Speakers and Presenters
Welcome to Connecting the Dots!
We are thrilled to introduce the dynamic and accomplished speakers and presenters who will be sharing their expertise and insights at this year's event. From thought leaders to industry pioneers, our speakers are at the forefront of innovation, hinting at the exceptional content and connections awaiting you as we explore the intersection of education, technology, and employment.
Keep checking back for updates on the lineup!
Jane Savidant
Jane is a Canadian entrepreneur, businesswoman, a former President and CEO, writer, communications expert, community volunteer and sailor. She founded Result Inc. in 1981, a company that specialized in corporate and marketing communications based in Calgary, Alberta. Result carved out a unique niche in Canada as the first company to offer comprehensive preparation and presentation of annual reports and investor communications. For over 25 years, Result worked with clients across Canada, providing advice and production of communication programs targeting investors, employees, environmental groups and government. Clients included energy companies, retail firms, sports franchises and governments. Under Jane’s leadership, Result developed a reputation for quality in the writing, design and production of client material and was recognized with many national and international awards. Result was acquired by Hill & Knowlton Canada in July 2006.
Jane is a graduate of Carleton University with a degree in English and Journalism. She earned the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Prior to starting Result she worked as a business journalist and editor for several publications including Canadian Business, Business Life in Western Canada and Canadian Petroleum. Her work achieved national recognition with the National Journalism Award of Business Writing in 1982; the Canadian Petroleum Association Award for Journalism the same year; and the Southam President’s Award in 1981 for Innovation and Excellence.
In addition to an active business career, Jane has also been involved in the community on a variety of volunteer boards and committees. She was the Chair of the Board of Directors of YMCA Calgary; a member of the Board of Directors of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Centre; and served on the Board of WinSport Canada. She acted as Co-Chair of the Cabinet for the University of Victoria’s new Centre of Recreation, Athletics and Special Abilities (CARSA). Jane is currently the Chair-Elect of the National Board of Directors of the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) where she has also served as Chair of the Governance Committee, Strategy Committee and Co Chair of the Guide Dogs Campaign. She is also the Member Representative for the National Board of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.
Kent Stewart
As an active member of the blind community, Kent understands firsthand how easily independence can be lost—and how challenging it can be to regain. This perspective is at the heart of Magnify’s approach.
Rather than focusing solely on products, Kent emphasizes the service, support, and real-life impact behind them. From magnifiers and lighting to mobility tools, each solution is selected with the goal of helping individuals reconnect with their daily routines, confidence, and independence.
Kent believes that adjusting to vision loss is a process, and that patience and practice are key when learning to use new tools and strategies. His goal is to meet people where they are, provide hands-on guidance, and support them in finding solutions that truly fit their daily needs.
Ana Booth
Ana Booth, M.Sc., Ph.D. is the Executive Director for British Columbia and Yukon at the CNIB, where she leads strategy, partnerships, and program delivery to advance inclusion and access for people with sight loss.
With over 20 years of leadership experience across the private and non-profit sectors, Ana has built and led high-performing teams, developed strong cross-sector partnerships, and driven meaningful organizational growth.
Earlier in her career, Ana held senior leadership roles in environmental engineering, including Director of Environment for BC at WSP Global, where she managed multidisciplinary teams and complex projects across multiple regions.
Ana brings both professional expertise and lived experience of sight loss to her work. She is a passionate advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and employment, known for her collaborative leadership and commitment to creating lasting social impact.
Suzanne Decary-van den Broek
Suzanne Decary has 20+ years of experience in the field of vision loss. A Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) with a background in Psychology, Suzanne started her career at CNIB as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist delivering client-centered rehabilitation services to individuals of all ages impacted by blindness and low vision before moving into management. In her current role as Senior Vice-President of CNIB, Programs, Suzanne oversees Programs and Operations across the country and is the executive lead for CNIB’s work with children, youth and families. She is committed to removing barriers for Canadians living with sight loss and has a special interest in the areas of education equity and inclusive communities.
