Career Café, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education’s annual student-alumni networking event, took over Hart House in February. The event, now in its eleventh year, engages both undergraduate and graduate students in a night of career exploration.
A group of 15 KPE alumni with diverse occupations shared their stories of overcoming adversity and finding their true calling. After the presentations, students had a chance to ask alumni questions about possible career pursuits after graduation. Students were also treated to some words of wisdom from representatives from U of T’s affinity partner and event sponsor, TD Insurance.
The alumni mentors volunteer their time to participate in the event as a way of giving back to the Faculty, which was the catalyst for igniting their exciting careers. Many mentors noted the importance of exploring the many options available to students after graduation and the wide array of careers that a kinesiology degree from the Faculty makes possible.
With thanks to the alumni who took time out of their busy schedules to connect with KPE students at Career Café, we hope you will enjoy reading their biographies below.
Derrick An BPHE 2010
Managing Partner, DESALU Creative
Derrick took the leap into entrepreneurship because he wanted to take control of his professional career. Coming from the charity and public sectors, Derrick is deeply opinionated in public policy, health management and foreign aid. He helps businesses navigate the complexity of completing visual design projects with a creative team.
David Avendano-Gutte BKin 2014, A-EMCA, CVRP
Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, Canadian Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation Service-March of Dimes Canada
After KPE, David entered the professional world as a primary care paramedic providing emergency medical care with paramedic services in the GTA and Waterloo region. Since 2019, David has been working as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist. In this capacity, David works to assess, plan and support the rehabilitation journey, retrain and return civilian employment of Canadian veterans.
Katja Bergin BKin 2013, MSc PT, MCPA
Physiotherapist/Pelvic Health Physiotherapist at Foundation Physiotherapy
During her time at U of T, Katja competed with the Varsity Blues track and field team. After graduation, she completed her master’s in physiotherapy at Oxford Brookes University in England. She has since returned to Canada and is currently working at a clinic in downtown Toronto.
Daniel Correia BPHE 2007, CIM®, FCSI®
Investment Advisor, TD Wealth Private Investment Advice
Daniel manages an extensive portfolio of investments for Private Wealth clients by providing investment counselling, Advanced Wealth Planning, and by integrating his team of legal and tax professionals for the purposes of estate planning and tax review. His comprehensive approach helps guide clients through complex financial situations on an ongoing basis. Daniel is a chartered investment manager and holds a fellowship with the Canadian Securities Institute. In 2019, Daniel received and Arbor Award in recognition of his volunteer work with the university.
Anthony DeGiorgio BKin 2001, BEd 2012 OISE
Physical and Health Education & Sports, Exercise and Health Science Teacher, Upper Canada College
MPK, CSCS and CrossFit L1 & Kids Trainer
After a few years spent teaching in the international school circuit, Anthony returned home to go to graduate school, with the hopes of using the experience as a stepping stone to a position in PHE curriculum policy and design at both the provincial and international level. Anthony works at Upper Canada College in developing the PHE curriculum framework from kindergarten through grade 10.
Danielle Emmons BPHE 2014
Project Coordinator, Domestic Development at Canada Basketball
After leaving U of T, Danielle began working for the Coaches Association of Ontario, working on NCCP delivery and developing a unique female coach mentorship program for coaches across Ontario. Currently working in Canada Basketball’s Domestic Development department, Danielle is responsible for managing coaching education across the country and developing a Safe Sport strategy for the organization.
Contessa Giontsis BKin 2016, MSc BMC
Marketer and Communications Associate at Profound Medical Inc.
After completing her BKin degree, Contessa discovered the Master’s of Science in Biomedical Communications, a program where she can combine her love for both science and art. She is now a graduate of the program and works at a medical device company where she is responsible for creating promotional and educational materials that market innovative cancer ablation therapies.
Joe Grdisa BPHE 1991, BEdB.Ed., OCT
Instructional Coordinator Health & Physical Education and Extracurricular Athletics, Peel District School Board
After completing his B.Ed. in Windsor, Joe started his career at a small private school, spending the next 26 years with Peel District School Board. For the first 22 years as a teacher, Joe focused on health and physical education, recently moving to a board consultant role overseeing health and physical education, athletics and outdoor education for grades K-12. Joe has also been a Course Instructor with York University for the last 17 years.
Karoline Kaminski BPHE 2007, MSc, DOMP
Osteopath Manual Practitioner, Align Osteopathy
Karoline is an osteopathic manual practitioner whose treatments are directed towards helping the body regain its individual and optimal ability to function as a whole. Karoline utilizes her knowledge of manual therapy, movement based therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to guide the body back to health. She has brought many to reach their personal health and rehabilitative goals. Karoline currently runs her own clinic in Caledon East, Align Osteopathy.
Ron Kowalik BPHE 1990, ACP
Superintendent, Toronto Paramedic Services
After graduation, Ron wanted to get involved in health care and researched how to help others, finding the career of paramedicine. Ron is now an educator, teaching over 1,300 paramedics in Toronto in their continuing education programs, as well as training future paramedics in the Toronto Paramedic program college course, of which he is the program lead.
Mark Kraczynski BPHE 1984, B.Ed.
Mark Kraczynski is a recently retired elementary principal from the Toronto District School Board, also acting as an Interim Principal and Vice-Principal for the TDSB. He has 34 years of experience working at various levels of public education. In addition to being an educator, Mark spent over 30 years coaching tennis and volleyball at the recreational, provincial and national level. He has also managed tennis clubs and junior tennis programs and ran a successful tennis business (K-Tennis).
Karen LeMoine BPHE 2002, MSc 2004
Director of Community Engagement and Stakeholder Relations, Sheridan College
Karen is trusted and passionate community leader in the Peel Region, who has enjoyed a diverse and progressive career in the public sector over the past 16 years, since starting her career journey as a public health promoter. She has taken her foundational skills and applied them across many important health and social issues in the community. Constantly innovating, connecting and learning, Karen will always be a health promoter at heart who strives to improve the broader systems and environments that support healthy, sustainable and prosperous communities.
Dr. Catherine F. Notarius BPHE 1979, MSc, PhD
Scientific Associate III; University Health Network and Mount Sinai Hospital and Toronto General Research Institute
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education; Lecturer, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto.
As part of the Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory of Dr. John Floras, Dr. Notarius was the first to describe a link between the extent of sympathetic neural activation at rest and exercise and peak exercise capacity in heart failure patients. Her research interests focus on this altered reflex control and the impact on vascular function and exercise tolerance in both heart failure and healthy aging populations. This research will help to develop effective exercise training methods targeting specific reflex impairments.
Daniel Rinaldi BKin 2019
Personal Training Specialist at GoodLife Fitness – Oakville Trafalgar Plaza
As a personal trainer at GoodLife Fitness, Daniel’s role is to educate others on the importance of safely introducing or advancing the exercise habits of individuals regardless of experience, age or ability. His focus is to promote a “ground-up” approach when it comes to physical activity to ensure the needs of the individual are met to effectively generate a program for any given goal.
Dr. Tanya Scarapicchia PhD 2016
Analyst, Shift Health
Dr. Tanya Scarapicchia is responsible for performing primary and secondary research, synthesizing key insights and effectively communicating findings to project teams and clients. During her tenure at Shift Health, Tanya has worked across industry, academia and government sectors with experience in developing strategic plans, conducting opportunity evaluations and policy strategies for a top-10 pharmaceutical company.