Gail Kendall has over 20 years of experience managing fitness, recreation, and sport programs. She currently works as a Senior Development Manager at the University of Guelph, where she is responsible for fundraising and donor relations for the Athletics department. Previously, she held management roles at the Bathurst Jewish Community Centre, St. Francis Xavier University, and the Pictou County YMCA/YWCA, where she developed programs, managed budgets and staff, and increased revenue and membership. Kendall has a Master's degree in Sport Psychology and certifications in personal training. She was a member of the Canadian national basketball team and has received several honors for her athletic and professional achievements.

1. Gail Janice Kendall
89Porter Court,
Guelph, Ontario, N1L 1L8
Phone: 519-836-6984
Email: gtkendall@rogers.com
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CAREER PROFILE
An energetic, team oriented leader with more than twenty years of management experience in the areas of
fitness, recreation and sport. An innovative leader known for a creative ability to produce new program
initiatives. An effective manager with a proven record in organizational and planning skills. A competent
and empathetic communicator with positive experiences in human resource management. A goal oriented
individual with a proven record of achievement.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Guelph
Senior Development Manager - Athletics 2007 – to present
Responsible for all aspects of the Athletics major gift program Responsibilities include identification, cultivation,
solicitation and stewardship of donors and potential donors, as well as preparation of the case for support, project
descriptions, proposals, briefing materials and gift agreements. Manages all meetings and communications with
college prospects, including those with senior university officials such as the President, Vice-Presidents, Associate
Vice-Presidents or the Director, and responsible for all follow up, including securing the major gift. Also responsible
for the management of volunteers to support area fundraising initiatives, including recruitment, training, support and
recognition.
• Significantly increased advancement activity for the Department of Athletics.
• Provided successful re-engagement events for athletics alumni which led to major gift fundraising
results.
• Responsible for increased major gift activity and results from 2007-present.
• Created the development of historical documents on coaches at the University of Guelph which have
been used successfully to assist in our advancement program.
• Developed fundraising projects for athletics for 29 varsity teams. $1,800,000 raised to date.
• Have developed over 20 new named scholarships since 2007 ranging in annual disbursements of 1,000 –
3,500 per year.
• Created an annual event called “Hockey Day in Gryphonville” – to re-engage alumni and create
fundraising opportunities. The 2008 and 2009 events each raised 100,000 endowments for two new
hockey scholarships. The 2008 event was also recognized by the C.C.A.E with a Prix D’Excellence
silver medal in the category of best alumni event. This is a nationally recognized organization.
• Assisted with the development of a campaign catalogue of approved advancement priorities
• Create awareness of bequests and planned giving vehicles for the Department of Athletics
• Built and enhanced specific stewardship plans for each major gift donor. Ensured donors needs and
expectations were met.
• Created stewardship activity including: thank you campaign, reunion events, university wide donor
recognition events etc.
• Developed extensive internal and external engagement opportunities: reunions, advisory boards,
committee management.
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2. • Exceeded all advancement activity goals set; including call activity, major gift contacts, stewardship
contacts, volunteer contacts, new prospect identification.
• Assisted in the development of collateral materials for funding proposals, case documents, planned
giving brochure, and other communications (print and electronic)
Bathurst Jewish Community Centre
Director of Fitness and Recreation 2005- 2007
Responsible for the management and operation of the Department of Fitness and Recreation. Ensure the
effective and efficient delivery of all fitness and recreation programs, budget development and management,
membership recruitment and retention, program planning and development, human resource leadership, and
community outreach.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of a $2,000,000 budget.
• Increased the number and variety of program options to satisfy all client groups.
• Significantly improved staff morale, motivation, cooperation and a more positive team culture.
• Created staff job descriptions and performance review tools.
• Developed orientation and member care services, specifically for new members.
• Developed member retention strategies for current members.
• Developed and implemented new strategies to combat a historical trend of membership decline.
• Restructured the membership services department to reflect a marketing and sales focus.
• Developed statistical tools to monitor sales, memberships, and targeted budget outcomes.
• Developed and improved the personal training program – including program packaging and delivery.
• Developed a more client friendly environment.
• Presently reviewing membership information systems for implementation next year.
St. Francis Xavier University
Fitness and Recreation Program Coordinator 2002- 2004
Responsible for the management, development and implementation of fitness and recreation programs.
Work with university and community groups to ensure that programming is meeting the needs of current
and future members. Manage the daily operation of fitness, aquatics and aerobic / dance facilities.
