my's impressive journey is marked by her unwavering commitment to excellence and pioneering spirit. She is bilingual in English and French and holds certificates in Non-profit Management and Marketing, as well as being a Certified Relaxation Therapist. Amy's career includes breaking barriers in sports and her current role as Executive Director at Canadian Adaptive Snowsports (CADS), where she has implemented initiatives to boost operational efficiency and strategic adherence. Amy possesses core competencies in strategic leadership, non-profit management, stakeholder engagement, project and event management, IT management, fund development, grant writing, and membership services.

In addition to her professional achievements, Amy is a dedicated mother, writer, and executive chef, showcasing her dedication to personal growth and community engagement.

eb Blimkie is:

- Recipient of Bob Gilmour Inspirational Leadership Award – 2018 - 2019
- National Capital Division Board Member for last five (5) years
- Ten (10) years as part of Calabogie Management Team
- Twelve (12) years as part of Calabogie CADS Instructors Team
- Level 2 New CADS instructor (working towards Level 3)
- Seven (7) years CSIA Level 1 Instructor at Mount Pakenham supporting Skiing in Schools and private and group instruction
- Secured Calabogie as host for multiple Eastern Pre-Course
- Participating instructor at CADS Festival for five (5) years

She is a retired Human Resources/Labour relations Director with over 30 years of experience in private and municipal sectors such as the City of Brockville, Boeing Canada and Dyno Nobel. She studied Industrial Relations with a major in Sociology and Human Resources at McGill University.

Deb has excellent negotiation abilities, project management successes and communication capability developed while working in the manufacturing sectors and public sector.

She has real time experience of running a successful program of over 100 students, instructors and volunteers.

Deb's personal goals for CADS:

To provide support for the development of programs to benefit programs at all levels by
providing hands on view of needs of Programs to the Board.

Look to provide support for goals of fun, inclusion and respect and the integration of these goals across the programs.

dward J Shaw was involved in an industrial accident in 2005 and as a result had to have his leg amputated below the knee. Edward met with CADS Edmonton and was introduced to 3 track skiing.

Next year he joined CADS Calgary and enrolled in the 3/4 track program and learned to ski again. He was asked to become a volunteer the next year and took his level one and level 1 A. He then took on the role of instructor and Supervisor at CADS Calgary.

He has participated in several winter festivals, joined the provincial CADS Alberta board, and was President of CADS Alberta. During his time as President CADS Alberta, he was instrumental with other board members in diversifying CADS Alberta in by:

-Increasing the geographic footprint
-Increasing the Gender diversity of the provincial Board
-Increasing the number of disabled directors on the provincial Board

He has since obtained his level one CSIA certification and continues to volunteer at CADS Alberta.

Edward is an International business owner, a former Instructor and Educator with a Post-Secondary Education College in Alberta, is an active volunteer in the community and member of several community organizations.

have been a CADS member of NCD since January 1992 as a visually challenged student skier (and snowboarder) at Ski Hawks Ottawa. I served on the Ski Hawks Ottawa Board of Directors from 2009 to 2016. I do not let my visual challenge limit anything I have done.

In fall 2012, I joined the CADS-NCD Board of Directors, originally as Vice-President from December 2012 to November 2017 leading many projects to promote adaptive skiing and snowboarding, enabling more people to enjoy our programs. Since November 2017, I have been President. I led the Division through safe fun successful seasons with membership growing to CADS-NCD's highest ever enrolments.

I strive to promote CADS programs to improve societal involvement for people with challenges. In spring 2018, I led the process to modernize the Division name and bylaws. I helped by collaborating with the CADS-NCD Board of Directors, other Division and CADS National toward the Division remaining healthy-safe during the pandemic. Since winter 2018 I have participated on the CADS National Policy and HR Committee. For the past three years, I was a member of the CADS National Awards Committee and chaired it the past two years. I had fun attending the past few CADS festivals.

I am a team player, very easy to approach and a positive natured excellent communicator working in the federal government on items including change management, economics and governance.