Michael Pepin
Michel Pepin is HumanWare Canadian Sales Director. He has been working with HumanWare and the visually impaired community for the past 24 years and has occupied many hats during is career in the industry. In his current role, he is responsible to manage product distribution across Canada, overseeing sales operations, developing strategies to meet sales target and managing relationship with key partners and customers. He works closely with CNIB and Vision Loss Rehab offices across Canada to help support, train and service customer on the solutions offered by HumanWare.
Edwina Nearhood
Edwina Nearhood is a speaker, advocate, and community leader who inspires audiences to see opportunity in life’s unexpected changes.
Before losing her vision, Edwina spent decades building a career focused on leadership, collaboration, and methodical critical thinking. She served as President of the Appraisal Institute of Canada BC Association, was a Board Member of the Property Assessment Appeal Board, and led her own firm as President of Nearhood Appraisal Services. These roles reflected a lifetime of experience helping people navigate complex challenges with clarity and perspective.
Following a life-changing medical event that resulted in complete vision loss, Edwina drew on those same skills to adapt, rebuild, and create a new path forward.
Today she shares a message rooted in growth, mindset, and possibility. Through personal stories and practical insight, Edwina encourages audiences to take the stepping stones of experience that life offers and turn them into opportunities for purpose and fulfillment.
Amanda Pfrimmer
Amanda Pfrimmer is the National Manager of Federal and Contracted Programs at Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada. Leading initiatives that supports individuals with disabilities in accessing essentials services and funding. Through the Disability Benefits Navigation Program (GAIN) at VLRC the focus is on reducing barriers and improving access to disability benefits and credits. Passionate about creating practical, person-centered solutions that help individuals secure the supports they need. Amanda lives in Ontario with her spouse, two daughters, cat and dog and is an avid reader.
David Lyons-Black
David Lyons-Black is an experienced Accessible Travel Expert with Travel Masters in Vancouver, BC, specializing in thoughtfully curated, barrier-free travel experiences. As a wheelchair user with over 25 years in the travel industry, David brings invaluable firsthand insight to designing seamless journeys for travellers with limited mobility. Having explored 39 countries as both a wheelchair-using tourist and travel professional, he combines personal experience with deep industry knowledge to create trips that are not only accessible, but truly enriching and stress-free.
Dale Kilgour
Dale Kilgour is the Director of Camps and Recreation for BC Easter Seals, in which she oversees numerous disability camping programs across the province, serving nearly 1000 participants annually. Dale sits on both the Easter Seals National Camping Committee and the BC Camping Association Board, where she advises accreditation standards, accessibility, and safety best practices. Dale has worked in the field for over a decade and has an incredible passion for accessible recreation.
Marty Watts
Marty Watts is VP of Sales at Aira, where he’s part of a team tasked with growing enterprise partnerships and emerging services. Since joining in 2017, he has helped scale Aira’s Visual Interpreter service into major retail, transit, and financial environments, driving recurring revenue and expanding access for people who are blind or have low vision. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife, four kids, and a Brittany Spaniel named Murphy.
Cindy Atkinson
I started my journey as a certified aerobic instructor 35 years ago. 25 years ago I needed a change and went into the food and customer service industry. Talk about polar opposites. But were they? Today I am combining my love of how our bodies move with my love to serve people. Health is about more than the perfect diet and the best exercise routine. It's about finding the right movement for your body and lifestyle. FUNctional Fitness is about having fun, connecting with your body, your mind and your community.
Isla Coombs
Isla (eye-luh) Coombs is the HR Business Partner for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Interior Health, where she collaborates with teams to advance initiatives that foster inclusion, belonging, and accessibility across the organization. Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise as a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Isla is passionate about creating equitable and psychologically safe spaces for all.
She played a key role in establishing Interior Health’s inaugural Accessibility Committee and developing the Accessibility Plan, focused on identifying, removing, and preventing barriers to participation for people with disabilities. Isla approaches her work with curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to continuous learning, recognizing that accessibility is an ongoing journey as we work toward a more inclusive and accessible health-care environment for the communities we serve.
Based in Kelowna, Isla is a grateful guest on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx Okanagan Peoples. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her partner, Nicole, and their dog, Jasper, and exploring new hobbies, including home renovations and squash.