Michelle Stilwell and Karen O’Neill provide leadership at AmPC’s Women in Para Sport Forum 

Thoughtful, engaging, authentic, and impactful discussions drove a successful Women in Para Sport Forum last weekend in Aruba.  

An initiative led by the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC) alongside the Aruba Paralympic Committee, the forum gathered more than 100 women from 29 countries across the Americas – sport and community leaders, athletes, coaches, and technical officers – from May 1-3 for panels, workshops, mentoring, networking, and professional development. 

Karen O’Neill, CEO of CPC, and Michelle Stilwell, vice-president of CPC, attended and lent their leadership, expertise, and collaboration to the event.  

“I feel so privileged to have been able to take part in something that brought together 29 countries across the National Paralympic Committee network,” said Stilwell, a four-time Paralympian. “It truly was a unique and powerful environment. I would say there was a strong sense of shared purpose, with women at different stages of their leadership, journeys connecting, learning from one another, and offering genuine support.” 

O’Neill, who is also the vice-president of the AmPC’s Women’s Commission, has been a driving force behind the event for years. CPC hosted the first edition of the forum in Ottawa in 2019, and Aruba marked its fourth iteration (events have also been hosted in Lima and Mexico).  

“I am grateful to have been part of the Women in Para Sport Forum in Aruba alongside such inspiring leaders,” said O’Neill. “The collaboration between local community groups, regional, and international partners was powerful, and Aruba set a high standard as host. It was a fantastic launch for the women connecting with each other and continuing their leadership journey.”    

The goal of the forum is to strengthen the participation and leadership of women in the Paralympic Movement across the Americas region.  

“I think the importance of this kind of gathering really can’t be overstated,” said Stilwell. “This is an intentional space for women in sport leadership to connect across countries and contacts. It helps to strengthen not only the individual growth of the participants, but the broader system as well.”  

Looking ahead, the 2027 edition will be held in Lima (host of the 2027 Parapan American Games) and both O’Neill and Stilwell are excited about the event’s impact and continued growth.  

“A key takeaway from me is the value of community,” said Stilwell. “Leadership can often feel isolating, but this event reinforced how powerful it is when women come together to share experiences, perspectives, and support. I feel there is real momentum in this space, and it’s exciting to see how that will continue to grow.”