Champion dads
Dad Central Champion Dads
Dad Central is honoured to partner with prominent Canadian men who have embraced their role as dads. Read their stories, feel their passion and embrace their examples. We know they’ll inspire you to be an involved, responsible and devoted dad – one your kids call a “Champion Dad!”
Meet Our Champion Dads
Trevor Linden
Trevor played twenty seasons in the NHL from 1988 to 2008, sixteen of those with the Vancouver Canucks, earning him the nickname “Captain Canuck.” He is married to Cristina and dad to Roman, his son born in 2017.
Niigaan Sinclair
Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair is Anishinaabe and originally from St. Peter’s (Little Peguis) near Selkirk, Manitoba. He is an award-winning writer, editor and activist who is also the proud dad to his teenage daughter, Sarah.
Susur Lee
Susur Lee is a Chef and restaurant owner, running several Toronto restaurants and a restaurant in Singapore, while also competing in cooking shows such as Iron Chef Canada. He is married to Brenda Bent and they have three adult sons.
Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen is a Canadian Paralympian, activist and philanthropist for people with disabilities through the Rick Hansen Foundation. He cherishes his role as husband to Amanda and dad to three daughters and two grandsons.
Shea Emry
Shea Emry is an award-winning all-star middle linebacker and two-time Grey Cup champion. Shea played eight seasons in the CFL. He is a dad to two sons and cares about technology and its potential effects on his children.
Kevin Newman
Kevin Newman is a dad to two adult children. As an award-winning author and journalist he’s been the co-host of Good Morning America, founding anchor and executive editor of Global National, host of CTV’s W5 and Kevin Newman Live.
Greg Wells
Dr. Greg Wells is an author, exercise physiologist, assistant professor at the University of Toronto, and scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children where his research improves children’s lives. He is a proud dad to a daughter and son.
Stuart Shanker
Dr. Stuart Shanker is a professor emeritus at York University and founder of the MEHRIT Centre. He is a bestselling author and speaker on self-regulation. He is a dad to a son born in 2002 and daughter born in 2005.
Mark Mulroney
Mark Mulroney has spent his entire career working in financial markets. He currently serves as a managing director with Scotiabank’s global banking and markets team. He is a proud dad to 4 sons and a daughter.
Wade Davis
A member of the Order of Canada, Wade Davis is a the author of 23 books and professor of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. He is proud dad to his two daughters who are in their thirties.
The Author Behind Champion Dads
As a counsellor for children and families Tessa Lloyd dreamed of helping more men in their journey of fatherhood. When fathers discussed their parenting challenges with her, it was clear they often felt isolated, and suffered from a lack of support from society—and from each other.
Tessa understood the ways a father-child relationship can have a lasting effect through the generations. She believed that men would benefit from hearing each other’s stories about being a dad. Her determination to use stories as a vehicle to drive lasting change resulted in the creation of her book, Forty Fathers: Men Talk About Parenting.
The stories are extraordinarily candid and vulnerable, as the fathers describe their own failings, regrets and childhood traumas, as well as the humbling process of trying to do better. The stories offer a glimpse into the shared experiences and trials of fatherhood, as well as fascinating reflections on the more universal experiences of finding one’s place within a family and striving to be a better person for the sake of others.
Dad Central is grateful for Tessa’s passion to support fathers. Today, more than ever, families need help to navigate life. Dads are often forgotten, so we reached out to Tessa, who graciously agreed to partner with us to create Champion Dads. Through Tessa’s support, ten of the men in her book accepted the invitation to share their story and be named a Champion Dad. We hope their commitment will help to amplify the importance of fathers in creating healthy families.
Champion Dads only exists because of Tessa’s efforts and willingness to support Dad Central. Thank you Tessa for believing in dads and partnering with us!
Please get a copy of Tessa’s book and share it with a father you know. The stories will inspire every dad to find the Champion Dad within.