Meet the OCTC Team

Amy Widdows

Director of Corporate Engagement & Training

Amy is a committed connector who is passionate about inclusive employment and using collaboration, relationship development and capacity building as tools to increase employment opportunities for people who have disabilities. She is a strong support professional, skilled in Non-profit Organization Management, Inclusive Employment, Social Enterprise, Community Development and Disabilities. Amy brings a breadth of over 20 years of knowledge and experience to the team working in Management roles in both not for profit Developmental Service Organizations as well as private sector Professional Employment Services.

Amy’s vision for an inclusive Ontario is what guides her to break down barriers and discover people’s gifts and talent.

Liz Gosse

Senior Disability Awareness Trainer

Liz is a dedicated Disability Awareness Trainer with extensive experience in curriculum development, training facilitation, and fostering inclusive environments for diverse populations. In her current role at ODEN, she partners with businesses to promote disability-inclusive hiring practices through impactful training and tailored supports.

With over 13 years of experience in the non-profit sector, she has excelled in creating innovative programs and resources, empowering individuals through literacy, digital skills, employment readiness, and accessibility-focused education. Her expertise includes curriculum design, adult learning strategies, and leveraging technology to deliver accessible and engaging training solutions.

A passionate advocate for community inclusion, Liz demonstrates exceptional leadership and collaboration skills through her professional roles and community involvement. She actively works to build partnerships, empower individuals, and drive meaningful change that benefits both businesses and the communities they serve.

Bridgette Sterling

Disability Awareness Trainer

Bridgette is an educator and design thinker specializing in employee training and DEI.

She has extensive experience designing and implementing employee development programs across corporate, startup, small business, non-profit, and higher education environments. During her time in higher education, her work contributed to thousands of diverse students, including students who have a disability, successfully securing their first career roles. Bridgette also holds a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University, where she focused her studies on strategies to advance youth mental health and inclusion in Sport. Prior to her time in learning roles, Bridgette spent several years in the tech sector driving operational efficiency through business strategy, process design and technology management.

Passionate about scaling measurable impact, Bridgette blends her unique experience in supporting job seekers, DEI education, and deep understanding of business requirements to move the needle toward workplace inclusion that lasts the test of time.

Kiersten Smith

Disability Awareness Trainer

Kiersten Smith is a passionate advocate for inclusive employment with a diverse background in educational, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. Her expertise spans training and development, program coordination, curriculum development, and the facilitation of strong community partnerships. Currently serving as a Disability Awareness Trainer with the OCTC Team at ODEN, she is enthusiastic about increasing disability inclusion in Ontario’s workforce.

Previously, Kiersten has successfully led several pre-employment and skills development programs in the non-profit sector empowering adult learners through education and skill development. Kiersten holds a degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilfrid Laurier University and certifications in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies. She is committed to fostering accessible, inclusive workplaces through training, community partnerships, and advocacy.

Cristin O’Sullivan

Disability Awareness Trainer

Cristin O’Sullivan is a seasoned professional with more than two decades of expertise in the social services sector. Her career has focused primarily on providing employment support, enhancing educational access, and fostering community development initiatives. Cristin is firmly committed to continuous learning and inclusivity principles. She is dedicated to crafting sustainable opportunities that empower individuals and communities, ultimately driving meaningful and lasting positive change in society. Her passion for helping others is reflected in her innovative, collaborative efforts with various organizations to address social challenges and promote equitable access to resources.

Cristin is a proud mother to one biological son and four stepsons and is now excited to welcome grandbabies. She gave her son the ultimate gift of life by donating a portion of her liver and now participates in the Canada and World Transplant Games, celebrating resilience and life-changing connections.

Pawrnaa Perinpanayagam

Marketing and Communications

Pawrnaa Perinpanayagam is the Communications & Marketing Coordinator for the Ontario Corporate Training Centre team at the Ontario Disability Employment Network. Driven by her passion for people and an inclusive community, Pawrnaa is eager to establish OCTC’s presence within the community.

Pawrnaa possesses a wealth of experience in marketing, spanning across healthcare, non-profit, and small businesses. She has spearheaded the creation and implementation of numerous campaigns that have consistently grown a brand’s presence online. Pawrnaa is looking forward to finding the balance between traditional and digital marketing efforts within her role.

In her spare time, Pawrnaa enjoys sipping on a hot cup of tea while diving deep into a true-crime series and trying out new fitness classes such as Brazilian Ji-Jitsu and dance. She also is Master of Ceremonies for weddings, receptions and birthday parties and enjoys making others laugh.

Kimberly Chan

Administrative Coordinator

Kim Chan (she/her) is the Administrative Coordinator for the Ontario Corporate Training Centre team at the Ontario Disability Employment Network. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and Sociology from the University of Toronto and has worked for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Previously, Kim has assisted with providing professional development programming to independent artists and arts professionals to help them build sustainable careers in the Canadian music industry. She brings her deep knowledge of social sciences and administrative experience to her role.

Driven by her passion for social equity, Kim approaches her work and personal life with an intersectional and anti-oppressive framework that she developed through her years in academia and the non-profit sector. She is deeply committed to her values of accessibility, inclusion, and community.

In her free time, Kim enjoys watching movies and attempting new baking recipes for her family and friends to try.