While all programs and divisions differ, the vision, mission and values that bond us together are shared. That is what will foster a positive future for CADS. For over 25 years, I have always had fun experiences playing on the hill in CADS programs for both adaptive skiing and to a smaller extent snowboarding. I want this to be a goal for all CADS members. Therefore, my goal as a board member locally, divisionally, or nationally is to ensure more people have more fun playing or competing safely in CADS programs throughout all Canada.

rief Bio of nominee:
Natasha is a legal professional who provides in-house and corporate secretarial advice on a wide range of matters impacting defined benefit pension plans and their boards of directors. She has deep exposure to the role of boards in the not-for-profit space, including governance, strategic plan development, member communications, and change management. As General Counsel & Director, Corporate Governance at her current employer, Natasha is responsible for all legal aspects of the organization’s business, in addition to corporate and board governance.
Natasha loves spending time outdoors and lives on an acreage with her husband, two kids, and an ever growing menagerie of furry friends. Most weekends she will be found exploring trails either while skiing with her low vision daughter, who is an active participant in CADS’ “Learn to Ski” programming, or while riding her horse.

Nominee’s vision & personal goals for CADS:
I am seeking an opportunity to volunteer my time and experience in the not-for-profit board space. I have a low vision daughter who has been a CADS “Learn to Ski” student for several years. She has had such a positive experience that I would like to give back using my skills and knowledge to further CADS’ purpose of eliminating barriers for those living with disabilities who would like to experience
snow sports. If I can leave the CADS Board after my time on it marginally better than when I joined, with more awareness of its programming nationally, then my personal goals for joining the Board will be fulfilled.

am a sports professional who has worked for the past 15 years as a Senior Coaching Consultant with the Coaching Association of Canada. I currently work with Canada Snowboard, Alpine Canada alpin, and Special Olympics Canada, and others within my sport portfolio. I have worked with multiple NSO partners over the years developing National Coaching Certification Programs as well as working with various sports in the areas of strategic planning, governance, and workforce and volunteer development.

I am a CSIA Certified Ski Instructor and an ACA Certified Ski Coach. I am also trained in the NCCP in Special Olympics, Cricket, Hockey and the Aboriginal Coaching Module and Soccer. I am a certified NCCP multi-sport Master Coach Developer.

I currently reside in Winnipeg, MB. I have 2 great daughters who enjoy swimming, diving, and alpine ski racing.

I have a teaching background as I taught grades 3-12 Health & Physical Education, History and Outdoor Education before joining the team at CAC.

I have delivered NCCP programming in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Sport North - Northwest Territories and in various cities and indigenous communities in northern Manitoba.

I am also currently the Vice-President of the Board of Coach NB, and organization I have served for the past 5+ years.

he is an expert on Disarming Limiting Beliefs, Seen in Oprah Magazine with 100 million ++
viral video views about #NobodyLeftBehind, International Award-Winning Leader,
Accessibility Consultant, Auditor & Speaker, Decorated Athlete, World Cup Sailor, Bronze
medalist downhill para-skiing, 1st amputee who climbed the Himalaya Mountains, Bestselling
Author, and Canada's Disability Hall of Famer.
You have likely seen her on TV as Host of the Today Show on YOUR TV a show for people
with disabilities, consultant on TVO Employable Me for people with disabilities, or in several
commercials advocating accessibility such as ‘Everyone Everywhere’ from Rick Hansen
Foundation, ‘Winter Safety’ Advocate from March of Dimes or as host of Unstoppable YOU
on The Disability Channel for ROKU.
Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt brings 30 years’ experience in Accessibility as a results oriented
Director at Easter Seals and March of Dimes Canada, Facilitator, Accessibility Advisor
Authority and motivational speaker with yes Police, Fire, 911, ambulance and hospitals… she
is also active supporting corporate, city, educational, federal government, hospitals,
ministries and provincial government, multisport, not for profit, recreation facilities, and sport
Organizational, Learning and Professional Development as it relates to: ADA, AODA
Compliance, Change Management, Diversity, Employee Engagement, Government
Relations, Inclusion, Leadership Development, Performance Management and Team
Building. She is and has been on over two dozen boards as an Accessibility Advisor. Tracy
has become a strong social legacy change agent utilizing an influencing and consultative
approach with stakeholders. Tracy's involvement with the Pan Am Parapan Games, for
workplace Parapan Planning and Integration, received newspaper accolades from the
International Paralympic Committee for Toronto being the ‘best-prepared city ever’ ensuring
accessible services and operations for TO2015 games and clients and ever since joined on
the Vulnerable Persons Consultative Committee Canada.
She has loved skiing with CADS for 20+ years, She was on the Ontario Board and CADS in
years past, and excited to return. She has attended many festivals and intends on attending
many more!