We are pleased to introduce sports and event management specialist and course facilitator, Sharifa Wilkinson. Sharifa's love of sports, venues and events began at Syracuse University in Upstate New York as a high- performance athlete. She played at one of the highest levels in women’s football and at the conclusion of her football career she transitioned from participating to organising. It was at Syracuse University that she developed a foundation of knowledge, skills and experiences in sport and event management.
Bringing an international perspective to her teaching. Sharifa has travelled all over the world, working on world class sporting events in Canada, the United States and Australia. Sharifa has worked for the Organising Committee in the Functional Areas of Venue Management and Games Operations Planning for three international multi-sport events; The 2015 Pan/ Parapan Am Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2019 Arafura Games.
Venue Management students will also benefit from Sharifa’s collaboration with the Organising Committees of the 2017 Invictus Games and the North American Indigenous Games as the Field House Manager for the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. As the Field House Manager, Sharifa had a dynamic portfolio and worked closely with Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams and facilitated event planning for organisations such as the Canadian Basketball League and the National Basketball League (NBA).
Working on both sides of major events in venue management has provided her with a holistic perspective on what it takes to plan and deliver.
Holding a Master of Education degree from the University of Ottawa, Sharifa now uses her educational and professional experience to mentor and educate those interested in developing their careers in the dynamic and rewarding, sport, event and venue management industries.
