Our Staff

Martin Sampson is CEO at the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA). He is a dynamic and passionate leader who has been engaging in Canada’s national conversation for twenty years. Passionate about fully realizing the role parks and recreation play in building healthy and vibrant communities, Martin is proud to lead a team that represents the interests of the dynamic parks and recreation sector to Canada’s federal government. Ottawa is Martin’s home where he has been working in public affairs for two decades. To learn more about Martin, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-sampson-pathways-to-wellbeing/

Colleen Decker is a Senior Program Manager at the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA).

Colleen is a hardworking and dedicated professional with more than two decades of experience in administration. She spent twelve years working in advocacy with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), gaining valuable experience in governance, finance, and communications.

Colleen understands the important role parks and recreation plays in building healthy and vibrant communities. As a mother of three children, she has witnessed the impact of sports and recreation on youth and families firsthand, as her children engaged in swimming and skating lessons and were part of soccer, lacrosse, and hockey teams at every level.

In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. She is an avid supporter of both wildlife and the Montreal Canadiens.

Colleen lives outside Toronto with her husband and children.

Sarah Wayne is a finance and accounting expert with 30 years of experience across a variety of sectors, most notably technology and not-for-profit.

Sarah has operated her own consulting business for the past 23 years, partnering with Canadian Parks and Recreation Association in 2010. Sarah has a built a strong track record of streamlining internal processes, strengthening internal controls, and identifying information and reporting improvements. She is strongly committed to working collaboratively to meet organizational goals. In her free time, Sarah can often be found painting in her home studio or enjoying the nearby Ottawa River.

Sarah has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Western Ontario.

Diane English, M.A., is a consultant with more than 30 years’ experience in media, arts, government relations, and municipal and non-profit parks and recreation. She brings a wealth of knowledge of legislation and operational policies for parks and recreation including childcare, municipal planning, and accessibility and inclusion as well as extensive experience in strategic planning, public consultation, communications and project management.

Prior to re-establishing her own management consulting company, Diane English led the government relations and policy work for Parks and Recreation Ontario, a provincial association for the sector. Working with municipalities of all sizes, Diane gained a deep understanding of the importance and benefits of recreation, parks and culture for healthy and vibrant communities. Diane also enjoys a part-time work as a professional singer and a certified fitness instructor.