After an extraordinary 37-year career with CNIB, including a decade leading CNIB Lake Joe, Monique Pilkington is preparing for a well-earned retirement. Throughout her career, she has helped shape programs, build partnerships, mentor future leaders, and create life-changing opportunities for people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.
We chatted with Monique about the moments that defined her time at CNIB, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and the community she’ll always call home.
Q: When you accepted a one-year contract to join CNIB in 1989, did you ever imagine you'd still be here 37 years later?
Monique: Not for a second! When I joined CNIB as coordinator of district volunteer services on a one-year contract, I saw it as an important stepping stone in my career and an opportunity to gain experience with a respected organization. Before long, the people, and the work became my passion, and I knew I wanted to stay at CNIB.
Q: What challenges did you face in your early leadership roles?
Monique: Halfway through my second year managing the Medical Mobile Eye Care Unit (now called the Eye Van), I faced one of the biggest challenges of my career when a fire destroyed the truck, trailer and contents. Thankfully, no one was injured, but I remember feeling like it was like a death in the family.
There was an outpouring of support, and the community called for this vital service to continue. There was no option but to get the eye van back on the road. We did so thanks to a committed team of staff, volunteers, and supporters and partners, losing only 12.5 clinic days while still serving more than 3,000 patients that year.
Q: How did that experience lead to broader leadership roles within CNIB?
Monique: That experience, along with ongoing work to expand patient access, incorporate diabetes education, improve service delivery, and strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario, opened the door to broader leadership opportunities within CNIB.
Over the years, I took on a number of projects and served on the CNIB senior leadership team. I had the honour of celebrating major milestones, including CNIB's 100th anniversary, the transition of the Eye Van program to Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, the launch of the Sudbury Hub and the CNIB Foundation in Ontario North, and the development of the CNIB Learning Academy.
Q: What has made CNIB Lake Joe such a meaningful part of your career?
Monique: While every chapter of my career has been incredibly rewarding, the past ten years as Executive Director of CNIB Lake Joe have been the most meaningful and fulfilling.
There is something truly special about Lake Joe. Working alongside an incredible team of staff and volunteers, I have focused on building programs, partnerships, infrastructure, and leadership pathways that extend beyond any one role. What has made this work so meaningful is seeing its lasting impact: stronger communities, expanded access to services, and individuals gaining the confidence, skills, and opportunities to lead, advocate, and thrive.
A defining legacy of my role is the ongoing transformation of CNIB Lake Joe into a year-round accessible facility through major infrastructure development and investment. Thanks to donor support and a $3 million investment from the Ontario Ministry of Sport, the site is evolving from a seasonal operation into a year-round destination for recreation, learning, leadership development, and community engagement. I am proud that this work will significantly increase program diversity and access for future generations of people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision.
Q: What participant or volunteer story has stayed with you over the years?
Monique: There are so many, it's hard to choose just one. During a 2021 "Holiday Week" at CNIB Lake Joe, I was introduced to two young boys, Ollie and Mason, who met for the first time at camp. They quickly became close friends, trying new activities together and encouraging one another to step outside their comfort zones. One thing they had in common was that they were both recipients of a CNIB Buddy Dog. Their friendship and connection inspired conversations that ultimately led to the launch of our CNIB Buddy Dog camp pilot program the following year.
One participant was a young girl with complex health needs who attended Buddy Dog camp with her family after months of isolation during the pandemic. During the talent show, her father lifted her from her wheelchair and, with her feet resting on his, they danced and sang to “Who Let the Dogs Out.” As they encouraged everyone to join in, the room filled with pure joy, courage, belonging, and connection. It was a magical moment I’ll never forget.
Q: What inspires you most about being part of the Lake Joe community?
Monique: It’s the promise of our children and youth. Young participants often arrive at Lake Joe unsure of themselves, or having never met another person with sight loss, and they grow in confidence as they explore and connect with one another. What inspires me most is seeing many of them return years later as counsellors-in-training, staff, and leaders. That journey from participant to mentor is what defines Lake Joe, a place where people support one another, everyone belongs, and all are encouraged to grow.
Q: You've mentored so many people. What's one piece of leadership advice you'd pass along?
Monique: Leadership isn't about having all the answers. I believe people thrive when learning is valued more than simply knowing. When we learn together, we help others discover the leader within, and everyone succeeds. This approach creates space to embrace change, innovate, and try new things, even if it means making mistakes. And through it all, I believe it’s critical never to compromise your integrity. It’s the foundation of leadership.
Q: Describe Lake Joe in three words.
Monique: Community. Community. Community.
Q: What will you miss the most?
Monique: The people, without question. I’ll miss the conversations, the laughter, the challenges we tackled together, and seeing the difference our work made in participants’ lives. CNIB Lake Joe is more than a workplace; it’s a welcoming and supportive community. Being part of it has been one of the greatest privileges of my career, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside inspiring mentors and colleagues, dedicated volunteers, and remarkable participants.
Q: And finally… what’s next?
Monique: I’ve received some great advice from colleagues and friends about retirement: avoid planning too much so you can embrace whatever comes your way. I’m looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, reading more, and perhaps doing a little traveling.
I will be cheering on my CNIB, VLRC and DBCS colleagues, and I am fully confident that the sense of purpose and innovative spirit that defines our CNIB Lake Joe team will continue to flourish and create transformational change for years to come.