Hear from a CPC Board member: Michelle Stilwell 

 
The Canadian Paralympic Committee has opened its call for applications for the 2027 Board of Directors. With five open director positions on the Board, CPC is seeking candidates with diverse backgrounds, skill sets, lived experience, and expertise who are excited about the opportunity to make a positive impact.   

To access the nomination package, please click here. The application deadline is October 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.   

To learn more about what it’s like to be on the CPC Board of Directors, hear from vice-president Michelle Stilwell below: 

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Michelle Stilwell, PLY 

Tenure: Vice-President, 2025-29 // Director 2022-25 

Michelle Stilwell is one of Canada’s most accomplished Paralympians, attaining the rare feat of winning Paralympic gold medals in two different sports – wheelchair basketball and Para athletics. She represented Canada at four Paralympic Games (2000, 2008, 2012, 2016) and the 2015 Parapan American Games, earning multiple medals and inspiring a generation of athletes. 

Beyond sport, Stilwell has dedicated her career to public service and advocacy. From 2012 to 2020, she served as the MLA for Parksville-Qualicum and was appointed Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation (2015–2017), helping to shape policies that improved accessibility and inclusion.  

Q: What drew you to join the CPC’s Board of Directors? 

A: The CPC has been a defining part of my life – not only as an athlete, but as someone who has experienced firsthand the transformative power of sport. Competing for Canada gave me opportunities I never imagined following my spinal cord injury, and I wanted to help ensure future generations of athletes have the same opportunity to dream big and succeed. 

After my athletic career, I was fortunate to build experience in government, executive leadership, and governance. Joining the CPC Board felt like a natural way to give back by bringing those experiences together in service of an organization that has meant so much to me. 

Q: How does working with the CPC align with your values? 

A: At my core, I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. The CPC embodies that belief by creating pathways for athletes with disabilities to excel, lead, and inspire. 

The values that guide the organization – excellence, inclusion, integrity, and courage – are the same values that have shaped my life, both in sport and beyond. Whether in the boardroom or on the track, I believe strong leadership is about creating opportunities for others, making thoughtful decisions, and leaving organizations stronger than you found them. 

Q: What have you taken away from your experience on the Board so far?  

A: One of the greatest takeaways has been seeing the impact that thoughtful governance has on athlete success. While much of a board’s work happens behind the scenes, every strategic decision helps build a stronger system that supports athletes, coaches, and the broader Paralympic Movement. 

I’ve also been inspired by the dedication and expertise of my fellow directors and staff. We come from diverse backgrounds, but we share a common commitment to putting athletes first and continually improving how we serve them. 

Q: What excites you most about the future of CPC? 

A: I’m excited by the momentum we are building – not only in high-performance sport, but in growing awareness, partnerships, and opportunities for Canadians with disabilities to participate in sport at every level. 

As the Paralympic Movement continues to grow, so does our opportunity to influence how Canadians think about inclusion, excellence, and possibility. I believe the CPC is well positioned to lead that future, and I’m proud to be part of a board that is committed to thinking strategically, embracing innovation, and ensuring that future generations of Paralympians have every opportunity to succeed. 

Hear from a Director:  

Judy Joseph-Black  

Tenure: Director, 2025-29 // Director, 2022-25 

Judy Joseph-Black has worked in a myriad of sport positions over the past three decades including the BC Games Society as an Event Manager, the Provincial Government as a sport consultant, managing the national women’s soccer team, owning her own sport communications company, executive director for Badminton BC, and the Sports Information Director for the University of Victoria athletic department.  

She has also been part of communications teams at the Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and Canada and Western Canada Games. An advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and equity her entire career, she is currently retired, lending her sport administrative expertise to three boards. 

Q: What drew you to join the CPC’s Board of Directors? 

A: I was drawn to the CPC Board of Directors because it represents a powerful intersection of sport, equity, and national pride. The CPC is more than a sports organization – it’s a movement that champions universal access, challenges societal barriers, and celebrates the excellence of athletes with disabilities on the world stage. I am inspired by the chance to contribute to something bigger: advancing inclusion, shaping a more accessible sport system, and supporting athletes whose resilience and talent redefine what is possible. The CPC attracts people who want their leadership to have real social impact, who value diversity in all its forms, and who believe that sport can be a catalyst for cultural change across Canada. 

Q: How does working with the CPC align with your values? 

