Celebrating Women in Leadership: Meet the Leadership Team Behind Special Olympics Team Canada 2025

At the forefront of Special Olympics Team Canada's 2025 journey are Chef de Mission, Charity Sheehan, and Assistant Chef de Mission, Juli Prokopchuk Brattan. Both women reprised their roles from Special Olympics Team Canada 2022, determined to finish what they started.

Sheehan, a cornerstone of Special Olympics in Canada, has been involved in the movement since 1997 and currently serves as the Executive Director of Special Olympics PEI. With extensive experience from three previous World Games as Mission Staff, she brings a deep understanding of team leadership and sport philosophy. “All my experiences in sport, especially with Special Olympics, have shaped my approach to leadership,” she says. Her greatest strength? A natural ability to connect with people, empowering them to contribute their expertise for the collective success of the team. For Sheehan, Turin represents an opportunity to create a meaningful, enriching experience for everyone involved.

Prokopchuk Brattan, a widely respected figure in the Special Olympics community, began her journey in 1995. Having worked with multiple Special Olympics Chapters before leading the Major Games portfolio at Special Olympics Ontario, she has long been dedicated to expanding opportunities for athletes. “I never want to leave anyone behind, so I always make sure every single position is filled,” she shares, underscoring her commitment to inclusivity and athlete development.

Sheehan and Prokopchuk Brattan also served as Chef and Assistant Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team Canada 2022—the longest-serving team in the program’s history. They led a dedicated group of athletes, coaches, and mission staff through years of uncertainty, only for the team to ultimately never get their moment on the world stage. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, Canada ultimately made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Kazan, Russia. The emotional toll on the team was immense.

“We were all heartbroken,” recalls Prokopchuk Brattan. “It was a mix of emotions, but ultimately, we knew it was the right decision.”

Sheehan echoes the sentiment, describing it as “one of the toughest roles I’ve ever had,” carrying an immense sense of responsibility for the athletes, coaches, and mission staff. However, the team was able to gather in June 2022 for a training camp in Toronto, giving them a chance to say goodbye in person and celebrate their journey together. “I am most proud of how we left that weekend,” Sheehan reflects. “The team knew they were celebrated, and that their journey wasn’t for nothing.”

Now, Sheehan and Prokopchuk Brattan have the opportunity to see the journey through to the end. “It’s a privilege to be able to pick up where we left off,” says Sheehan. “This time, we’ve made it all the way to Turin.”

Joining Sheehan and Prokopchuk Brattan are Karen Dommett and Kirsten Bobbie, the two Games Managers supporting Special Olympics Team Canada 2025. Dommett brings firsthand experience from her role as General Manager of the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games 2024, while Bobbie has spent over a decade working in the movement, beginning as an intern with a Special Olympics Chapter before leading National Team operations as the Director of Sport and Competitions at Special Olympics Canada. Their complementary strengths round out a powerhouse leadership team.

“Karen has a holistic approach to community and team building,” says Sheehan, while “Kirsten brings extensive knowledge from the Chapter level and is always thoughtful and pragmatic in her approach.”

While the all-women leadership team of Special Olympics Team Canada 2025 wasn’t intentional, it speaks volumes about the depth of female leadership within Special Olympics Canada. Across the country, 60-70% of Special Olympics volunteers are women, and their impact has been growing for decades.

“We’ve been building female leadership for years,” says Prokopchuk Brattan. “Special Olympics Team Canada 2025 is the culmination of many years of incredible women shaping this organization.”

Sheehan and Prokopchuk Brattan also take immense pride in working together again. “Charity is a legend in this organization,” says Prokopchuk Brattan. “Her perseverance, inclusivity, and leadership style make her an incredible person to work alongside.”

Now in Turin, Sheehan and Prokopchuk Brattan continue to lead the team with a simple but powerful message for the athletes:

“You have already achieved great success,” says Sheehan. “Continue to work hard, believe in yourself, and more success will follow.”

Prokopchuk Brattan adds, “As you dedicate your time to competition, don’t forget to enjoy the movement and support one another. This journey is about more than just medals—it’s about the lifelong friendships and memories you’ll create along the way.”

As we honour International Women’s Day, their leadership is a reminder of the incredible women shaping the future of sport and inclusion in Canada.

Let the Games begin!