March of Dimes Canada Changemaker Awards

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Changemaker Awards - a smiling face facing the front and another looking to the side


March of Dimes Canada’s Changemaker Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions made by individuals and organizations who have made a profound impact in the lives of people with disabilities. 

Now in its third year, the Changemaker Awards shine a spotlight on those who champion equity, empower ability, and drive transformative change through innovation, collaboration, action, and advocacy.  

This year's winners were celebrated at March of Dimes Canada’s (MODC) signature gala, the Changemakers Supper Club on October 24, 2024 in Toronto. Congratulations to all the Changemaker Award winners!

This wonderful evening was filled with celebration, inspiration, and the chance to network with like-minded individuals who share a passion for creating positive change.  

 

2024 Changemaker of the Year Awards


2024 Community Changemaker of the Year

Greater Sudbury logo

                         
The City of Greater Sudbury

Economic Development Corporation


The Greater Sudbury Development Corporation (GSDC) is a not-for-profit agency and the economic development arm of the City of Greater Sudbury.

Governed by an 18-member board of directors and supported by City staff, the GSDC serves as a catalyst for economic development initiatives, focusing on the attraction, development, and retention of businesses in the community.

The GSDC Board collaborates closely with the City’s Economic Development division to advance priorities related to business retention, development, and attraction, as well as enhancing economic capacity, investment readiness, and community vibrancy.

The GSDC plays a key role in promoting community economic development by encouraging, facilitating, and supporting strategic planning. Through its partnership with March of Dimes Canada, the GSDC has made truly life-changing contributions to the lives of people with disabilities in the Greater Sudbury area.

The ongoing financial and logistical support the GSDC provides to Project SEARCH means students with disabilities have access to vital on-the-job training and experience. In its first year, for example, this partnership resulted in 100 per cent employment for the 10 participating students with an average wage of $21.00/hour.

The success of Project SEARCH in the Greater Sudbury area is a testament to the hard work and innovative thinking of the GSDC, its staff, and local partners.

As a critical leader in economic development, the GSDC works alongside community stakeholders to foster entrepreneurship, build on local strengths, and stimulate continuous growth, ensuring Greater Sudbury remains a dynamic and healthy city.


2024 Corporate Changemaker of the Year

TELUS logo


TELUS


TELUS leverages its world-leading technology and customer-first approach to drive social change, helping create a better world for future generations. The company is committed to harnessing innovation to build a more connected and accessible Canada for all.

Through its Connecting for Good™ programs, TELUS bridges the digital divide, ensuring marginalized communities have access to essential technology. The company's comprehensive approach to accessibility is evident across its products, services, and community initiatives.

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation™ supports youth-focused programs in education and health, including those aimed at individuals with disabilities.

A key initiative is the TELUS Tech for Good™ program, delivered in partnership with March of Dimes Canada. This program empowers individuals with disabilities to gain independence through customized assistive technology solutions and one-on-one training.

TELUS Wise® complements these efforts by supporting digital literacy initiatives, including March of Dimes Canada's HiTech program. This collaboration offers training and employment preparation for people with disabilities, exemplifying TELUS' commitment to both providing accessible technology and ensuring its effective use.

TELUS fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace through progressive hiring practices and accommodation policies. By leveraging the power of technology, TELUS continues to break down barriers and create a friendlier future for all Canadians.


2024 Volunteer Changemaker of the Year



Ron La Combe

Ron LaCombe


Ron was born in Hamilton and moved to Toronto when he was 10. He started working full time at 15 and by 17 was driving trucks and later buses. In 1974, he got married and in 1979 he and his wife Debbra had their son Kevin.

Ron’s spare time was dedicated to coaching hockey and baseball, and to many memorable family trips. He was also a service officer for the Royal Canadian Legion and squadron director for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

In 2012, Ron was diagnosed with having had 20 mini strokes, the last one of which caused some cognitive damage. Because he was unable to go back to work, his doctor suggested he get out and meet new people and maybe do some more volunteer work.



On his way out of the doctor’s office, Ron found a brochure titled “Peers Fostering Hope” from March of Dimes Canada. He applied to the program and soon after began his stroke recovery journey. Ron says meeting other stroke survivors taught him so much about his own stroke.

Ron also served as co-chair of the Toronto Stroke Networks where he met and worked alongside clinicians, therapists, and administrators all trying to improve after stroke care.

The two most important things to Ron are his family and giving back to the many people who supported him and helped him along the way.

While researching and writing his book “Not Your Dad’s Stroke,” Ron says he learned so much about how far stroke diagnoses, treatments, and rehab improved in the 20 years between his dad’s stroke and his own. He says he’s amazed at how far things have come since then, too.

