EMPLOYED PARTNER

Gail Kesslar, is an Applied Research, Business Development Officer. With over 20 years of project management and administration experience. Known for her relationship building skills and her ability to collaborate, Kesslar is also known for her ability to ideate and activate projects from the ground up. With extensive experience in managing both projects and diverse teams, she also brings added value to projects through her communications and marketing expertise. A former Project Manager of Research and Academic Innovation’s Autism CanTech! project, and a Project Director for both the VR Soft Skills Training, and Unity Higher Ed XR Grant, she sees and values Applied Research as a powerful tool that can help both community organizations and industry to solve challenges while simultaneously elevating individuals from equity-seeking groups.

PARTNERSHIP BROKER

Shauna is currently the Director of Community Supports at Skills Society. She has worked in the non-profit sector for the past 14 years in various roles including front line, supervisory, director of social innovation and Vice President. She led a full company wide implementation of Human Centered Design as a service delivery model and had the opportunity to lead and be part of a number of startups over the last 10+ years. 

Shauna is currently serving as the partnership broker for Edmonton’s Pan Disability Connection (PDC), a network of businesses, service providers, academics and self advocates working together to eliminate systemic barriers to employment for people with disabilities. She also serves on the Albert Employment First Network (AEFN) interim advisory board. Shauna believes that using a collective and collaborative approach is key to creating meaningful impact and change in our communities.

Shauna is a transformational leader who is passionate about leadership, innovation and challenging the status quo. She values trust, teamwork, kindness, openness, continuous learning, risk taking and having fun.

AGENCY PARTNER

Mabel Adebowale is a dedicated and equity-driven program manager with over seven years of experience in social services, specializing in disability support. For the past two years, she has led Prospect Edmonton’s Disability Services programs, which include the Persons with Disabilities Programs and the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program. With a proven ability to design and implement impactful initiatives, Mabel excels at guiding teams as they support clients in navigating the workforce and pursuing entrepreneurial goals.

Mabel’s extensive background also includes managing Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs for individuals with disabilities and addictions, as well as overseeing a Supported Independent Living Program (SIL)  for youth transitioning to adulthood. She has consistently focused on addressing complex barriers, creating pathways to stability and independence, and empowering individuals to achieve sustainable success.

Her commitment to innovation shines through her ability to identify unique opportunities for clients, such as connecting them with resources for self-employment and entrepreneurship. By fostering collaboration, building partnerships, and advocating for equity, Mabel ensures her programs deliver meaningful, client-centered outcomes.

With a strategic and compassionate approach, Mabel excels in program development, leadership, and advocacy. Her deep knowledge of disability services, combined with her passion for creating lasting impact, positions her as a leader capable of driving transformative initiatives in the social services sector.

SERVICE PROVIDER PARTNER

Allison Leigh is a very dedicated leader who believes in putting fun into work. Her passion is finding people’s unique skills and talents and supporting them to use those abilities to achieve their goals. Allison has a BSc in Sociology and has worked with people with disabilities with a focus on employment for almost 20 years.

Allison is passionate about finding innovative ways to support people. She is a relator and stimulates those around her to achieve their best. Allison demonstrates this in her work as the Employment Specialist at Chrysalis.

When not at work, Allison enjoys relaxing with her husband, 2 adult children and her cat. She is an avid Edmonton Oilers fan and never misses a Formula 1 race.

SERVICE PROVIDER PARTNER

For the past 8 years, I’ve been making a difference at Winder Inclusive Communities as an Employment Facilitator and Support Specialist. My passion lies in helping our customers find fulfilling employment that aligns with their interests. I go beyond simply finding a job – I focus on job carving, creating customized positions that leverage their unique strengths.

This approach has been instrumental in achieving a 100% placement rate for the individuals I support. Some have even landed not just one, but two, three, or even four jobs! My dedication has been recognized through several awards, and I’m honored to have an award named after me.

My support extends beyond employment. I empower people with developmental disabilities to live their best lives, whether it’s achieving independence, fostering social connections, or simply navigating daily activities. Through my work, I’ve learned that disabilities don’t define people – they simply represent different ways of learning and experiencing the world.

EMPLOYED PARTNERS

Kylie Dwyer is a Talent Diversity Consultant at the City of Edmonton with over 9 years of talent acquisition experience in the public sector, including previous roles at Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta. She specializes in inclusive hiring, and educating organizational leaders to increase capacity to recruit and retain equity-deserving groups in the workforce, including people with disabilities.

 Kylie is passionate about employment equity and showing organizations the countless benefits of inclusive hiring. She believes that a commitment to inclusion and removing barriers to employment are critically important because they are the best ways to improve business outcomes, raise intelligence quotients for teams, and futureproof organizations. Kylie’s work is driven by years of experience collaborating with nonprofit organizations, service providers, employers, and advocates to develop strategies and solutions.

 Kylie graduated from MacEwan University with a degree in Sociology, and holds a certificate in Human Resources and Labour Relations, as well as her CPHR designation. She is currently completing her master’s degree in equity studies.