Staff & Board of Directors | Recess Guardians

Those Bringing the Recess Guardians Vision to Life.

It takes a village.

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Interested in joining our Board of Directors? Click here

Mike McDonald

Founder / CEO

Mike McDonald is the founder and CEO of Recess Guardians. He was born and raised in Saskatoon, and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Mike has been recognized with numerous accolades over the last few years which include: CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40 award, Child and Youth Friendly Saskatoon’s Children Champion award and Red Cross Saskatchewan’s Young Humanitarian of the Year award. He believes strongly that youth have the power to lead their peers and that getting youth to be more physically active is incredibly important.

Favourite Recess Game:

Rounders (a combination of baseball and tennis)

Kale Johnson

Executive Director, Saskatchewan

Daniel Elson

Program Coordinator

Kale Johnson is the Executive Director of Saskatchewan Blue Cross Recess Guardians. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Kale began working with youth in 2004 and first volunteered with Recess Guardians in 2010. Since that time, he has worked to implement and grow the program across Saskatchewan. He has worked with thousands of students across the province, teaching games and creating new leaders. It’s hard for Kale to pick his absolute favourite thing about the program because he loves all aspects of it. Kale takes great pride in the Saskatchewan Blue Cross Recess Guardians program because it is inclusive, active, and most importantly, fun!

Favourite Recess Game:

One of his favourite games in the program is Fox & Squirrel – it’s simple and requires little equipment, but it’s a hit in every classroom!

Daniel Elson is currently in his 4th year as Program Coordinator with Saskatchewan Blue Cross Recess Guardians. Prior to joining the Recess Guardians team, he volunteered with the program for several years while attending University. Since joining Recess Guardians, his experience has been extraordinary! As someone who grew up loving every minute of recess, he understands the importance of instilling that same love for recess in the youth today. He see’s tremendous value in encouraging youth to lead their fellow peers, and believes it creates a lasting impact for everyone involved. He has always had a passion for working within the community and with youth, and Saskatchewan Blue Cross Recess Guardians gives him the platform to do both.

Favourite Recess Game:

Wall Ball

Kelli Kahovec

Carla Loney-Tindall

Affinity Credit Union | Chair

Consultant | Director | Chair, HR Committee

Kelli Blatchford joined the Recess Guardians Board of Directors in 2019. After hearing about how the program brings play back into the lives of children Kelli was eager to join the board and HR Committee to help Recess Guardians in their Mission Statement. Kelli has worked at Affinity Credit Union on the Human Resources team for the past five years, most recently working as a Training Specialist.

Carla Loney-Tindall has a wealth of experience from her roles as Provincial Director of The Children’s Wish Foundation, Executive Director of the Saskatoon Public School Foundation and Campaign Associate for DCG Philanthropic Services. Her volunteer roles include Board Director positions with Recess Guardians, Wonderhub, the Princess Shop and she is a 100 Women Who Care committee member. As a recent retiree Carla enjoys mentoring people in the sector and she and her husband Joe are generous supporters of several charitable organizations in the community.

Favourite Recess Game:

Grounders

Favourite Recess Game:

Jacks, Skipping and Marbles

Andra Enescu

Champagne Capital Advisory Inc., Founder and CEO | Director | Chair, Governance Committee

Nimco Moumin

LafargeHolcim | Director

Andra Enescu brings extensive leadership experience to Recess Guardians, as a securities lawyer and entrepreneur, Andra specializes in authentically building, creating, and driving value for early-stage organizations with the ability to take them from seed to sale. She is a versatile forward thinker who takes a holistic and strategic approach structuring and developing scalable frameworks in emerging industries. Andra is a an accomplished and proven change agent with international experience in facilitating M&A transactions, skilled in capital raising, management and corporate development of both private and public companies. Andra is passionate about making a difference, she is adept at discovering what motivates individuals and tapping their interests and skills to advance the mission of the organization. Andra is committed to empowering and mentoring youth, she believes in inclusivity and positively shaping the lives of youth.

