Julia Ryan serves as the President of the Ontario Weightlifting Association (OWA) since September 2025. Julia has been involved in weightlifting as an athlete since 2013, competing at the provincial and national level for almost ten of those years. She has also completed the NCCP Competition Introduction, and currently holds the NCCP Competition Development Coach-in-training. She brings a deep understanding of the sport’s infrastructure through her connection to club operations as the spouse of a club owner, providing firsthand insight into the community’s needs.

Professionally, Julia completed a doctorate and post-doctorate degree, bringing experience with navigating institutions, research, project strategy, and grant writing. This is complemented by experience as a business owner, providing skills in financial stewardship and sustainable growth. Her background in the mental health field informs her commitment to leading with empathy and ethical practice.

Julia is dedicated to guiding the OWA through its next phase of growth, ensuring the longevity of the sport while upholding the organization's mission of excellence and integrity. Her mandate focuses on strengthening development pathways, empowering athletes, coaches, and officials, and ensuring an unwavering commitment to safe and inclusive sport for all members.

Taylor serves the OWA as the VP Administration, joining in January 2026. Bringing a variety of experience in Administration, Operations, and Event & Project Management Taylor is very excited to be part of the team and to continue to nurture and grow the OWA.

Ever since her first competition in March of 2023 Taylor has been fueled by her passion and dedication to progressing as an athlete in the sport. That first competition showed her just how special Ontario Weightlifting really is, as all the competitors came together to organize, support, and cheer everyone on. Taylor looks forward to doing her part to continue that special spark during her term.

Dave is the owner and head coach of The Power Academy, and lives in Waterloo with his wife and children. He started weightlifting in 2008, while playing rugby for the University of McMaster, and has competed in many national championships. Dave has coached athletes at the national championships and masters international meets, and hopes to use his position with the OWA to grow the sport of weightlifting.

As VP Finance some of my responsibilities include bookkeeping, issuing payments, working with Accountants for audits, creating quarterly financial reports, and providing any financial reports required by Government agencies. I have been involved with weightlifting since 2004. I have competed at Ontario Championships, Canadian Masters and Pan Am Masters competitions. I continue to be an active Masters Weightlifter. I am a father and husband, and live in Barrie with my wife Jenn. In my day job I work as a Network Engineer in the telecom industry. My Christian Faith is a very important part of my identity. Other interests include business, economics, health-fitness and playing guitar.

Linda Rosario-Earnshaw joined the OWA in 2013 and began her journey in weightlifting later in life, competing as a Masters athlete in her forties. Her path to becoming a technical official started when she accompanied her teenage daughter to weightlifting competitions, leading to a suggestion that she officiate, given her travels from city to city. This marked the beginning of her commitment to volunteerism. Between 2015 and 2020, Linda served as a team leader for both the Ontario Sr. and Jr. teams. The 2020 Pandemic Lockdown did not hinder her role as a technical official; she continued her involvement by participating in online competitions worldwide.

Although Linda has ceased her training as a lifter, she continues to be involved with the OWA as a technical official. In 2021, she presented her candidacy for the position of VP Technical and has been committed to nurturing and aiding both novice and experienced officials in Ontario, consistently motivating others to become involved and relish the responsibilities of an official.

Linda is committed to her mission of recruiting new officials and advocating for advanced training to enhance their skills. Her aim is to act as a role model, inspiring a passion in others to uphold and enhance the standard of officiating throughout Ontario.

Amanda has been an OWA member since 2011, discovering weightlifting while a student at the University of Toronto. Residing in Mississauga, she is an active competitor at the national and international level, as well as a coach and Technical Official. Amanda is excited to contribute to the OWA behind the scenes as Membership Administrator.

Emily is a weightlifting competitor and coach at Academy of Lions, with a professional background in marketing. Through starting CrossFit in 2017, she discovered weightlifting and has since fallen in love with the sport both as an athlete and a coach. Emily is passionate about contributing to the growth and visibility of weightlifting across Ontario as a Social Media Administrator.

I’m Noah Santavy, I’m a 4th generation OWA member, WCH athlete’s council member, I’ve been a national team athlete for several years, two time canadian national champion, many time provincial senior and junior champion. I’ve also represented Canada at many Panam and world championships, as well as the 2023 Panamerican Games and I have 20 years of weightlifting experience.

I love this sport and I will do my best to help better the OWA in any way that I can.

Jessica began Olympic weightlifting in 2020 with the Apollo Barbell Club. As a junior athlete, she has competed at both the provincial and national levels and is now beginning her journey as a senior athlete.

Professionally, Jessica has completed her Business diploma and is currently pursuing a diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications - Creative Design. She started volunteering with the OWA as a way to build her professional experience while contributing to a sport and community she is passionate about.

Nichole has been Olympic weightlifting for 6 years. She has competed at the masters level internationally and has recently started her journey into coaching and becoming a technical official at the national level. Her love for weightlifting came from a background of rugby and crossfit.
She is also the founder and owner of Integrity Barbell Collective. A safe space community for individuals who are interested in participating and competing in the sport of weightlifting.

Nichole currently works as an RMT in London, ON where she has been practicing for almost 20 years. Her experience ranges from professional sports teams, Olympic athletics and clinical treatment.

Nichole looks forward to growing within the OWA as she would like to take on more responsibilities in the future as opportunities arise to keep the organization being the best it can be for athletes, coaches and the community.

Mohamed has been a member of the OWA since 2015 and has competed at the provincial and national level. Since then, Mohamed has gone on to coach weightlifting at multiple gyms in the Ottawa area and is one of the head coaches of CanAm Barbell Club.

Mohamed is passionate about development of athletes and is dedicated to growing the sport of weightlifting throughout Ontario.

Logan Baker is a dedicated coach and educator with an extensive background in youth and junior athlete development. With over a decade of experience as the Head Coach of Youth and Junior Development at the Athletic Performance Centre in North Bay, Ontario, Logan has spearheaded programming and provided expert instruction for athletes aged 9 to 18 in a wide range of sports, from ice hockey and American football to soccer, snowboarding, figure skating, and more.

Logan's academic journey reflects his passion for strength and conditioning. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) in Strength and Conditioning from the Limerick Institute of Technology, where he actively participated as a coach in the Olympic Weightlifting Club. Additionally, his diploma in Strength and Sports Conditioning from Canadore College, coupled with an exchange program at Limerick Institute of Technology, has equipped him with a well-rounded understanding of athletic training and development.

Jess has been involved in the fitness industry since 2013 when she graduated from Fleming College with a diploma in Fitness and Health Promotion. After working in conventional gyms for a number of years, she started CrossFit in 2014 and shifted towards weightlifting in October 2019. She competed for the first time in December 2019 and has continued to do so ever since.

Jess is also a Technical Official and Comp Intro Coach. She has coached and personal trained a wide range of individuals ranging in age from 12 to 86. She likes to work hard and is dedicated to sharing her love for lifting and fitness with everyone.