March of Dimes Canada Changemaker Awards

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​ Changemaker Awards - a smiling face facing the front and another looking to the side

​March of Dimes Canada’s Changemaker Awards celebrate the remarkable achievements and contributions being made by people and organizations who have made a profound impact in the lives of people with disabilities.

Now in its fifth year, the Changemaker Awards shine a spotlight on those who champion equity, empower ability, and drive transformative change through innovation, collaboration, action, and advocacy. 

Winners will be celebrated at March of Dimes Canada’s (MODC) signature gala, the Changemake​rs Supper Club, on October 14, 2026 in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York.​

This wonderful evening will be filled with celebration, inspiration, and the chance to network with like-minded people who share a passion for creating positive change.

Read on for details about award categories.​



​Congratulations to this year's Changemakers Award winners! 


Winners will be celebrated at March of Dimes Canada’s signature gala, the Changemake​rs Supper Club, on October 14, 2026 in Toronto at the Fairmont Royal York.

2026 Disability Changemaker of the Year​


David Lepofsky​David Lepofsky


David Lepofsky is a retired lawyer and one of Canada’s most influential disability rights advocates.

David was an active figure in the campaign to include disability as a protected ground in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the early 1980s and successfully advocated for the Ontarians with Disabilities Act in 2001, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in 2005, and the Accessible Canada Act in 2017.

He’s chair of the AODA Alliance, a Member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario, has received four honourary doctorates, and holds visiting disability rights appointments at three law schools in Ontario.

In 2025, David partnered with Accessible Media Inc as host of “Disability Rights, and Wrongs: The David Lepodcast,” a series featuring conversations with disability advocates.

He also launched human rights challenges against the Toronto Transit Commission that led to audible announcements at all bus, subway, and streetcar stops in the city.
 
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2026 Volunteer Changemaker of the Year​


Kimberly HowattKimberly Howatt


Kim Howatt is a leading member and mentor within March of Dimes Canada’s Disability Advocacy Network (DAN) and recently helped co-create our disability confidence training for staff and volunteers, pushing for materials that reflect the real-world experiences of people with disabilities.

She brings professional expertise and living experience of disability to everything she does, drawing on her knowledge of financial programs and her time working in government to support peers and advocate for greater financial independence and autonomy.

Kim recruits new DAN members from across the Atlantic provinces, including people who ​don’t instinctively see themselves as activists, and helps people gain the skills and confidence they need to advocate for themselves and others.

She’s the first person to offer her time and energy in support of her community, leading with empathy and understanding.
 

2026 Changemaker Award for Lifetime Achievement​


Scott BeckettScott Beckett​


Scott Beckett has led March of Dimes Canada’s signature fundraising event since 2012: first as co-chair and chair of the Abilities & Beyond Dinner and then as chair and a leading member of the Changemakers’ Supper Club organizing committee.

Volunteer committees under Scott’s leadership have raised more than $1.5 million to fund programs and services that support people with disabilities across Canada. Those funds helped build our Tech for Impact program, a multi-sensory therapy room, our early childhood education program Move Learn Grow, and inclusive art and music classes for kids with disabilities.

Scott has attracted new corporate partners and secured multi-year commitments that support our fundraising activities, raising our profile with business leaders, policy makers, and government representatives.

His commitment to allyship and community has helped grow the programs we deliver and made it easier for people with disabilities, families, and caregivers to access the services they need.​
 

2026 Community Changemaker of the Year​


Canadian Centre for Caregiving ExcellenceCanadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence​​


​The Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence (CCCE) is Canada’s leading organization dedicated to supporting family caregivers and paid care providers. Founded by the Azrieli Foundation, CCCE takes a lifespan approach to care that treats caregivers and the people they support as partners within the same system, recognizing the true value of this important work and reinforcing the autonomy of people with disabilities.

Their persistent advocacy has united community groups, governments, researchers, sector leaders, and people with lived experience across Canada in support of a National Caregiving Strategy and brings people together through initiatives such as the National Care Champions Table and the Canadian Caregiving Summit.

This year, our public affairs and advocacy team received funding from the Azrieli Foundation and CCCE to survey caregivers and create training resources aimed at improving access to the Disability Tax Credit and other supports, including the Canada Disability Benefit.

CCCE’s commitment to improving care through real actions and community building has made Canada more inclusive and accessible.​
 
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2026 Corporate Changemaker of the Year​


ScotiabankScotiabank


​For close to three decades, Scotiabank has partnered with March of Dimes Canada to support programs and services that help people with disabilities live, learn, work, and participate more fully in their communities. This support has included sponsorship of the Changemakers’ Supper Club and other initiatives that reflect our shared commitment to accessibility and inclusion.

Through its partnership with March of Dimes Canada on Paving the Path to Work, Scotiabank is helping expand virtual programming for youth and young adults with disabilities. The program supports participants in building confidence, strengthening employment skills, and taking meaningful steps toward work and greater financial security.

Scotiabank’s commitment to accessibility is reflected in its Accessibility Plan, which focuses on removing barriers and creating more accessible and inclusive experiences for employees, clients, and communities. Through ongoing collaboration, the Bank continues to advance accessibility across its operations and services.

Through ScotiaRISE, Scotiabank’s 10-year, $500 million community investment initiative, the Bank promotes economic resilience by addressing barriers to education, employment, and opportunity. Together with community partners such as March of Dimes Canada, Scotiabank is supporting pathways to greater inclusion, financial confidence, and long-term success for people with disabilities.


​How winners were selected 


Winners of our 2026 Changemaker Awards were selected by a committee comprising members of MODC’s Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team.

Each nomination was reviewed and individually scored by all committee members, and winners confirmed in July / August. 

Questions about the nominations process? Send an email to awardscommittee@marchofdimes.ca  


Join us as we honour the remarkable achievements of our winners and acknowledge the collective effort to shape a more inclusive future. Together, we can make a difference!

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