Arnetia Chin, CHRL, serves as senior director, human resources at Abilities Centre. She joined the organization in 2016 as a placement student and has since risen through the organization to her current role.

In her role, Chin oversees the strategic direction of all human resources functions at Abilities Centre while guiding the operational implementation of people strategies. She also leads the Training and Education department, which delivers accessibility consulting services, including training sessions, facility audits, and organizational self-assessments, to organizations, municipalities, and school boards across the region.

Chin holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), with a major in Global Management and a minor in Organizational Leadership. She also holds a Human Resources Graduate Certificate from Durham College and is a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) through the Human Resources Professionals Association.

An immigrant and first-generation Canadian, Chin brought a person-centered approach to Human Resources from the outset of her career at Abilities Centre. Since rising from coordinator to senior director, she has worked to redefine the employee and candidate experience and to reimagine Human Resources policies and procedures so they are inclusive and accessible by design, not as an afterthought. She extends that commitment beyond the organization as a member of the Durham College HR Program Advisory Committee and through her investment in future HR professionals via quality field placements, encouraging the next generation of practitioners to go beyond AODA compliance.

Larissa Mankis serves as the director of sport and recreation at Abilities Centre, overseeing the Academy for Student Athlete Development (A.S.A.D.), Therapeutic Recreation and Physical Literacy, and Inclusion and Recreation.

Mankis began her career in sport management in 2012, working across professional, provincial, and university sport organizations, including the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, Rugby Ontario, and Queen’s University, before joining Abilities Centre. She holds a master’s degree in sport management.

In her role, Mankis is focused on creating opportunities for people to experience sport, recreation, and social connection in an environment that is inclusive, welcoming, and fun for everyone involved.

She is driven by a lifelong love of sport and the community it builds. Mankis believes sport offers a rare opportunity to celebrate everyone who takes part, honour the passion people bring to it, and build the confidence that comes with belonging.

Meagan Marques serves as interim senior director, grants and programs at Abilities Centre, providing strategic leadership for the organization’s Thrive Adult Day program, Employment and Community Services, Health Maintenance, and Research and Grants departments.

Marques has been with Abilities Centre since 2019. A Registered Kinesiologist, she holds a Master of Health Sciences degree and is currently completing her doctoral degree in medical science. She brings more than 12 years of experience in health research, program evaluation, and knowledge mobilization, with a career-long focus on using evidence-informed approaches to strengthen programs, demonstrate impact, and translate research into meaningful action for individuals and communities.

Marques is deeply passionate about creating inclusive environments where people can discover their strengths and achieve their goals. She believes that combining innovation, evidence, and lived experience is key to building programs that create lasting and meaningful impact.

Michael Cvitkovic was named president and chief executive officer of Abilities Centre on January 16, 2024. Cvitkovic has been a fixture of the Canadian sports scene since the late 1990s, helping build some of the most successful sport and recreation brands in our country, including the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, Tennis Canada, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and most recently, launching the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) since its inception in 2019.

He has also provided leadership to underserved communities while bringing greater awareness to sport within Truth & Reconciliation as the General Manager of the successful 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto. A proud supporter of parasport, Cvitkovic was the Press Chief for Team Canada at the 2010 Paralympic Games. During his career, Cvitkovic has successfully produced award-winning marketing and communication campaigns, balanced multi-million-dollar budgets, and worked with community partners, stakeholders, and staff to create unique and inclusive environments for members of the community through sports and recreation.

Zed Pickering serves as the director of partnerships and revenue at Abilities Centre.

Pickering’s career began in public relations and marketing, supporting sales teams before he moved into business development and sales roles, most recently within the food and beverage industry, where he learned that strong relationships are at the heart of every successful experience. He brings that same people-first approach to partnership development at Abilities Centre, building relationships with donors, sponsors, and community partners to secure the resources that advance accessibility, inclusion, and opportunity for people of all abilities.

He has also brought that relationship-driven approach to public service, having served as a Town Councillor and Deputy Mayor, where he saw firsthand the impact that thoughtful planning and inclusive opportunities can have on people’s lives.

Building a more equitable community has been a lifelong mission for Pickering, one grounded in the belief that when accessibility is the goal, everyone benefits, and that communities where all people can participate, contribute, and thrive don’t just improve life for some, they enhance life for all.