ABILITIES CENTRE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Human Resources
Arnetia is the go-to for all things HR. She started as a Durham College placement student in 2016 and stayed on as a volunteer to gain more hands-on experience in the field, before officially joining the team in 2017. Over the last 6 years, she has worked her way up the ranks from Coordinator to Manager, learning to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of HR while keeping AC compliant and ahead of best practices in the process. In addition to her time in HR, she has many years of experience in Customer Service and Team Leadership, gained from previous employment and volunteer positions. A creative person by nature, she enjoys collaborating with, and learning from, coworkers on how to make Human Resources more accessible and inclusive, while bringing a fresh perspective and a more personal approach to HR. What academic work set Arnetia up for success? Arnetia holds a Bachelor's of Commerce in Business Management from Ryerson University, majoring in Global Management, minoring in Organizational Leadership. She also has a Human Resources Graduate Certificate from Durham College and received her Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation in 2020. She continues to invest in education and knowledge through webinars as she pursues the Certified Human Resources Leadership (CHRL) designation next. Interesting tidbit With her parents and brother, Arnetia immigrated to Canada from Guyana when she was 3; she now lives in Peterborough ON with her husband, whose family immigrated from Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica. Contact: achin@abilitiescentre.org
ASAD Durham is hosted at the multi-award-winning Abilities Centre facility in Whitby, Ontario.
Recognized as an International Centre of Excellence for its fully accessible design and inclusive environment, global partnerships and signature programming, Abilities Centre provides a world-class training environment for student athletes.
Providing student athletes with access to state-of-the-art equipment, FIBA regulation courts, IAAF approved 200m indoor track, sport medicine and nutrition facilities, the Abilities Centre facility provides an optimal environment for student athletes to realize their academic and athletic potential.
ASAD Durham also provides access to outstanding facilities in the Durham Region, which include the Whitby Dome and Iroquois Park Sports Complex
Job Titles:
- Manager, Physical Literacy & Education
Bronwyn started at Abilities Centre in 2021 as a placement student and knew she wanted to continue her journey with an organization whose values aligned with her own. In her current role as Manager, Physical Literacy & Education, Bronwyn leads a dynamic team who work to share Abilities Centre's vision and mission towards inclusion with regards to physical literacy development and physical activity opportunities. She works closely with educators, camp staff, and recreation professionals to expand their understanding in how to plan and deliver inclusive programming. Bronwyn is passionate about using strength-based approaches to create pathways for individuals of all ages and abilities to find activities they love.
Daniel currently works at Google helping large enterprises accelerate their digital transformations leveraging Cloud, advanced analytics and machine-learning technologies.
Before joining Google, Daniel led the Digital Strategy and Innovation team at
CIBC and was responsible for the development and implementation of the digital roadmap for CIBC's industry leading online and mobile banking properties. Before joining CIBC, Daniel spent nearly 15 years in progressive management consulting roles with PwC, E&Y, and Capgemini focusing on Technology, Strategy, Operational Effectiveness and Global Sourcing.
Daniel graduated from McMaster University with a degree in Economics and participated in CIBC's Adaptive Leadership Program and Genesis Park, PwC's Global Leadership Development Program.
Daniel joined the Abilities Centre Board in 2018 and his expertise in Digital strategy has been instrumental in the Abilities Centre's own digital transformation.
Job Titles:
- Director / Elizabeth
- Member of Whitby Council
Elizabeth Roy has been a member of Whitby Council for 17 years and is serving her first term as mayor. She was elected West Ward Councillor in 2006 and 2010, and Regional Councillor in 2014 and 2018. Before being elected to Whitby Council, Elizabeth served as a Durham District School Board Trustee from 1997 to 2006 and board chair from 1999 to 2004.
Elizabeth worked as a professionally trained medical radiation therapist for 34 years and practiced at Princess Margaret Hospital and the Durham Regional Cancer Center.
She currently serves on many boards and committees including the Whitby 55+ Recreation Advisory Committee, Downtown Whitby BIA Board of Management, Association of Local Public Health Agencies, and the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority board, which she chairs.
At the regional level, Elizabeth is chair of the Region of Durham's Health and Social Services Committee and sits on the Transit Committee, Transit Executive, Strategic Plan Development Task Force, and Durham Local Immigration Partnership.