An avid traveller and foodie, Nimco loves experiencing new cultures and their local cuisines. In her current role Nimco works in Business Development focusing on acquisitions and long-term growth strategies in the construction industry. Nimco holds an undergraduate degree in Actuarial Science and a Masters in Business Administration. A supporter of the Arts, Nimco also currently serves as a board member for a Calgary-based theatre company.

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Favourite Recess Game:

Freeze Tag

Favourite Recess Game:

Kickball

Jantina Kowbel

Canpotex | Director

Jantina Kowbel currently works as an HR Specialist at Canpotex, one of the world’s largest potash exporters. Jantina obtained her Bachelor of Commerce with Honours (including the Co-op and Study Abroad options) from the University of Saskatchewan and has a strong HR background including talent acquisition, employee relations, total rewards, strategy and leadership. Her professional experience spans both public private sectors including mining, government and export industries. Jantina is an Advanced Certified Professional with the International Personnel Management Association (IPMA) and is a Candidate for certification with the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources. In addition to her day-to-day work Jantina collaborates on two boards; she is the Director of Certification for IPMA-Canada and a Board Member for Recess Guardians.

Jake Walker

DarwinAI | Director

Jake currently works as a Senior Product Manager for DarwinAI, operationalizing artificial intelligence technology. He is passionately involved in the non-profit sector in Waterloo, Ontario. He is a partner with Social Venture Partners Waterloo Region and sits on the property committee for House of Friendship. Jake also has experience consulting for Carizon Family and Community Services, public speaking mentoring for Waterloo Region Family Network, and chairing an annual fundraising event for Bereaved Families of Ontario.

Favourite Recess Game:

TV Tag

Favourite Recess Game:

Soccer

Doug Fast, BA, CMC

Fast Consulting | Director

Doug Fast is the owner of Fast Consulting, a research and engagement management consulting practice with experience across a wide spectrum of private and public sector organizations. He has lectured on the faculty at the University of Saskatchewan, Edwards School of Business, teaching a core MBA course on Market Research and Decision Making. Doug is currently president of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Saskatchewan.

Favourite Recess Game:

Shinny

Palmer Folk, CPA, MPAcc

IG Wealth Management | Director | Chair, Finance Committee

As a finance and accounting professional, Palmer is currently a Wealth Planning Specialist with IG Wealth Management where he specializes in investment analysis, securities research, accounting and tax planning, and advisory services for high net worth clients and prospects. Palmer has valuable past experience with a CPA firm in Saskatoon where his main areas of expertise were financial statement preparation, assurance engagements, corporate and personal tax returns, and also working on special projects. Volunteering has always been a part of Palmer's personal and professional life including many years of volunteering and Board of Director experience with various organizations in and around Saskatoon.

Favourite Recess Game:

Kickball

Monique Bews

Naidu Legal | Director

Monique Bews is currently a lawyer at Naidu Legal in Saskatoon.

K-Lyn Bonogofski

Saskatchewan Teachers Federation | Director

K-Lyn Bonogofski currently works as a Human Resources Generalist with the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF), she has been with the STF for the past 2 years. K-Lyn obtained her Bachelor's of Management from the University of Lethbridge with a focus in Human Resources. Due to her current role with the STF, she became interested in joining the Recess Guardians board and HR committee, as she believes in the mission of empowering youth for a better future.

Favourite Recess Game:

Champ

Fraser Reid

Labstat International Inc. | Director

Fraser Reid is a finance professional with a background in high growth companies with multiple types of ownership structures. This background has developed a deep collective expertise across FP&A, process optimization and operational strategy.Fraser is an expert in process improvements for growth initiatives by developing analytical insights, and translating these insights into practical solutions for all members of the organization to understand. He leverages his accounting background to gain a comprehensive understanding of an organization, and deliver quality outputs with all the internal/external stakeholders top of mind.

Favourite Recess Game:

Capture the Flag