Meet the Visionaries Shaping Our Future
At Grassroot Soccer Association, our success is driven by a dedicated leadership team committed to realizing our vision of fostering vibrant communities through soccer. Each member brings unique expertise, passion, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact. Get to know the individuals steering our organization towards a future of youth development, healthy living, and lifelong success.
Olakunle Olamilehin
Board Position: Founder & CEO
Board Member since: August 30, 2023
Olakunle (Ola) is a founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grassroot Soccer Association. Ola moved from the United States to Canada in 2015 and continues his passion for the game of soccer. Ola has been involved with soccer at various levels since 1990. He has lived and played Soccer in 5 countries over 4 continents. Ola speaks or understands multiple languages including Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Yoruba and English. Ola has several experiences of how soccer has helped bring people together regardless of their diversities. This propelled Ola to establish the Grassroot Soccer Association.
Ola is married with two lovely children. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria, a Masters of Science degree in RAMS from Norway and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Texas, USA. He is also a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt practitioner, Professional Scrum Master, Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional, and is an active Professional Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). He is currently employed as Staff Process Safety Engineer at Cenovus Energy.
Contact – olakunle@grassrootsoccer.ca
Nima Macci
Board Position: Board member
Board Member since: November 1, 2023
Nima, a dynamic Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Calgary, has excelled in various roles in the Canadian energy sector. Currently an engineer in training (EIT) at Cenovus Energy, she navigated a dynamic career path, from a facilities project engineering intern for Husky (now a Cenovus subsidiary) to a role on the technical process safety team, conducting risk assessments for downstream refineries. Nima’s commitment to safety and innovation led to her current position as a project EIT, providing front-line engineering support for facility changes across Canadian Thermal Conventional Heavy Oil assets.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Nima’s impact extends globally through being involved with numerous non-profits over the years organizing and facilitating campaigns and fundraisers for poverty alleviation as well as anti-racism initiatives with the Ministry of Canadian Heritage. Her vigor for imparting a positive impact in the world has allowed her to become a recipient of the 2024 Top 30 Under 30 award by the Alberta Council of Global Cooperation. This recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting Nima’s dedication to creating a sustainable, inclusive and resilient future in the Canadian energy sector and beyond
Contact – nima@grassrootsoccer.ca
Dolapo Oni
Board Position: co-founder and Director of Operations and Development
Board Member since August 30, 2023
Dolapo Oni is a co-founder and Director of Operations and Development at Grassroot Soccer Association. Dolapo’s interest and involvement in soccer has spanned several years and across many levels, from playing actively in non-professional leagues to coaching, running soccer and fitness camps and assisting in professional player development. Following his relocation from his native Nigeria to Canada in 2018, he has since pursued his passion for soccer and held several roles in Calgary’s grassroot soccer scene, helping to organize informal soccer teams, associations, competitions, training camps and even 1-on-1 coaching for professional player development. As part of his local community efforts, he coaches several non-league teams and organizes frequent soccer training camps for kids and youth. Some of his trainees have been invited to trials with both Canadian and European football clubs. Dolapo has also completed part of his training to obtain a Grassroot Coaching certification with Canada Soccer.
Dolapo speaks English and his native Yoruba language fluently and is married with a child. He holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Economics from Nigeria. He is also a Certified Scrum Product Owner and Licensed Investment Representative. He currently works in wealth management with one of Canada’s largest wealth management business. He is also a certified first aider and fire safety warden for his place of business.
Contact – dolapo@grassrootsoccer.ca
Colleen Duncan
Board Position: Board member
Board Member since: Jan 15, 2023
Colleen Duncan is a highly accomplished Human Resources professional residing in Calgary, Alberta, with a rich cultural background as a first-generation Canadian born to Caribbean parents from Jamaica, West indies who migrated to Calgary Alberta in the 1970s. Graduating with a Diploma in Business Administration from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
(Calgary, Alberta) and a Bachelor of Commerce from York University, (Toronto, Ontario). Colleen brings a comprehensive understanding of HR practices, blending practical expertise with strategic insights.
With a specialization in talent acquisition, employee relations and performance management, Colleen has excelled in the unique environments of healthcare and provincial transportation for the province of Ontario. For the past four years, Colleen has dedicated her skills and knowledge to the Calgary, Alberta non-profit sector with her most recent role at the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo as a Senior HR Business Partner. This experience adds depth to her understanding of Human Resources Management in diverse contexts, reinforcing her commitment to community service and engagement.
Beyond professional achievements, Colleen is deeply committed to community service, volunteering for church events that focus on educating attendees about career and HR practices. Her active participation in community engagement reflects Colleen’s belief in giving back and empowering individuals with valuable knowledge to grow their careers in the Canadian job market. In addition to her professional and community work, Colleen maintains a healthy lifestyle, enjoying group fitness spin classes.
Contact – colleen@grassrootsoccer.ca