Jane Arkell Memorial Ambassadorship
Celebrating Leadership, Inclusion, and Accessibility
Introduction
The Jane Arkell Ambassador designation honours the memory of Jane Arkell (1952–2023) and recognizes outstanding trainees who embody her values of leadership, advocacy, and inclusion. Announced at the inaugural CDPP 2.0 Summer Institute in June 2025, the award highlights emerging scholars who are poised to carry Jane’s legacy forward.
Who Was Jane Arkell?
Jane Arkell was a tireless advocate for disability inclusion in Canada. As the long-time Executive Director of the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD), Jane championed the rights of persons with disabilities to participate fully in sport, recreation, and community life.
Jane was widely respected for her visionary leadership and her ability to bring people together across sectors. She worked to ensure that research, policy, and practice were informed by the voices of those with lived experience. Beyond her professional achievements, Jane was remembered for her generosity, warmth, and mentorship of countless students and young professionals.
Her life’s work continues to inspire the CDPP 2.0’s mission to advance quality participation for Canadians with disabilities.
What the Ambassadorship Represents
The ambassadorship recognizes trainees who embodied Jane’s spirit, values, and leadership qualities throughout the CDPP 2.0 Summer Institute.
Trainees receiving the designation of Jane Arkell Ambassador demonstrated the following characteristics that Jane embodied:
- Inclusivity: Harnesses equity and inclusionary practices.
- Leads From Behind: Helps others grow by supporting their autonomy and decision-making, while guiding through influence rather than using a formal position of power or control.
- Collaboration: Engages meaningfully with others, values teamwork, and is open to building strong partnerships across sectors and communities.
- Mentorship: Provides guidance, encouragement, and support to peers and emerging leaders.
- Authenticity: Acts with honesty, humility, and integrity; stays true to personal and professional values.
- Visionary Thinking: Sees beyond current limitations to imagine and work toward more inclusive futures.
- Joyful Engagement: Approaches work with warmth, humour, and positivity, inspiring others through enthusiasm and care.
- Respectful Communication: Interacts with others in ways that demonstrate dignity, kindness, and an openness to different perspectives.
2025 Jane Arkell Ambassadors
Haley Berrisford
University of British Columbia-Okanagan
Supervised by Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
Tamunoemi Bob-Manuel
Queen’s University
Supervised by Dr. Afolasade Fakolade
Alessia Capone
University of Toronto
Supervised by Dr. Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulous
Katie Disimino
York University
Supervised by Dr. Rebecca Bassett-Gunter
Cameron Gee
University of British Columbia
Supervised by Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
Alyssa Grimes
Queen’s University
Supervised by Dr. Amy Latimer-Cheung
Owen Juan
Queen’s University
Supervised by Dr. Jennifer Tomasone
Maggie Locke
Dalhousie University
Supervised by Dr. Sarah Moore
Ebrahim Mahmoudi
McGill University
Supervised by Dr. Keiko Shikoku
Marley Mullan
Queen’s University
Supervised by Dr. Jennifer Tomasone
Zainab Naqvi
Queen’s University
Supervised by Dr. Amy Latimer-Cheung
Jake Neufeld
University of Saskatchewan
Supervised by Dr. Sarah Donkers
Kenny Noguchi
University of British Columbia
Supervised by Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
Adam Purdy
Western University
Supervised by Dr. Laura Misener
Sep Rassi
York University
Supervised by Dr. Rebecca Bassett-Gunter
Rayona Silverman
Acadia University
Supervised by Dr. Emily Bremer
Sofia So
Dalhousie University
Supervised by Dr. Sarah Moore
Gabriela Szydlowski
McGill University
Supervised by Dr. Keiko Shikoku
Kailan Tang
University of British Columbia
Supervised by Dr. Andrea Bundon
Leah Taylor
Western University
Supervised by Dr. Trish Tucker
Alexandra Walters
University of British Columbia-Okanagan
Supervised by Dr. Kathleen Martin Ginis
Meredith Wing
University of Ottawa
Supervised by Dr. Andrea Bundon
Carrying the Legacy Forward
The Ambassadorship is both a recognition of achievement and a challenge to continue leading with integrity, inclusivity, and vision. Just as Jane Arkell inspired a generation of researchers and practitioners, the Ambassadors are called to inspire others through their work, relationships, and advocacy.
Through this recognition, the CDPP 2.0 honours Jane’s memory while investing in the future of disability and participation research in Canada.