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
Liz Gosse is a Disability Awareness Trainer for the Ontario Disability Employment Network. Liz has worked with adult learners for over 10 years providing an inclusive, respectful learning environment and fostering a love of learning with others. She has experience working with and teaching people who have a disability and providing accommodations to ensure learners have the tools and knowledge to be successful in their learning journeys.
Liz is motivated to positively impact the lives of people who face barriers to education and employment. She is inspired to help make changes for her family members including her son who have a disability.
Bridgette Sterling
Disability Awareness Trainer
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.
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.