Elizabeth is a mother of three grown children and a grandmother of two.
Emilie is an academically trained researcher whose desire for serving others led her to join the not-for-profit sector. She started collaborating with persons living with chronic diseases and disabilities early in her career and is passionate about finding ways to serve these communities through research. Since then, she has continued to find ways of advancing research in this field with partners across Canada. Her goal as Director of Research is to ensure that the programs and services at Abilities Centre have a long-term impact on participants. Before joining the Abilities Centre team, Emilie worked on research projects that aimed to better understand the physical activity experiences of persons with disabilities and individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Emilie has her Ph.D. in Kinesiology Sciences from McGill University, where she conducted research on program implementation and evaluation in individuals living with chronic disease, as well as explored behaviour change and motivation in persons with disabilities. She received her B.Sc. in Kinesiology with a Minor in History from McGill University as well.
Emmanuel Iheme " Emmy"
Proud father to two amazing children. Resident of Greebank, Scugog
Senior International Anti Doping Officer with Canadian Center for Ethics in Sports (CCES), Member of the True Sport Canada ambassadors and International Testing Agency (ITA).
Serving Chair for Their Opportunity board of directors, Board Chair: Charitable Fund Oshawa Rotary Club and Board member for the E-Camp Mentoring - Durham Region. Serving as the Co-Chair City of Oshawa Walk of Fame committee,
Served 29 years as a Staff Sergeant Community Safety Leader, Chief's Executive Officer at Durham Regional Police Service, Past President Rotary Club of Oshawa, Past Assistant Governor Rotary District 7070, Cochair Fundraising and Partnership - 2023 Ontario Parasports Games Durham Region, Past Co-Chair - 2019 Ontario Parasport Games Durham Region and Past board member for the Oshawa/Clarington Big Brother and Big Sister organization.
Erin graduated from Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands with a Bachelors of Physiotherapy degree. She skillfully provides her patients the tools they need to help them recover or manage the issue they are coming in for. Erin likes to work together to come up with the treatment that works best for her clients, with personalized exercise plans so that they are motivated to have the best recovery possible!
In her free time, Erin enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and trying new things.
Job Titles:
- Associate in the Corporate & Capital Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 's Toronto
- Director / Galen
Galen is an Associate in the Corporate & Capital Markets Group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP's Toronto office. His practice focuses on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on corporate finance and the investment management industry. Prior to joining BLG, Galen worked for a specialized fixed income manager and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Galen received his Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University and his Juris Doctor degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
Galen was appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2023 and is a member of the Governance, Nominations and Human Resources Committee.
Jason is the Director of Legal Services at the Region of Durham. Before joining Durham, Jason practiced law in Oshawa at Kitchen Kitchen Simeson McFarlane. Jason is a graduate from the University of Windsor Law School.
Jason is a long-time resident of the Durham community and dedicated supporter of the local community groups, where he held numerous roles such as Vice President of the Whitby Girls Hockey Association, Director for Sloane's House, President and Director of Durham Region Lawyers Association, Director of Durham Region Manufacturer's Association, Member of Durham College Paralegal Advisory Committee, Member of the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce Physician Recruiting Task Force and a Director on the Durham Access to Justice Hub.
Jason's legal expertise in non-for-profit sector and his ties to the community are tremendous assets to the Abilities Centre.
Job Titles:
- Director, Programs and Services / Larissa
Larissa comes to the Abilities Centre from a career in sport administration in both provincial sport and university athletics. Larissa manages and supports the department leads for programs and services by driving innovation and fostering a genuine, person-centred environment that values and encourages teamwork, inclusion, and accountability. She is passionate about evaluating and building infrastructure and frameworks to streamline processes and create efficiencies within our programs department.
Job Titles:
- Manager, Thrive
- Senior Coordinator for the Adult Day Program
In 2021, Mariam joined Abilities Centre as a Senior Coordinator for the Adult Day Program, Thrive. Currently moved into Manager role to continue to make a positive and meaningful impact at Abilities Centre for the DSO community accessing community participation.
Michael Cvitkovic was named president and chief executive officer of Abilities Centre on January 16, 2024.
Cvitkovic has been a fixture of the Canadian sports scene since the late 1990s, helping build some of the most successful sport and recreation brands in our country, including the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, Tennis Canada, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and most recently, launching the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) since its inception in 2019.