Develop, monitor and manage a $600,000 budget. Identify, hire, train and supervise 24 full and part time
staff for all program areas.
•Developed the business plan and management infrastructure for a new fitness facility which opened in
March 2002.
•Developed and implemented the operating budget for Fitness and Recreation programs
•Exceeded revenue projections in the first year of operation – generated revenue of $590,000.
•Created a surplus of revenue over expenditures totaling $218,000.
•Created and implemented numerous new Fitness and Recreation programs for students, staff, high
performance athletes and the community.
•Developed a personal training program and fitness assessment program for the facility.
•Instructor, Department of Human Kinetics – Introductory Fitness
•Created new fitness programs for specific target groups including, Women on Weights and Youth Strength
and Conditioning.
•Worked with varsity athletic teams and community athletes in the area of performance enhancement.
•Developed a group fitness programs for all client groups
•Significantly increased aquatic programming for the Alumni Aquatic Pool. This included aquacise,
national lifesaving programs, Red Cross programs, member programs and rentals
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3. •Created statistical data to represent facility use on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. This enabled
members to select their workout time based on traffic flow.
•Developed maintenance plan and replacement schedule for all fitness equipment.
•Planned, organized and implemented an open house for the Fitness and Recreation Association each year.
•Developed staff training programs for Wellness Center staff.
•Arranged for professional development opportunities for Wellness Centre staff and personal trainers.
•Provided and conducted customer service workshops for client service reception staff.
•Created all marketing and promotional materials for the Fitness and Recreation Association.
•Developed membership campaign to secure fitness memberships for the Antigonish community and
university faculty and staff.
•Developed Fall, Winter and Spring program guides for the Fitness and Recreation Association.
•Member of the Keating Millennium Centre management team responsible for the operation of a
$20,000,000 multi purpose facility.
Pictou County YMCA / YWCA
Director of Health, Fitness and Recreation 2000-2002
Manage and develop youth and adult programs, health, fitness and lifestyle programs, aquatics programs
and child care. Identify, hire and supervise full and part time staff for all program areas. Develop, monitor
and manage budgets for the Health, Fitness and Recreation departments.
•Introduced a team management concept and developed a job appraisal system. This increased staff
motivation, accountability and morale.
•Organized a staff training workshop for the complete “Y” staff in cooperation with the Canada East
professional staff.
•Increased program options for members in the Health and Fitness area. This included a more
comprehensive group fitness program, personal lifestyle program development and youth and adult
programs.
•Developed and instructed in the group fitness program.
California University of Pennsylvania
Assistant Basketball Coach / Research Assistant 1995-2000
Developed performance enhancement programs including conditioning, nutrition and mental preparation.
Conduct skill sessions, developed budgets, schedule competition, develop summer camp programs and
assist in fundraising for the Women’s Basketball Program.
•Assisted in the skill and personal development of female athletes at the NCAA intercollegiate level.
•Assisted in the development of conditioning programs for intercollegiate athletes.
•Developed a noon hour fitness program for university staff.
•Member of the university Gender Equity Committee.
•Member of the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Committee.
•Member of the Academic Compliance Committee.
Basketball Manitoba
Executive Director 1985-1995
Chief executive officer responsible for the operation of a provincial sport governing body. Identify, hire
and monitor full and part time staff. Coordinate budget initiatives, program planning, fundraising and grant
development.
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4. •Created and implemented age group basketball development program. Involved over 150 teams of various
age groups.
•Implemented and expanded the NCCP coaching certification program for basketball within the province.
•Managed a $360,000 budget. Successfully maintained a balanced budget for a 10 year period.
•Developed a summer skill development program. This was a series of clinics held throughout Manitoba.
•Introduced new and innovative programming; including 3 on 3 street ball and the sport caravan program.
•Managed Provincial age level teams. All administrative functions were handled through our office.
•Developed and implemented a successful fundraising program to ensure financial security for the
organization.
•Assisted with the re-birth of the Basketball Manitoba Hall of Fame.
•Successfully acquired provincial and federal grants to assist in programming for the association.
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach – University of Winnipeg, 1979-1995
Health Coordinator – City of Winnipeg Parks and Recreation, 1980-1985
OTHER EXPERIENCE
•Chair of Pictou County YMCA/YWCA Global Peace Forum, 2001. This was a joint initiative with the
YMCA of Greater New York following the September 11th tragedy.