“The future looks bright,” he said.


2024 Volunteer Changemaker of the Year


John McGowan

John McGowan


John had a stroke in 2012. He had no obvious speech or mobility issues and didn't receive any physiotherapy. The stroke did, however, cause several cognitive issues that meant John was no longer able to work.

John says the most useful help he received in the years after his stroke was being connected with other stroke survivors through March of Dimes Canada’s peer support programs. Sharing his story and hearing the stories of others continues to be a cathartic experience for John, offering insight into the commonalities and differences in the lives of other stroke survivors.


In 2017, John joined the executive committee of the Toronto chapter of MODC’s After Stroke program. He says his aim was to help fellow stroke survivors navigate the physical and emotional challenges that come with having a stroke and to share his “occasionally useful” advice. He’s served as either the chair or co-chair of the chapter since shortly after joining its executive committee.

John’s colleagues and peers speak highly of his level-headedness, kind spirit, honesty, and caring approach to all he does. He's a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities and is always eager to lend his time and energy to projects he thinks will increase awareness and provide accessible help to the full community in which we live.

John says he’s honoured to receive this award. But like all MODC volunteers, he says he’s getting more out of the experience than he's putting into it.


2024 Lifetime Achievement Changemaker of the Year


Cam Whale

Cam Whale


Cam began his journey with March of Dimes Canada helping set up an independent living complex in Oakville, Ont. He later joined MODC’s board of directors, serving on various committees, and was chair of MODC’s Non-Profit Housing Corporation on two separate occasions. He’s currently chair of the Stroke Recovery Association of BC.

Cam was instrumental in setting up MODC’s first brain injury supportive housing project in Sudbury, Ont., including working with developers on sit selection and property evaluation. His work on this project was a huge part of its success and contributed significantly toward creating affordable housing for people with disabilities.

It’s well known that Cam is always available to help out on things big and small. His stewardship and oversight over the past three decades have made an enormous difference in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and friends.

Cam is also a team player who knows the value of cooperation but isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo – whether it’s working to improve MODC service standards or pushing for the best possible outcome no matter how difficult the task.

In January 2020, Cam retired from a rewarding 40-year career with the Royal Bank of Canada. His work was focused on operational aspects of Canadian banking with an emphasis on national planning and integrating changing banking behaviours to secure the best possible branch locations for customers across Canada.


2024 Disability Changemaker of the Year


Lorin MacDonald

Lorin MacDonald


Lorin has been a trailblazer in pursuit of greater accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities for decades. A human rights lawyer by trade, she champions equity in both her professional and volunteer work.

Lorin’s keen sense and passion for all things accessibility are informed by her lived experience as a woman born with profound hearing loss.

Widely regarded as one of Canada’s leading disability advocates, Lorin is highly respected within the human rights legal community and is unwavering in her mission to raise awareness about disability and accessibility issues.





As a speaker, trainer, writer, and consultant, Lorin has helped amplify the voices of people with disabilities. She's also developed the Disability Law curriculum for the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she proudly teaches future leaders with disabilities and their allies.

Lorin’s groundbreaking contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named among the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers in the Human Rights category, the Law Society of Ontario Medal for her exceptional efforts in making the legal profession more accessible and inclusive, and being inducted into both the Canadian Disability Hall of Fame and the Order of Ontario. She was also included in Diversability’s D-30 Disability Impact List as the sole Canadian among 30 global disability leaders.

In 2023, Lorin received the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case, recognizing her work advancing gender equality. She’s particularly proud to receive legacy awards honouring two men she admires greatly: the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility (Role Model) and the Jim Flaherty Award for Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion.



How winners are selected 


Winners of our 2024 Changemaker Awards were selected by a committee comprising members of MODC’s Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team. Each nomination was reviewed and individually scored by all committee members. Winners were confirmed and officially notified by email and phone in September, 2024.  


Changemakers Awards Committee 


Wendy Murphy, Chair – MODC board member 
Graham Todd – MODC board member 
Lara Kaufman – Past recipient, Volunteer Changemaker of the Year Award (2023) 
Rabia Khedr – National Director, Disability Without Poverty, past recipient, Community Changemaker of the Year (2023) 
Siân Williams-Andrews – MODC volunteer 
Jason Lye – MODC Vice-President and Executive Director, Community Support Services 
Victoria Pearson – MODC Vice-President, Strategy, Research, and External Affairs 

Want to contact the committee? 

Questions about the nominations process? Need a nomination form in an alternate format? Send an email to awardscommittee@marchofdimes.ca  

Join us as we honour the remarkable achievements of our winners and acknowledge the collective effort to shape a more inclusive future. Together, we can make a difference! 


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