Hot Planet Cool Athletes Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of climate champions. Our goal is to reach 10,000 high school students annually through in-school presentations and thousands more in remote and First Nations communities through VR experiences.
In support of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework, the Hot Planet-Cool Athletes program brings Canadian Olympic Medalists and World Champions into schools to leverage the unique power of sport to inspire and drive climate awareness and action. The program is completely free to high schools across Canada and is developed by the University of Waterloo.
Board of Directors & Staff
Hot Planet Cool Athletes Canada is governed by a board of directors who are responsible for the strategic direction and overall governance of the organization.
Mike Douglas, Chair
Mike Douglas has been called one of the 10 most influential freeskiers of all time. He, along with the members of the New Canadian Air Force, pioneered modern freestyle skiing and developed the first high-performance twin tip ski with Salomon back in 1997. Since then he’s won dozens of awards for his skiing, and has more recently added award-winning filmmaker to his resume. His company, Switchback Entertainment, produces documentary adventure films and the web series Salomon TV.
Marie-France Roy, Vice Chair
Growing up at the foot of Mount Éboulements in Quebec, Marie was always surrounded by snow. Like most kids, Marie started on skis, but at the age of 11 she switched to snowboarding after seeing her older brothers ripping down the mountains.
Since then, Marie has made appearances in X-Games and the Abominable Snowjam, while still filming video parts. She has been awarded TransWorld SNOWboarding’s Woman Rider of the Year, Women’s Reader’s Choice, and the Women’s Video Part of the Year. Marie has also worked on a non-profit snowboard documentary called ‘The Little Things.’ Being known for her sustainable lifestyle, she focused the movie on balancing life with the environment.
Daniel Scott, Treasurer
Professor, University Research Chair and Director, Master of Climate Change Program, University of Waterloo. Daniel’s current research program focuses on the human dimensions of global environmental change, climate and society, and sustainable tourism.
M-J Legault, Secretary
As one of mountain sport industry’s leading marketing strategists and co-owner of Origin Design & Communications, M-J Legault is the driving force behind several mountain sports and destination marketing campaigns. Legault holds a degree in Marketing from Concordia University and has worked in ad agencies based in B-C, Colorado and Vermont, never straying far from the mountains that inspire her. Legault has worked with brands such as Salomon, TNF, Jay Peak Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Lululemon and Whistler Blackcomb. After a stint at Origin’s Whistler office, Legault saw the potential for expanding the Origin brand and, in 2002, she piloted her motorcycle east and opened an office in Montreal, where she now lives. MJ is a frequent speaker at conferences for The National Ski Areas Association, Mountain Travel Symposium, The National Parks and Recreation Association and the Outdoor Industry Association.
Sven Sandahl 
International Outdoor-Ski and Action Sport industry veteran – Serial entrepreneur – Philanthropist – Global network Passionate about Planet/Climate + Water + Poverty + Food/Health + Education + Indigenous peoples/Elderly + Life. You’ll most likely find him in Whistler / Hanalei Bay / Fjällnäs / Malibu / Patagonia.
David Erb, Executive Director 
Dave has extensive management experience in the business and charitable sectors in Canada. He’s passionate about skiing, environmental education and fostering the next generation of climate champions.