MEZAUN EVIN

With over 35 years as a leader in the disability sector, community development, social empowerment, and diversity inclusion have been my focus. I have exceptional insight and unique lived experience that allows me to drive disability innovative transformation to impact the health and well-being of those living with disability. Lead a collaborative initiative that influences policy and decision making to enrich and support the lives of those living with a disability. A passionate catalyst for change, I am deeply motivated to deliver on program innovations and organizational change to "make a positive difference for others." An energizing public speaker and a recognized diversity advocate who builds dynamic teams and motivates others, organizes collaborations, and networks, creating bold change for people of all abilities. Above anything, I am most passionate about sharing my lived experience, with deep specialization in inclusion and diversity, to improve health, social, and economic outcomes for persons with disabilities and strengthening and empowering the communities they live.

Initiate, lead and support the CPAA/CAN efforts to align and complement key stakeholder public policy positions and strategies,

• Identify strategies to engage the sector in public policy input, Election campaigns awareness and other timely concerns,
• Provide resources and advice to Government on challenges affecting persons with disabilities,
• Monitor news media and government sources for potential changes in regulatory and legislative areas to ensure CPAA/CAN reacts effectively and advises its members of the resulting impacts,
• Provide interviews and responses to the media regarding clients emerging issues, Supports clients in their own lobbying efforts through advice and by opening doors with elected officials and civil servants,
• Attend Municipal and Provincial Government Committee meetings that relate to disabilities and tracks legislation that is relevant to the sector,
• Assist with writing of Policy briefs on initiatives that affect the sector, Maintain and enhance the profile of the association among Government audiences and provide competent liaison to Government, affiliated organizations, and other stakeholders, Organize, participatory research, dialogue, and methodologies to promote collaborative in the sector,
• Responsible for monitoring activities of government in relation to disability issues,
• Represent CPAA at local and international meetings and conferences
• Oversee all of Alberta Ability Network activities,
• Provide proactive leadership on issues affecting cerebral palsy and related disabilities to Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments, affiliated organizations and community stakeholders,
• Oversee and ensure the identification of new and emerging issues through community consultations, Develop and champion policy proposals in keeping with the Cerebral Palsy Association in Alberta’s strategic plan,
• Communicate with a variety of government officials and community stakeholders in a succinct, effective manner to further the interests of persons with disabilities,
• Establish positive relationships with elected officials and civil servants for the purpose of the education and awareness and call to action on disability issues,
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to enable policy development and legislation to support emerging gaps in services to persons with disabilities

• Oversee the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and services in alignment with funders such as United Way and Calgary Foundation
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by the CPAA contribute to the organization's mission and reflect the priorities of the Board
• Ensure all programs, services, materials and initiatives are reflective of and accessible to the diverse communities that we serve,
• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization's programs and services
• Initiates, manages, evaluates reports back on Program/Support Services funding
• Makes referrals to community and health resources as required
• With client consent, consults with partners in care service plans to ensure shared understanding of client needs and appropriate interventions/services to meet those needs
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of the programs and services of the CPAA to maintain/improve quality
• Develop strong working relationships with Programs Facilitators and Contractors
• Interview and recommend the hiring of Programs staff, supervise assigned staff, carry out performance appraisals, direct the training and development of staff and carry out disciplinary actions
• Support Programs staff in developing work plans that reflect the changing needs of the community and the priorities established in our strategic plan,
• Assist program staff with priority setting and strategies to maximize resources, Communicate information, resolve problems and responds to the concerns of Programs staff and Programs volunteer in his/her area of responsibility,
• Work with Universities and other Educational Institutions to secure Practicum students, provide training, support and authorize learning plans

• United Cerebral Palsy, 2005
• Milan, Italy, 2008
• TASH Spokane, 2013
• TASH, Chicago, 2014
• Albertans with Disabilities Edmonton, 2017
• Alberta Association of Immigrant Services - Calgary, 2018
• Immigration and Refugee Settlement Services, 2018
• Community Development Learning Initiative Calgary, 2019
• Voices of Albertans, 2019
• Kids Brain Health Calgary, 2020

• City of Calgary Community Advocate Award, 2004
• Developmental Disability Resource Centre Inclusion Award, 2011
• International Day for Persons with Disabilities Leadership Award, 2014
• Civil Rights Award, 2018