A: Sitting on the Board of Directors for the CPC is a natural extension of my commitment to inclusion and diversity. I believe deeply in creating spaces where every individual is recognized for their strengths and supported in achieving their full potential, and the CPC’s mission of universal access regardless of ability reflects that conviction. Working with an organization that champions equitable opportunities in sport allows me to contribute to a culture where barriers are challenged, representation is prioritized, and people of all abilities are empowered to thrive. This role aligns with my values because it is rooted in the belief that inclusion is not an initiative – it is a responsibility. 

Q: What have you taken away from your experience on the Board so far?   

A: The Board of Directors has given me meaningful experience in shaping policy, strategy, and advocacy for an organization that champions equitable access in sport. I have gained firsthand insight into how national‑level decisions are made to support athletes of all abilities, while collaborating with leaders who are deeply committed to inclusion, accessibility, and systemic change. This role strengthens my governance skills, broadens my understanding of disability‑inclusive program design, and deepens my ability to influence organizations toward more equitable practices. Most importantly, it allows me to contribute to a mission that aligns with my values: ensuring that every person, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to participate, compete, and thrive.  

Q: What excites you most about the future of CPC?  

A: The future of the CPC is rooted in expanding opportunity, strengthening representation, and elevating the voices and experiences of athletes with disabilities across Canada. As the landscape of sport continues to evolve, the CPC is positioned to lead national conversations about accessibility, inclusive program design, and equitable pathways to high‑performance competition. The organization’s future will likely focus on deeper community engagement, broader athlete development pipelines, enhanced support systems, and stronger advocacy for universal access – not just within sport, but across Canadian society.   

Hear from a Director:  

Dominique Breton  

Tenure: Director, 2025-27  

Dominique Breton holds a bachelor’s degree in public communications, a master’s degree in public administration, and is pursuing a certificate in corporate governance from Université Laval. 

A recognized leader in the health and social services network for 25 years and assistant deputy minister since 2019 for the Government of Québec, she has vast experience in high-level management functions. As assistant deputy minister, part of her responsibilities included programs aimed at integrating care and services for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. 

She has been volunteering in competitive sports such as cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and mountain biking since 1998.  

Q: What drew you to join the CPC’s Board of Directors? 

A: I chose to join the Board of Directors of the CPC because I strongly believe in the power of sport as a catalyst for inclusion, personal development, and social change. In addition to enabling athletes to achieve excellence, the Paralympic Movement helps shift perceptions of disability and create a more inclusive society. 

I want to contribute my experience in governance, strategic leadership and partnership development with an organization whose mission has a tangible impact on the lives of individuals and communities. For me, this is an opportunity to help grow the Canadian Paralympic Movement while supporting athletes in achieving their goals and advancing accessibility. 

Q: How does working with the CPC align with your values? 

A: The CPC’s values align closely with my own. Excellence, inclusion, respect, courage, and determination are principles that also guide my professional and personal journey. 

I strongly believe in the importance of creating environments where everyone can participate fully, regardless of their abilities or differences. I am also convinced that lasting success requires integrity, collaboration, and mutual respect. Finally, continuous improvement and a commitment to equity are values I strive to promote in everything I do. 

Q: What have you taken away from your experience on the Board so far?   

A: My experience on the Board has deepened my understanding of the issues that pertain specifically to Paralympic sport in Canada, including accessibility, funding, talent development, and athlete visibility. 

I have also had the opportunity to work with dedicated administrators and partners from diverse backgrounds, which has broadened my perspective and reinforced my belief that collaboration is key to achieving ambitious goals. Through this experience, I have come to appreciate the quality of the work carried out by the CPC and the real impact of its efforts on athletes, sports federations, and Canadian society. 

Q: What excites you most about the future of CPC?  

A: I am most excited by the Paralympic Movement’s potential for growth and influence in Canada. I am particularly inspired by the opportunities to improve accessibility, increase participation in sport, nurture the next generation of athletes and raise the profile of Paralympic sport throughout the Paralympic cycle. 

I am also very pleased with the Government of Canada’s historic commitment to the development of Paralympic sport and to supporting athletes. The investments announced over the past year reflect a growing recognition of the importance of the Paralympic Movement and its contribution to Canadian society. This financial commitment is a key driver for improving access to sports, supporting talent development, reducing some of the financial barriers to sport participation and fostering excellence on the international stage. 

Beyond athletic success, I see these investments as a lasting legacy for future generations. They will help create more opportunities for youth with disabilities to discover sports, develop their potential and dream of a Paralympic career. As such, this is not only an investment in today’s athletes, it is also a commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future. 

I am also excited to contribute to the implementation of the 2023-2033 Strategic Plan. Through its work with athletes, federations, partners, and communities, the CPC has the opportunity to play a leading role in promoting safe, inclusive and accessible sports, while creating a lasting positive impact across Canadian society.