volunteers on the boards of the Canadian Olympic Committee (Olympic Supporter), Sport For Life Society (formerly Chair) and most recently with Pickleball Canada. A former top 100-ranked professional tennis player and Olympic Coach for Tennis Canada, Wendy was named Female Athlete of the Year (City of Greater Victoria) in 1978 and was inducted to the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

Gareth Rees, Vice Chair

Gareth Rees was a standout player for Canada at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals against the New Zealand All Blacks. Their formidable performance was so notable that it was cited as a factor in New Zealand’s later loss to Australia. This remains Canada's best World Cup result. Rees received the Rugby Union Writers’ Club special award for services to world rugby, one of only six recipients, and was named one of the top 12 players of the twentieth century by the International Rugby Board in 2007.

Ross Wolrige, Treasurer

Ross Wolrige, CPA, CA, is a Vancouver-based accountant who works in the family office space. He began his career at a mid-size firm, where he gained extensive experience working with a diverse array of companies and not-for-profit organizations. Ross became involved with the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 when he joined the Finance Committee. He was elected as a Trustee in 2020 and has served as Treasurer since 2021. Passionate about the role of sports in youth development, Ross is dedicated to the Hall’s mission to honour the past and inspire future generations.

Trustees

Gina Iandiorio

Gina Iandiorio is the Principal of g2 Services Ltd, a business consulting firm she founded in 2017. She provides high-level strategic advice on all facets of the Gambling industry. Gina is a graduate of Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and in 2018 she completed her certificate in Gaming Management at the University of Reno, Nevada. Gina makes it a priority to volunteer with a number of philanthropic organizations including 10 years with the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and Director-Canadian Sport Institute, , Director-BC Gaming Industry Association, member of the Host Organizing Committee for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship, and past Director for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, NABS BC., Be-a-Giant, and the Improv Centre. In 2019 she received the Sport BC President's award for her volunteerism.

Carolynn Boomer

Carolynn Boomer has been the Executive Director of PacificSport Interior BC since 1995. A former Provincial Team BC volleyball player, she achieved success with the Kamloops Senior Women’s team and Cariboo College, where she was named MVP and helped the team place 5th at the Canadian Collegiate Championship. Carolynn continues to compete in volleyball, lacrosse and athletics, earning a silver medal in shot-put at the World Masters Games and setting several Canadian records. She coached women’s volleyball for four years at the University College of the Cariboo (now Thompson Rivers University). Carolynn was also selected at Mission Staff for Team Canada for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and as multiple Canada Summer and Winter Games as Team BC Mission Staff.

Dale Harris

Dale Harris, President of BLF Sports Medicine - OHANA EVENTS & MARKETING since November 2023, is transitioning into retirement after over 30 years in sports medicine retail and wholesale. Though retiring from his previous role, Dale remains active, enjoying work with Toyota Pacific, Adam’s Apples, UGC, and Coastal Jazz. His father Charlie’s lessons on staying busy and enjoying one’s work continue to inspire him in this new chapter.

Greg Keith

Gregory Keith, a former standout in the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs, earned a full-ride hockey scholarship to the University of Denver. There, he played a crucial role in securing the Pioneers' first NCAA National Championship in over 35 years. Gregory is also a strong advocate for Special Olympics, recognizing its impact on individuals with intellectual disabilities. He has witnessed firsthand how sport programs and competitions build confidence and skills in athletes of all ages and understands the significant difference his support can make.

Joan McMaster

Joan McMaster has been a Board Member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame since 2007, actively contributing and donating for over 17 years. She has also been involved in Tennis since 1987 and served on the Tennis Matters Committee for Tennis Canada and serves on committees that are organizing both provincial and national events such as the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup. Prior, Joan has served on the Boards for the UBC Men’s and Women’s Golf Team, the Historical Committee for Vancouver Lawn Tennis & Badminton Club, and the Pacific Northwest Tennis Association. Joan completed a Degree in Marketing & Fundraising at BCIT.

Lara Mussell Savage

Lara Mussell Savage, MBA, BKin, is the Director of Sport at I·SPARC (Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council). Proud of her Sqwá First Nation (Stó:lō/Pelolxw) ancestry and a dedicated athlete, Lara focuses her passion on Indigenous sport and youth. Lara was awarded Canada’s National Tom Longboat Award for Female Indigenous Athlete of the Year 2005 and has competed in 4 World Championships in the sport of Ultimate, winning 2 gold and 2 bronze medals. Lara’s career in sport has included management roles with the Air Canada PGA TOUR Championship, BC Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, VANOC, and she was one of five experts invited to join the BC 2030 Feasibility Team with the Four Host First Nations to explore an Indigenous-led bid to host the 2030 Winter Games. Lara was inducted into the Chilliwack Sports Hall of Fame (2016) and into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame (2024) for her achievements in and contribution to sport. Lara also served as an elected Councillor for Sqwá First Nation for ten years including as Chief, 2020-2023.

Alison Noble

Alison Noble has been the President & CEO of the BC Games Society since October 2018. In this role, she oversees the delivery of the BC Summer and Winter Games and manages Team BC for the Canada Games. Her work involves collaborating with sport partners, stakeholders, and communities across the province to foster opportunities for athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, and communities to achieve excellence.

Aziz Rajwani

Aziz (Sammy) Rajwani is a respected figure in the sports and business community, bringing over 30 years of experience in both education and broadcasting. Since April 2008, he has been a Special Guest and Contributor on "The Sport Market" on Sportsnet 650, where he provides expert insights into the business of sports. His background in academia is equally impressive, having served as a Sessional Lecturer at the Sauder School of Business at UBC since September 1993, and as an Instructor at the Langara School of Management since August 1994. Aziz has been a Member of the Board of Trustees for the BC Sports Hall of Fame since November 2017, where he contributes to the preservation and promotion of British Columbia’s rich sports history. His extensive experience in both education and sports management has made him a trusted authority in the field, known for his passion for sports, education, and community service.

Samantha Chang

Samantha Chang is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer with particular expertise in corporate and commercial disputes, securities litigation and class action defence. She is recognized for her practical approach to litigation. Samantha has served as the President of the Vancouver Bar Association. She co-hosts The Broadscast Podcast and contributes to The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650. Previously, she was on Yahoo Sports Canada's ZoneTime and SDPN's Game Over: Vancouver. Samantha was recognized in The Hockey News' 2023 Money and Power issue for social change and is co-chair of the BC Sports Hall of Fame's Induction Week.