The Board of Directors for Special Olympics Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Gail Hamamoto to the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective September 15th, 2023.
Gail joins Special Olympics Canada with over 30 years of experience in and on the field of Sport. A passionate advocate for equity in sport for athletes with a disability, for the last 11 years, Gail served as the Executive Director of BC Wheelchair Sports Association.
Gail is also currently the Vice-President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and is CPC’s representative on the Board of the 2010 Games Operating Trust, stewarding the financial legacy from the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In addition, Gail serves on the Board of World Wheelchair Rugby and was co-chair for the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships and chairs the Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament held every two years at the Richmond Olympic Oval.
Gail has organized multiple national and international events in wheelchair rugby, tennis, and athletes, focused on creating legacies that include increased awareness, school programs, equipment, communications, and sport development.
Finally, Gail was the co-creator of the Bridging the Gap Program that removes barriers to participation in sport for individuals with disabilities, supporting their ongoing participation and was leading the development and implementation of the Indigenous Bridging the Gap Program. Gail also currently serves on the Board of OneAbility, the Greater Victoria Collaborative for Adapted Sport and Physical Activity.
Gail holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University.
The SOC Board of Directors is thrilled to have Gail join Special Olympics Canada and looks forward to work alongside her in supporting athlete growth and development in Canada.