He has also provided leadership to underserved communities while bringing greater awareness to sport within Truth & Reconciliation as the General Manager of the successful 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto. A proud supporter of parasport, Cvitkovic was the Press Chief for Team Canada at the 2010 Paralympic Games.
During his career, Cvitkovic has successfully produced award-winning marketing and communication campaigns, balanced multi-million-dollar budgets, and worked with community partners, stakeholders, and staff to create unique and inclusive environments for members of the community through sports and recreation.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Mackenzie Health
Natalie Hovey is the Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Mackenzie Health. Natalie has more than ten years experience in senior roles in the health care sector.
Natalie received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Francis Xavier University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA,CMA)
Natalie has been active on various Boards and Committees in the health care sector where she contributes with her wide array of financial and business development expertise. Natalie joined the Abilities Centre Board of Directors in the spring of 2019, and she is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee.
Job Titles:
- Director, Revenue Development
Natasha is a passionate and a highly skilled fundraising professional. With 20+ years of experience in the charitable sector, she is purpose driven to raise money and create impact for Abilities Centre through sustained, innovative and meaningful partnerships. She wants to create positive change and see progress in the areas of accessibility and inclusion.
Natasha is donor-centred and committed to building strong, long-term relationships with individuals, community, and corporate partners. With a background in fundraising events, campaigns, sponsorship, and corporate and community development she is excited to create an environment of philanthropy at Abilities Centre.
Natasha is a graduate of York University and holds a Double Honours BA in Cultural Anthropology and Communications.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer / Ross
- Its Chief Operating Officer
Ross Ste-Croix joined Abilities Centre as its Chief Operating Officer on January 30, 2022. From November 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024, he served as the Centre's Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, and has now returned to his role as COO.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Principal at Level5
Sean Pavlidis is a Principal at Level5, a boutique management consulting firm focused on growth strategy and organizational transformation. His practice focuses on helping organizations define a growth path and align their operations to achieve their ambitions. Internally at the firm, Sean is a champion of the DEI-space and leads a team embedding DEI best practices into the organization.
Sean received his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree from Queen's University.
Sean was appointed to the Board of Directors in January 2023 and is a member of the Governance, Nominations and Human Resources Committee.
During her professional career, Sharon was the Director of Faculty Bargaining Services for the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (responsible for the management support in labour negotiations for Canadian universities), Vice-President Special Projects and Vice-President Administration and Finance for the University of Northern British Columbia; and Associate Vice-President Human Resources at University of Saskatchewan. Sharon served as the past Chair of the Board of Directors at Lakeridge Health and Vice- Chair of Kinark Child and Family Services.
Sharon received her Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of British Columbia and fulfilled the requirements for the ICD.D. designation.
Sharon's extensive experience in the education sector, which includes financial services, human resources management, facilities/capital management, purchasing, risk operations, ancillary/business operations including public/private partnerships contribute greatly to the work of the Abilities Centre Board of Directors.
Mr. Hazra graduated from The University of Huddersfield (UK) where he studied Computer-Aided Engineering. Mr. Hazra's extensive knowledge of the Employment Equity Act and over thirteen years working experience in the arena of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, are invaluable assets to Abilities Centre where Mr. Hazra serves as the Member of the Board of Directors and the Governance, Nominations and Human Resources Committee.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Member Experience / Tracy
Tracy has been with Abilities Centre since the doors opened in 2012 and knew at a that point in her career that Health & Wellbeing at Abilities Centre was always going to be a part of her life. Her passion for helping everyone to connect socially or physically at the centre was her plan from day one.
Tracy is responsible for the outstanding quality and inclusive Health & Wellbeing fitness programming for all ages and abilities; she also sets her standards to the highest to make sure we deliver outstanding customer excellence to our centre and community partners.
Coming from the UK (Scotland) Tracy, along with her two children had a few barriers to cross on their journey to becoming part of Canada's wonderful diverse and inclusive country.
Tracy has been in the Health & Wellness industry for over 25 years. Coming from a strong leadership background she has multiple certification in many streams in all fitness trends, from many fitness industries, she also holds a BSc (Hons) diploma from Strathclyde University in Leadership & Management, through Fitness, Sports & Development, she is also an Exercise Physiologist.