The Jr. NBA Ambassador Team

Stephanie Rudnisky

Jr. NBA Ambassador of British Columbia
E-mail: SRudnisky@basketball.ca

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of British Columbia as well as a Master’s Degree in Advanced Studies in Sports Administration and Technology (MAS) from AISTS in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Currently, Stephanie is also the Manager of Youth Programs and Special Events at Basketball BC. Her previous work experience includes roles at Canadian Blind Sports, BC Deaf Sports, Volleyball BC and Field Hockey BC. Stephanie is an avid volunteer and sits on the Board of Directors for Promotion Plus, coaches basketball (high school, BC Summer Games, Provincial Team), and held the volunteer role as Sport Information Director for the TO2015 Parapan Am Games.  

Kenny Edison

Jr. NBA Ambassador of The Atlantic
E-mail: KEdison@basketball.ca

As a Jr. NBA Ambassador, Kenny administers all aspects of the Jr. NBA Youth Basketball program for the Atlantic Provinces.

In addition to his role as a Jr. NBA Ambassador, Kenny is very active in his community volunteering his time as a minor basketball coach and serving on the Campaign Management Team with the United Way of Halifax. Kenny holds a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering Degree from NSAC and TUNS (where he played varsity basketball), a Masters Certificate in Project Management and holds his Program Management Professional (P.M.P.) designation.

Ethan Sir 

Jr. NBA Ambassador of Alberta
E-mail: ESir@basketball.ca

Jillian Kehler

Jr. NBA Ambassador of Saskatchewan and Manitoba
E-mail: JKehler@basketball.ca

Jillian is the Program Coordinator for Basketball Manitoba and is in charge of various programming and basketball in the province including the position of President of the Winnipeg Women's Basketball League. While completing her BKin degree, Jillian did an internship with Basketball Manitoba where she went on from that to work with Sport Manitoba in their Manitoba Winter Games as Regional Manager. ​

Prior to joining NBA Canada/Canada Basketball and returning to Basketball Manitoba, Jillian worked at the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg with children and youth in their sport programs for two years and currently is a fitness instructor for adults at the Downtown YMCA. Furthermore, Jillian holds her National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) in Fundamentals and Fundamental Movement Skills - Community Leader.

Marlon Piedrahita

Jr. NBA Ambassador of Ontario
E-mail: MPiedrahita@basketball.ca

Marlon is the Jr. NBA Ambassador with Canada Basketball for the region of Ontario. He holds an advanced diploma in Sport Management at Humber College, and a post-graduate certificate in Sport & Event Marketing at George Brown College. He currently works for the Ontario Basketball Association (OBA) as the Coordinator for Community Development.  He facilitates basketball programming across schools in Ontario, teaching essential life skills and engaging students to peak interest in the game of basketball.  His passion lies within developing youth and providing them the opportunity to play the game they love without any barriers.

Tasala Tahir

Jr. NBA Ambassador of Ontario
E-mail: ttahir@basketball.ca

Tasala is the Jr. NBA Ambassador with Canada Basketball for the region of Ontario. She completed her degree in journalism from Ryerson University and is currently the Media Relations Coordinator for the Toronto Raptors. Tasala has worked as an instructor in many recreational sports programs with children  in Toronto. She has previous experience working with youth in sport as the Community Development Assistant at Ontario Basketball Association and during her time at MLSE LaunchPad. Basketball fuels Tasala, and she believes in the power of changing lives through sport.

Michael Chmielewski

 Jr. NBA Ambassador of Quebec
E-mail: mchmielewski@basketball.ca

Michael holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Concordia, having specialized in the field of Thermofluids and Propulsion.

Michael has been coaching basketball since 2004, having worked with age groups ranging from 4-5 year olds all the way through to the university level, having served as an assistant coach at McGill University in 2007-08. Currently, Michael is the head coach at Jean-de-Brébeuf, a school competing in the CCAA. Michael has also worked with community programs such as Sun Youth, Saint-Bruno, DJ Sports Boys and Girls Club.