•Instrumental in acquiring the hosting rights for the 2002 Atlantic Action Fitness Conference.
•Co-chair of the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion fundraising event held in Antigonish, 2004
•Committee Member for the Manitoba Milk Super Seminar for Coaches ,1986-1995
•Western Canada Games, Sport Psychology consultant , 1990
•Sport Psychology consultant for the Canadian Skeet Shooting and Trap Shooting Associations.
•Developed mental preparation programs for the Manitoba Skeet Shooting Association.
•Presented sport psychology sessions for the 1993 Canada Games Softball Team, Manitoba Tennis Team,
Manitoba Synchronized Swimming Team, and Athletics Manitoba.
•Prepared mental preparation, team building and goal setting programs for the Manitoba Provincial
Synchronise Swimming team over a three year period.
•Implemented psychological testing and analysis for the Manitoba Football Association, the University of
Winnipeg Women’s Basketball Team, Synchro Manitoba, the California University Football Team, the
California University Women’s Basketball team.
•Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach, St. Francis Xavier University, 2000 to 2004.
•Member of Basketball Manitoba Hall of Fame Committee, 1985 - 1995.
•Worked with members of the Canadian Basketball Association on the development of psychological skills
and stress management.
EDUCATION HISTORY
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Masters, Physical Education in Sport Psychology, 1988
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba
B.A., Physical Education, 1977
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5. Can Fit Pro, Truro, Nova Scotia
Resist-a-ball training certification, 2002 to present
Can Fit Pro, Truro Nova Scotia
Personal Trainer Specialist, 2001 to present
Can Fit Pro, Toronto Ontario
Program Director Specialist, 2001 to present
Can Fit Pro, Moncton New Brunswick
Group Fitness Specialist, 2001 to present
YMCA Canada, Halifax Nova Scotia
Fitness Instructor Trainer, 2001
ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE
•Women's Basketball Team Member - Canadian National Team, 1975 - 1980
•Women’s Basketball Team Captain - University of Manitoba, 1974 - 1977
•Women's Basketball Team Captain - University of Winnipeg, 1977 - 1979
HONORS AND AWARDS
•2003. Inducted into the Basketball Manitoba Hall of Fame as a member of the Canadian Senior Women’s
Basketball Champions (1986).
•2000. Wesmen Women’s Basketball Team named the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame Team of the
Century.
•2000. Finalist for the Manitoba Jewish Athlete of the Century.
•1995. Inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame as an assistant coach with The University of
Winnipeg Wesmen Basketball Program.
•1995. The University of Winnipeg Women's Basketball Team chosen as the Canadian Sports Council
Amateur Team of the Year.
•1995. The University of Winnipeg Women's Basketball Team awarded the Atlanta award for success in
women's sport. This award is presented by Athletic Management Magazine and considers all teams in
North America.
•1994 / 1995. Manitoba Sports Writers and Sportscasters Team of the Year.
•1994. Inducted into the Basketball Manitoba Hall of Fame as an athlete.
•1994. Awarded the Order of the Buffalo Hunt as a member of the University of Winnipeg Basketball
Program. This is the highest award presented by the Province of Manitoba for community or outstanding
achievement.
•1993 / 1994. Province of Manitoba Order of Sports Excellence Award - for achieving a North American
record for the most consecutive wins by a basketball team.
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6. •1993 / 1994 / 1995. Three consecutive Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union National Championships as
a coach with the University of Winnipeg Women's Basketball Program.
•1993. Inducted into the Grant Park High School Hall of Fame as an athlete.
•1986. Finalist for the Manitoba Jewish Athlete of the Year.
•1985. Member of the Manitoba Senior Women's Team that won the Canadian Senior Women’s National
Championship. Selected as tournament all star.
•1979. Selected as Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union All Canadian for excellence in basketball.
•1978. Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Union National Championship all star.
•1978. Finalist for Manitoba Athlete of the Year.
•1977. Finalist for the Manitoba Female Junior Athlete of the Year.
•1976. Female Athlete of the Year at the University of Manitoba.
•1975 - 1979. Five consecutive Conference first team all-star selections for basketball, within the Great
Plains Athletic Conference.
PUBLICATIONS
"Psychological Skill Development." Science Periodical on Research and Technology in Sport., 1984
"The Effects of an imagery, relaxation, and self talk package on Basketball Game Performance." Journal of
Sport Psychology., 1990
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