Meet the dedicated teams working behind the scenes to make the Games a success.

The success of any event hinges upon the collective effort and dedication of numerous individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes.

From the meticulous planning stages to the flawless execution, the combined skills, hard work, and diligent contributions of the individuals below and the over 1,500 volunteers are what transmute an event from a mere concept into a remarkable gathering. Whether in the limelight or working quietly behind the scenes, everyone is indispensable in ensuring the Games are a resounding success.

Games Organizing Committee - Executive

Cheryl Bernard

Co-Chair

François Poirier

Co-Chair

Carson Ackroyd

Kirsten Bobbie

Tom Davies

Sue Gilchrist

Leonka Kaluha

Carlee Savory

Games Organizing Committee - Staff

Karen Dommett

General Manager

Stavroula Kangles

Director

Cheryl Sundell

Director

Jordan Chabeniuk

Chris Dornan

Jack Duffy

Trish Zimmerman

Games Organizing Committee - Lead Volunteers

Matt Bourdot

Natacha Bordier

Kathy Ervin

Annie Goncin

Jeremiah Johnson

Steven Kwasny

Ryan Romero

James Shanahan

Dr. Ryan Shields

Fay Wisted

Athlete Ambassadors

presented by Pembina

Allie

Damion

Darby

Leonka

Siobhan

Land Acknowledgement

The Bow and Elbow rivers meet is a place of confluence where the sharing of ideas and opportunities naturally come together. February 2024, Calgary will be gathering place for more than 1,200 Special Olympics athletes from across Canada in their pursuit of sport excellence and connection. Indigenous peoples have their own names for this area that have been in use long before Scottish settlers named this place Calgary. The Métis call the Calgary area Otos-kwunee [“oh-tus-skwahnee”]. In the Blackfoot language, they call this place, Moh-kins-tsis [“mohk-kin-stis”]. The Îethka Stoney Nakoda Nation refer to the Calgary area as Wîchîspa Oyade [“win chee spa oy ah day”] and the people of the Tsuut’ina [“sut sinah”] nation call this area Guts-ists-i [“Goot-sits-say”]. We would like to acknowledge that the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 will be located on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. This includes: the Siksika [“sit-sicka”], Piikani [“peegun-ee”], and Kainai [“gay-nah”] collectively known as the Blackfoot Confederacy; the Îethka [“yitch ka”] Nakoda Wîcastabi [“wee che stahbi”] First Nations, comprised of the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Good Stoney Bands; and the Tsuut’ina [“sut sinah”] First Nation. The city of Calgary is also homeland to the historic Northwest Métis and to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3. We acknowledge all Indigenous urban Calgarians, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, who have made Calgary their home. We work, play and reside on this sacred gathering place and the Games will provides us with an opportunity to engage in and demonstrate leadership on reconciliation.