Meet the Candidates – 2024 Taekwondo Canada Board of Directors Biographies
Posted on
president – simon chung
Dear Taekwondo Canada Nominations Committee,
Please accept this as notice that I consent to be a nominee for a Board position, specifically the position of President of Taekwondo Canada. With a background in policy development, governance, and strategic thinking, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of Taekwondo in Canada. Attached is my resume and a full and complete listing of all potential conflicts of interest.
My passion for supporting Taekwondo Canada’s mission aligns with my dedication to working collaboratively with staff, committees, members, and stakeholders. In my previous roles, as a coach, mentor and administrative leader, I have demonstrated the ability to represent diverse membership populations effectively, and, as a team player, I have contributed to the strategic goals of not-for-profit organizations.
My specific attributes in communications, leadership, and funds development have been instrumental in driving organizational success. The Alberta Taekwondo Association in 2017 was in a considerable deficit. I lead the ATA initiatives which ensured our organization was financially stable. At this point in time the ATA is in an excellent position to provide support for Taekwondo participants in this province. I have demonstrated a strong foundation in human resources management by way of recruiting professional expertise in our volunteer teams at International, National and Provincial levels. I bring a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory and operational aspects necessary for effective governance. Our organization must be excellent at meeting Sport Canada and Canadian Olympic standards in terms of safe sport, true sport and coaching certification standards.
I am deeply committed to the development of Taekwondo in Canada. We have just witnessed the success of two of our athletes at the Olympic Games; one participant with a bronze medal is a huge positive for her, her family and for our National organization. It is crucial that we now pivot to improving support of more of our potential athletes and coaches so that we might have a full team in 2028. We have much more work to do to improve the depth of our competitive athlete pool in both Kyorugi and Poomsae.
My capacity for dedication and ethical leadership will be valuable assets to the organization. I am eager to bring my unique blend of skills and experience to Taekwondo Canada and support its mission to promote the sport and its values.
Sincerely,
Grandmaster Su Hwan Chung
president – kee ha
Dear Members of Provincial, Territorial, and National Taekwondo Canada Partners,
During the 2020 election, I committed to work with stakeholders to bring about positive change in Taekwondo Canada. The change I offered was founded on trust and respect for all members and our esteemed partners, including Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committees, and WT and Kukkiwon, and especially our own members. I want to express appreciation to the Board of Directors, the office staff, and all those who have been instrumental in reigniting the values and reputation of Taekwondo Canada, both within our country and on the international stage.
My long-held vision has been and is to establish Taekwondo Canada as a globally respected National Sports Organization renowned for its excellence in governance and as a trustworthy partner that advocates for Taekwondo in Canada and internationally. In spite of multiple challenges, with leadership and teamwork, over the past four years the Taekwondo Canada community has moved toward concrete results that have made that vison more real. I want to be able to serve as a catalyst to continue the required work. therefore, I am reaching out once again, seeking your support for another term as President in this 2024 election.
With your support, I intend to continue to work to create a nurturing community characterized by excellence, integrity, and inclusivity. I will continue to strive to inspire and cultivate excellence in the martial arts and sport of Taekwondo while promoting the health, community, and accessible pathways for all participants to achieve their personal best nationally and to experience international success at the high-performance level through practical development programs. I am committed to fostering a robust relationship between Taekwondo Canada and provincial, territorial, and local Do Jangs to cultivate a more cohesive and supportive Taekwondo community across Canada.
I will continue to work with our members and partners to prioritize grassroots development and community engagement. There will be focus on the development of coaches and supportive programs for instructors, along with the implementation of talent identification and competitive pathways programs and extension of high-performance support and athlete development.
To provide the required support to accomplish our aspirations, good governance, excellent communication and deep commitment to deliver the services our membership across Canada requires to thrive are essential. To provide these required services and to be future ready, I will work with our team to enhance infrastructure and digital platforms for educational and certification purposes and to provide accessible technical and educational resources.
As always, I remain steadfast in my commitment to focus on integrity, dedication and service to our members, our community and our partners. If re-elected, I commit to using my time, energy, skills and experiences as a builder to continue to work with others to achieve the high aspirations and ideals our members and partners deserve.
It will be my great honour to have your support in the 2024 election for President.
With good wishes to all,
Grandmaster Kee Ha
9th Dan
secretary – anthony petrone
Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
I am writing to express my interest in the position of Secretary on the Board of Taekwondo Canada. With over 24 years of passionate involvement in Taekwondo, starting at the age of six, I have developed a deep connection with the sport. My engagement with the Taekwondo community has always been on a volunteer basis, which has strengthened my sense of responsibility and commitment to giving back. I am confident that my extensive professional experience and personal dedication make me an ideal candidate for this role.
Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a commitment to excellence, organization, and teamwork, attributes that align closely with the responsibilities of a board member. In my professional life, I have held leadership roles where I developed strong skills in development, risk management, and strategic thinking—qualities that would serve the Taekwondo Canada board well. My current position as Executive Director and partner at Kenova has afforded me the opportunity to manage operations, develop new business strategies, and recruit top talent across various sectors, which has further sharpened my leadership and communication abilities.
As someone deeply invested in the values of martial arts, I bring not only business acumen and legal expertise but also a commitment to ethical, values-based behavior, which I believe is crucial for serving on a not-for-profit board. My professional background in marketing and communications will enable me to contribute effectively to Taekwondo Canada’s outreach and engagement strategies, while my experience in accounting and finance will allow me to support fiscal responsibilities with the utmost precision and accountability.
Furthermore, having founded Twins Taekwondo since 2009, I am well-versed in the operational and instructional aspects of martial arts organizations. This hands-on experience complements my strategic oversight skills and demonstrates my deep-rooted commitment to the Taekwondo community.
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to combine my professional expertise with my personal passion for Taekwondo in a role that supports the growth and development of the sport at the national level. I would be honored to contribute to Taekwondo Canada’s mission and am eager to bring my knowledge, leadership, and dedication to your board.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to the continued success of Taekwondo Canada.
Sincerely,
Anthony Petrone
director at large – catherine brewster
Dear Nominations Committee,
I am writing to formally express my interest in the Director at Large position that was recently posted.
Over the past 18 months, I have had the privilege of serving on the Board and have gained valuable insights that have further strengthened my commitment to contributing to the growth and success of Taekwondo Canada. As you will see from my resume, I have over twenty years of leadership experience in fast-paced challenging business environments and have also led several strategic change and transformation initiatives during my career to date.
Although not directly involved in practicing Taekwondo, I have developed a strong passion for the sport through my three daughters who are all high-performance Taekwondo athletes. I also understand the importance that National Sports Organizations have in the development of athletes through my own experience with Volleyball England, when I had the opportunity to play for the England Junior Women’s team and represent Great Britain at the first European Youth Olympics in 1991.
Over the last few years, I have volunteered in different capacities for local clubs assisting with after-school programs, local tournaments and participated in the Marketing and Sponsorship working group researching sponsorship strategies for Taekwondo Canada.
In summary, I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving on the Board and believe that I bring a fresh perspective and unique skill set that will greatly benefit the organization.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.
Yours Sincerely,
Catherine Brewster
