Strengthening Our Future: Announcing the Newly Elected CSCA Board

Michael is a high-performance sport practitioner, educator, and leader with a breadth of experience and knowledge in strength and conditioning, athlete development, and sport science integration. Currently pursuing a PhD in Strength and Conditioning at St. Mary’s University Twickenham, his research focuses on biomechanics and skating performance in elite ice hockey athletes. With over 3 years experience in volunteering with the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association, Michael is now looking forward to stepping up in this role and evolving his scope.

Currently working in private practice through his company, Silvestri Sports Performance, with youth and elite level athletes in terms of optimizing sport performance, return to play from injury, and long-term athlete development. He is also the Fitness Manager at The Badminton and Racquet Club of Toronto in which he oversees programming, staff development, facility strategy and programming implementation for a diverse clientele base.

Michael’s work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based programming, and inclusive athlete support systems. With a strong foundation in research, applied sport science, and leadership, he is looking to bring his unique skillset to the Canadian Strength and Conditioning Association and working to drive this professional forward.

Shauna has over 20 years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, with a background spanning both the private sector and the NCAA university system. She currently serves as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at King’s-Edgehill School in Windsor, Nova Scotia.

Shauna has previously held volunteer leadership roles with both the NSCA, as a Provincial Director, and the CSCA, where she served two terms on the Board of Directors. She remains actively involved with the CSCA as a member of the Membership Committee and a contributor to the development of the CSCP accreditation. Additionally, she continues to serve as the CSCA Regional Liaison for the Atlantic region, overseeing and organizing the annual Atlantic Regional Conference

Abby is a dedicated strength and conditioning professional with over 15 years of worldwide experience. She holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from the University of Regina, a Master of Science in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Edinburgh and is currently pursuing a Doctorate degree at the University of Regina with a focus in biomechanics. Abby has worked with athletes at all levels, from grassroots youth programs to elite national teams, and in diverse environments including universities, professional sports organizations, and the private sector.

Her extensive experience includes developing and implementing comprehensive strength and conditioning programs tailored to wide-ranging circumstances, implementing athlete monitoring systems, and contributing to multidisciplinary rehabilitation pathways for athletes returning to sport. In addition to her coaching roles, Abby has taught undergraduate courses in areas such as biomechanics, motor learning, and training and conditioning. She has a strong commitment to collaboration and evidence-based practice and is driven by her passion for athlete development and exchanging knowledge with her students and fellow practitioners to support continuous growth and learning.

Jon graduated from the University of Regina in 2004 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology in Human Kinetics. In 2020, he completed an MSc focusing on systolic timing intervals pre and post exercise training in individuals with heart failure and in 2024 he began a PhD with the plans on studying ACL tear risk factors using force plates and the countermovement jump.

He has had the opportunity to spend his career at the University of Regina in many different roles; from Exercise Therapist, to teaching assistant, lab instructor, sessional instructor, and more recently where he filled the role as the Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning and Clinical Instructor. During that time, he has taught numerous classes and labs, worked in cardiac rehab and therapy departments and been the head strength and conditioning coach for numerous Varsity sports teams.

As the Coordinator of Strength and Conditioning he has been involved in a few major projects such as assisting in the development of an athlete monitoring process, developing the strength and conditioning program for the Saskatchewan Police College and creating a functional assessment for the Regina Fire and Protective Services.

Derrick Jeyakumaran is a strength and conditioning coach that has worked in the collegiate setting and private sector in Ontario, Vancouver, and now in Nova Scotia as the Assistant Sports Performance Coach at St. Francis Xavier University. I have worked with a variety of youth, collegiate and professional athletes in a variety of sports. Derrick holds a Master’s degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a concentration in Human Performance and a specialization in Strength and Conditioning Science from the University of Florida.

Stephen McMullan is a strength and conditioning coach with over 12 years of international experience across Olympic, Paralympic, and professional sport. A former Head of Strength and Conditioning with Cycling Canada and Olympic level National Team cycling coach, he now leads athlete and cycling development through his business, Athletes Xcel. Stephen is passionate about advancing opportunities for Canadian S&C coaches to learn, develop, and thrive within a strong professional community.

Catherine has worked in the fitness industry since 2003; currently working independently in the private sector. She is a practicing Kinesiologist, as well as being double certified with the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a CSCS*D, and a NSCA-CPT*D. She has a Master of Science degree in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Edinburgh, and a Bachelor of Human Kinetics from UBC. Additionally, Catherine has served on three NSCA committees including as Regional Coordinator for 7 years; serving as chair the SPD committee. She played a key role in developing and launching the women’s mentorship program. In 2025 she received recognition for Outstanding Leadership & Service from the NSCA. Presently, she is serving on the NSCA Conference committee.