Meet Our 2025 Inclusion Ambassadors

Working to make our communities a safe an inclusive space.

Melissa Boisvenu

Melissa is a dedicated mom to two living children and one baby in the stars. She finds purpose in supporting women who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss, using social media and the power of community to foster connection and healing. As a full-time run coach, Melissa works with new runners looking to improve their mental health, postpartum moms returning to movement, and everyone in between. In addition to her coaching, Melissa works at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, where she helps bring groundbreaking pediatric research to life through storytelling. She currently calls Calgary home, where she is a lululemon ambassador and proudly serves on the board of directors at the Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre. You can find her toeing the line of any mountain ultra race!

We asked Mel a few questions, see her answers here:

What does inclusivity mean to you?

Inclusivity in the running space means creating a place where everyone feels like they belong and that they are seen and heard no matter their pace, background, experience level, or why they run. I’m passionate about welcoming people who might not see themselves represented in traditional running culture, whether you’re a beginner, postpartum, a parent trying to squeeze in runs after bedtime, or someone using running as a tool for mental health. I believe in breaking down barriers, keeping things approachable, and making running feel less intimidating. It's also my promise to make sure that every single person feels safe!

How can we make our running community more inclusive for everyone?

I think it's important that as a person of born privilege, it's essential that I do the hard work. That means taking the EDI training, training in Indigenous reconciliation and everything in-between. Our beautiful country is so diverse and that's what makes it so special. Creating an inclusive space for runners means fostering a safe environment for everyone, welcoming everyone and looking at barriers that people may face such as childcare, transportation, finances and accessibility.

What does belonging to a diverse community mean to you?

I'm part of the mom loss club, or what life looks like after you've experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Our community is filled with people from all walks of life and I am forever grateful for the people that I've connected with who have held me through my darkest days.

Sarah Itani

My name is Sarah. I am a native Calgarian who has been a back of the pack runner since high school. Running continues to be the space I come to for strength as it's a place where I measure health wins in gains and not losses.

What does inclusivity mean to you?

Inclusivity means that the space - whether it's physical or emotional - feels safe and accessible for all.

How can we make our running community more inclusive for everyone?

In having good conversation with people of varying backgrounds to understand their barriers to entry into the sport and then act an ally to support their inclusion.

What does belonging to a diverse community mean to you?

It is a joyous experience that allows us to grow together, learn from each other and result in more enriching experiences for all.

Gemma Newman

Gemma is a proud wife, mom to a teenager, and a fur baby. She is also a run coach at Motivated in Motion. Gemma is passionate about helping others access the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in running and beyond. Outside of coaching, you’ll often find her climbing summits or out on a run, two activities that have transformed her both mentally and physically. Running has given her the freedom to explore and a confidence she didn’t know she had.

What does inclusivity mean to you?

To me, inclusivity is about creating spaces where everyone, regardless of background, ability, or experience, feels welcomed and valued. It means making sure that everyone has the same opportunities to participate and succeed. In the world of running, for example, I believe in offering support and information so that all individuals, whether they're just starting out or are seasoned athletes. Everyone should have access to the resources they need. Everyone deserves to feel that they belong, and inclusivity is the key to making that happen.

How can we make our running community more inclusive for everyone?

We can make our community more inclusive by ensuring that all voices are heard and that no one feels left out or overlooked. This can be as simple as creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to come together and learn from one another. In our running community, that might mean offering different levels of support, providing accessible resources, or simply fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to show up and do their best. We need to keep challenging ourselves to listen, learn, and be open to the needs of others.

What does belonging to a diverse community mean to you?

Belonging to a diverse community means feeling seen and appreciated for who you are, regardless of where you come from or what challenges you face. It’s about finding strength in our differences and realizing that diversity is something to be celebrated, not feared. A diverse community opens up new perspectives and opportunities for growth, and it makes us all stronger, wiser, and more empathetic. Being part of such a community has not only expanded my worldview but has also helped me become more confident in myself and my abilities.

Meet Our 2024 Inclusion Ambassadors

Working to make our communities a safe an inclusive space.

Kyle Agapi (Young Pine)

Kyle Young Pine (Agapi), a proud member of the Nitistapii (Blackfoot) from the Kainai First Nations Blood Tribe, is a passionate advocate for cultural awareness and recovery. As a Lululemon ambassador, motivational speaker, and educator, Kyle dedicates his efforts to empowering youth and fostering understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

With over a decade of personal recovery experience, Kyle is deeply committed to educating others about overcoming addiction and trauma. He firmly believes that the keys to successful sobriety lie in embracing one's culture, fostering community connections, and leading an Indigenous life. An avid skateboarder, Kyle also promotes skateboarding as a powerful platform for youth to connect with their roots and express their identity in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Kiera Verbonac

Kiera is an avid runner and triathlete. She has been doing triathlons since 2019, prior to that she was a runner for about 8 years ranging from 5ks to a 50k. She wanted to find another challenge to conquer and add more cross training. After she completed her first triathlon, she was hooked! She has done numerous triathlons from a sprint to an Ironman!

Kiera is also deaf and wears a cochlear implant. She has never let her deafness limit herself and stop her from day to day life. Kiera grew up playing fastball and was a competitive figure skater.

Janelle Brade

As someone who has faced significant mental health challenges and bullying, Janelle understands the importance of support and inclusivity. Her personal struggles led her to discover the therapeutic power of running, eventually inspiring Janelle to become a running coach.

Now, she's dedicated to building an inclusive running community where everyone, regardless of pace or experience, feels welcomed and supported. Through all-pace, no-drop community runs and affordable run coaching, She aim to create a space where everyone can thrive and find solace in running, just as she did.