Inclusion doesn’t happen by standing still. It happens when we evolve together.
At CNIB, we’re strengthening governance, amplifying community voices, and embracing data and storytelling to shape the future of inclusion in Canada.
Why this matters
For people who are blind, Deafblind, or have low vision, access to information is not a luxury. It’s the foundation of independence, employment, and connection. I know this not only as a CEO, but as a daughter who has watched her father navigate a world designed without him in mind. That experience taught me what true accessibility means long before I stepped into this role.
Across North America, equity, diversity, and inclusion are under renewed pressure.
- In the U.S., attacks on inclusion are happening openly.
- In Canada, the shift is quieter, but make no mistake, it’s happening.
Some organizations that once proudly championed accessibility are stepping away. Fortunately, others are coming forward for the first time, realizing that inclusion isn’t just a social responsibility. It’s an economic and moral imperative.
That’s why CNIB’s evolution isn’t optional. It’s urgent.
To lead effectively in this changing landscape, we must strengthen governance, embed community voices in leadership, and harness data and storytelling to drive systemic change. Our recent leadership appointments were made with this exact purpose in mind.
Evolving leadership for a new era
To meet the growing complexity of inclusion work in Canada, we need leaders who understand both the lived realities of sight loss and the structural levers that drive change.
This year, we welcomed:
- Jane Muir Savidant, as Board Chair, bringing both lived experience within the blind and low vision community and deep expertise in governance and communications.
- Tim Murphy, as Vice Chair, offering strategic leadership in law, infrastructure, and public service, and a personal commitment to accessibility.
Their combined insight is deliberate, not symbolic.
Jane ensures our decisions are grounded in community realities. Tim ensures those insights translate into policy, partnerships, and systemic change.
Together, they strengthen CNIB’s capacity to lead through this critical moment. To not only respond to challenges, but to shape the national agenda on inclusion.
Evolving how we tell our story and measure progress
[Alt text: From left to right: Anil Arora, and Jennifer Bromley.]
We’ve also expanded our executive team to address two other urgent gaps: the need for credible data and a stronger national voice.
- Anil Arora, Chief Data Officer, joins us to make CNIB Canada’s trusted source for blindness-related data. A foundation for evidence-based advocacy and equitable funding.
- Jennifer Bromley, Chief Marketing Officer, joins to elevate our voice across the country, ensuring Canadians understand both the challenges facing our community and the solutions that drive independence and inclusion.
These appointments reflect a simple truth: we can’t change what we don’t understand, and we can’t inspire action if we don’t tell the story well.
Data and storytelling aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They are essential tools for accountability, understanding, and progress.
Listening first, acting with purpose
When I stepped into this role a year ago, I made one promise: to listen before leading.
I’ve spent the past year hearing from people across the country, in kitchens, community centres, and meeting halls, about what inclusion means in their daily lives. Those conversations made one thing clear: lasting impact requires courage, collaboration, and constant evolution. That’s exactly what this new leadership team represents, a collective commitment to evolve boldly, grounded in the realities of our community.
So, what now?
The future of inclusion in Canada depends on how courageously we choose to evolve today.
At CNIB, we are pairing:
- Community insight with strong governance
- Data with storytelling
- Empathy with innovation
But this work is bigger than any one organization. Real change will come when leaders, partners, and communities move forward together, committed to building a Canada where accessibility and equity are not aspirations, but realities.
Join us on this journey at cnib.ca.