Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee

As the Chair of the Paralympic Foundation of Canada Board and member of the Board of Appeal of Classification of the International Paralympic Committee, Robert is a committed champion of accessibility for all and for Canada’s leadership within the Paralympic movement. A business executive and Canadian lawyer, he is president of Protection FER and GoLexGo, a group of companies supporting construction entrepreneurs, and acts as fractional COO of Brunet Group. He previously held senior leadership roles with the City of Montréal, including Senior Director of Corporate Affairs and General Secretary for a Reorganization Task Force. Robert has also been appointed Vice-Chair of Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

A Rhodes Scholar, Robert brings deep legal, policy, and operational expertise, strong governance experience, and a francophone perspective grounded in real-world decision-making.

With lived experience as an amputee and direct exposure to classification systems and tribunal processes, Robert brings clear, practical insight into how accessibility policies play out in real settings. He helps translate policy intent into implementable solutions that remove barriers, enable full participation, and reinforce the value accessibility delivers to individuals, organizations, and society.

Isabelle Ducharme is the President of the Board of Directors of Keroul, a nonprofit organization working on making tourism culture more accessible for all. She has developed expertise in accessibility and inclusion, which she applies by evaluating content, and by giving training and conferences, both locally and internationally. Isabelle holds a master’s degree in Tourism Management and Planning from Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

Combined with her professional experience, her personal experience of living with spinal cord injury and getting around in a motorized wheelchair, contributed to her being invited to take part in the development of important norms such as ISO/TC 228 Tourism and related services and Accessibility standards Canada CAN-ASC-2.1 Standard on Outdoor Spaces.

Isabelle is a member of Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Canadian Working Group on Mobility Aids of the Canadian Transportation Agency, as well as the Montréal Airport Community Advisory Committee. Her expertise in transport accessibility is also actively highlighted by her participation in Via Rail’s Advisory Committee on Universal Accessibility and as co-Chair of the Accessibility Committee of the International Association of Transportation Regulators.

Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA, is a distinguished advocate, author, and entrepreneur. With a law degree and an MBA under her belt, Donna has become a respected figure in both legal and business circles. Her expertise extends beyond law into cyber security, where she was honoured with the NoVA Coast Apex Cyber Security Scholarship in 2024. Donna’s outstanding contributions to advocacy and public service were recognized in 2022 when she received the prestigious Queen's Platinum Jubilee Award.

A published author and an engaging blogger, Donna is known for her dinner mystery novels and podcasts, exploring a range of topics from social justice to personal empowerment.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Donna is a chess enthusiast, and she also enjoys pottery, knitting, and playing the piano. When not working, Donna finds solace by the sea, appreciating the tranquility of the beach. Through her diverse passions and achievements, she continues to inspire and make a lasting impact on the world around her.

Paul Rogers’ mission is to help others experience the power and journey of transformation to find their inner passion and true purpose. Having lived in three different countries, he has had four careers, starting as a successful commercial lawyer in the UK, transitioning to a kitesurf instructor, then working as teacher on a Native Cree reserve and now, a life coach and transformational expert.

Paul has come through two tragedies that were both devastating and life changing. He is a cancer survivor and sustained severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) when he and his wife were involved in a motor accident with a train.

Paul’s commitment to raise education and advocacy for Canadians affected by Brain Injury has channeled his energy as a sought-after keynote speaker for many virtual summits, a director on Brain Injury Canada, and a member of Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory committee.

Joanne Smith is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, with a career focused on raising awareness and addressing the unique challenges they face.

Joanne collaborates with SCI Canada to promote a more equitable and accessible Canada. She also runs her own nutrition practice specializing in neurological conditions. She contributes as a nutrition columnist to Canadian/US disability-focused publications and has partnered with universities on research studies. In 2013, she co-authored Eat Well Live Well with Spinal Cord Injury, the first-ever nutrition book tailored to individuals with SCI. Her career also includes broadcast journalism as a reporter and producer at CBC and hosting two national television programs highlighting the stories of Canadians with disabilities, including the Gemini Award-winning Moving On.

Joanne has shared her expertise as a keynote speaker at prestigious conferences, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers across North America, including the Mayo Clinic Neuro-Rehabilitation Summit. She holds a degree in psychology (York University), diplomas in radio and television broadcasting (Seneca College) and nutrition (Institute of Holistic Nutrition).

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Joanne has been a mentor and volunteer for organizations such as the Lyndhurst Rehabilitation Center, Easter Seals, and The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons, demonstrating her deep commitment to empowering the disabled community.

Yat is an award-winning accessibility advocate and Associate Director at Open Door Group, with senior leadership experience across technology, communications, and policy-driven accessibility. As a Deaf and Hard of Hearing professional with lived experience of physical disability, he brings a critical perspective to advancing communication access, inclusive technology, and service design.

He is known for a strength-based leadership approach that positions accessibility as a driver of innovation. Yat was recently honoured with a Top 40 under 40 Award and has contributed to multiple provincial and federal initiatives, including the Realize Community Advisory Committee, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council Advisory Committee.

He has also advised at the municipal and regional levels through the City of Vancouver Disability Advisory Committee and TransLink’s User Advisory Committee. Outside of his work, Yat is also a self-proclaimed aviation enthusiast.

Jim is a leading Canadian voice on dementia and an author, researcher, and advocate who brings a critical and often underrepresented perspective on cognitive accessibility, informed by his lived experience with Alzheimer’s. He serves on the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia, contributing to the development of Canada’s National Dementia Strategy (2019), and is actively engaged to advance research and innovation in aging and accessibility.

Drawing on extensive advisory and governance experience, Jim strengthens inclusive approaches across service design, communications, and customer experience, particularly in addressing memory and cognitive accessibility.

His career spans executive leadership and aviation, including roles as CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of BC and Director of Government Affairs at Canadian Airlines/CP Air. By integrating policy, communications, and stakeholder expertise with lived experience, Jim champions a more inclusive society that recognizes the capabilities and contributions of people living with dementia.

A former CEO and Fortune 250 executive, and a past Top 40 under 40 honouree, Ben brings senior leadership experience across engineering, construction, and infrastructure, alongside lived experience as a wheelchair user and as a person with a spinal cord injury. With more than 25 years of executive leadership, including leading large-scale, complex businesses across North America, he is known for connecting with customers while driving operational efficiency, bottom-line growth, and a people-first culture. Shaped by his personal journey, Ben has a solution-focused, forward-looking mindset that helps teams anticipate obstacles and deliver under pressure.

A globally experienced leader and trusted advisor to boards and investors, Ben is known for leading high-stakes transformation and for building accountable, people-first cultures.

As founder of Bisco Solutions, Ben advises leaders on navigating change and delivering durable business results. He also hosts From Where I Sit, a podcast that explores the human side of leadership, bringing a practical, operationally grounded perspective that helps advance inclusive and sustainable experiences.

An accomplished Special Olympics athlete and advocate, Mélanie brings an important and often underrepresented perspective on cognitive accessibility, grounded in lived experience with hydrocephalus and Chiari malformation. Her disability also affects her balance and dexterity.

Through her community leadership and as a francophone, she brings meaningful contributions to discussions on accessible travel, service delivery, and technology.

Her work includes leadership within disability organizations, research collaboration with CAMH and the University of Toronto, and ongoing public speaking and mentorship. Mélanie is a respected voice advancing inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly within francophone communities, helping ensure accessibility efforts reflect real-world experience.