ABOUT US
IT STARTS ON THE FIELD. IT LAST A LIFETIME
CGB Scholarship Fund
This fully or partially (depending on need) funds the cost of registration for girls who would otherwise be unable to join us.
Free programing for girls in underserved communities
We understand that transportation to fields may be a barrier to participation, so we reach deeper into communities to create opportunities for girls to join us where they already are - in their schools.
Canadian Girls Baseball started with one girl who loved baseball. We changed the game for her, so she wouldn’t quit, and we've since been changing the game for girls across Canada. We're on a mission, building a movement and making space for girls in sport. But we can't do it alone.
At Canadian Girls Baseball, our belief is that ALL girls who want to play with us should be able to. We know that girls face enough barriers to joining sports - especially male-dominated sports like baseball - and we work hard everyday to break down as many barriers to participation as possible.
One of those barriers is sometimes financial in nature, and for this reason, we offer various programs to help girls across the country access our programming. To date, we’ve been able to offer programs like:
Free for Newcomers Program
This provides free league membership to Canadian newcomers, as well as access to fields that may be more accessible for their families.
Free community programming
We regularly hold open field days in communities across the country for girls to join us and try baseball!
Best day! Laura loved it. She’s so happy to learn. It’s way different then house league and honestly it’s a good different. Thank you for bringing this in for the girls ❤️
MEET THE TEAM
Dana Bookman
Founder & CEO
Deanna Ryan
Director of Operations
Kylie O'Donnell
Manager of Coach Development
Lisa Turbitt
Manager of Umpire Development
Sarah Erickson
Regional Coordinator,
Como, BC
Mackenzie Siddell
Regional Coordinator,
Windsor, BC
Bridie Hamilton
Regional Coordinator
Ottawa, Ontario
Jessica Sands
Regional Coordinator
Vancouver, BC
PLAYER ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Teja
Age 8
Leora
Age 9
Mila
Age 10
Noa Rae
Age 12
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Sophia
Age 12
Megyn
Age 13
Lauren
Age 16
ADVISORY BOARD
Ainka Jess
Ainka Jess is a senior communicator and award-winning entrepreneur. She is
passionate about empowering women and diverse communities through sport.
In 2016, she combined her communications background and a purpose to give women
a larger voice in sport, to launch She’s4Sports. The organization is a digital content and
events hub that amplifies the contributions of women, girls and diverse people in sport
and addresses the barriers to participation and representation. The over 5000
She’s4Sports community includes a diverse group of women and men sports fans and
leaders in the industry.
Ashton Sequeira
From Poverty to President, Ashton’s career has spanned over 25 years and has seen him go from living in his car as a teenager and high school-drop out to now running a $400M+ autonomous business unit with full P&L and cross functional department responsibilities.
Today, Ashton is President of Chartwells Canada and Compass Group Quebec. In this role, he oversees hospitality services at over 850 Canadian locations. Prior to this role Ashton led Canada for Centerplate, a Sports and Entertainment hospitality company. In addition to overseeing Canada and parts of the US, he also had leadership roles in major global sporting events including three Superbowls and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Bart Given
Bart is currently the Managing Director of TORQUE Strategies, and has been a senior lead on projects with Hockey Canada, Rugby Canada, Canada Basketball, and the Canadian Olympic Team.
Bart spent twelve years with the Toronto Blue Jays making the career journey from summer-intern to Senior VP Baseball Operations & Assistant General Manager.
David Rhode
David founded Pitch In For Baseball and Softball, a US-based non profit, which gives the gift of play and contributes to positive youth development by providing equipment to more than 900,000 children around the world. David studied undergraduate business at Georgetown University. He graduated with Honors with an Masters in Business Administration from The Wharton School.
David is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, instructing graduate students in Non Profit Branding and consults with both for profit and non-for-profit companies seeking to scale their operations.
Jennifer Orange
Jennifer is a lawyer, mediator, adjudicator, and human rights expert. She has deep experience in non-profit leadership, and is committed to the rights of women and girls. Most importantly, she loves baseball!
Leanne Campbell
Leanne’s passion is helping organizations realize their potential to create impactful social change. As a fundraising strategist and operational leader, Leanne has focused her career on building and implementing growth strategies within the non-profit, charitable and social impact sectors. As a triathlete, ice hockey player and former softball and basketball player, Leanne understands the value of team sports and the need to remove barriers and encourage girls to participate in sport.
Kimberly Medeiros
Kimberley is a purpose-driven leader with a background in corporate social philanthropy. Starting her career in special education and fitness, she saw an opportunity to bring her two passions together with the Canadian expansion of the BOKS (Build Our Kids' Success) program through the Reebok Canada Fitness Foundation. She successfully led the program to exceed its enrollment goals by more than 200% as well transitioning the program from a corporate not-for-profit to a registered charity. Kimberley's drive is also personal. As a wife and mother of two, she sees a world where kids are healthier and happier when they
have a chance to be active. She also believes in a world where her daughter can have the same opportunities in sport as her son, and that she can help change the
landscape of equity in sport and fitness.
