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​Marie Powell has been a dedicated CBE Administrative Assistant for 13 years. After work she has volunteered as a Special Olympics coach for 15 years, training athletes with intellectual disabilities to local, provincial and national levels of competition in both snowshoeing and track & field.

In December, she received Canada’s Coach of the Year award for the resiliency she demonstrated as a coach, including the creation of virtual training programs for athletes during the pandemic. Marie’s virtual training programs were so well received that a roll-out of similar programming for other sports was followed. Recently, Marie received the prestigious SONA (Special Olympics North America) Outstanding Coach of the Year Award for her progressive athlete and coach development.

Over her years as a Special Olympics coach Marie has positively impacted the lives of countless Special Olympics athletes, often receiving feedback about how they achieved levels they never could have imagined without her guidance and support. Marie is an advocate for inclusion. Her programs and coaching provide athletes with an opportunity to learn social and physical skills, teamwork and mental agility that benefit them outside of sport.

Congratulations Marie! We are proud of your achievements and celebrate you as a CBE employee.

​ Marie Powell recognized by Special Olympics Canada

​ Marie Powell working with Special Ol​ympics athletes​​