DANA POWELL

Dana Powell is the Communications Coordinator for the Canadian Health and Fitness Institute and podcast co-host for the Let’s Move Canada Podcast. Dana is involved in CHFI projects in many ways including website design, graphic design, social media, event planning and content creation. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and enjoys skiing, snowboarding and cycling.

As a podcast host, Dana has interviewed many prominent Canadian athletes and health and wellness professionals including; Nathan Clement, Paralympian Silver Medalist, Paris 2024; Aleeya Hutchins, Track and Field Champion; Felix Dolci, Olympic Gymnast, Canada 2024; Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Former NFL Player; and Emerance Maschmeyer, WPHL Goaltender.

In addition to her communications work, Dana is a singer-songwriter and pianist. Her new album “Your Love Is Enough” debuted on the Midwest Country Music Originals show, airing on 25 commercial stations in the US. She was also featured on Country 92.9’s “Canada Country: Up & Coming” in Ontario, Canada. Dana continues to bridge the worlds of business communication and the arts, offering a unique perspective to both industries.

Lynn is perhaps best known for her Bronze Medal performance at the LA Olympic Games in

1984, when all eyes were on the American sweetheart Mary Decker, who collided with a little South African girl named Zola Budd. The American never finished the race, and Lynn won the Bronze Medal.  In her athletic career she held every Canadian record for middle distance running from 1000m - 10K on the roads and currently has held the Road10K record since 1985.  

Lynn has enjoyed off shoots of her running career in her professional life as a business owner, television analyst, motivational speaker, personal, corporate and athletics trainer/coach including High Performance at the Provincial, National and Olympic Team Levels. She is an inductee in the Olympic Hall of Fame, a YWCA Woman of Distinction and was honoured as SportBC’s Female Coach of the Year in 2020. 

Lynn is committed to community in her work with various events including Vancouver Sun Run, Vancouver Marathon, and the Harry Jerome Track Classic currently as Vice Chair of the Achilles Society.. Her passion for over 35 years has been to inspire people of all ages and abilities to take steps toward better health, achieve personal goals, and be active and happy: Movement is medicine!

Proudest accomplishment: No contest! 4 wonderful children! 

Cynda Heward’s visionary leadership and unwavering dedication are the cornerstones of her remarkable career in healthcare philanthropy. With a deep commitment to advancing patient care, medical excellence, and community wellness, she has played a pivotal role in improving the health and well-being of Canadians.

For over 25 years, Ms. Heward served as the President & CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation in Montreal. Under her leadership, the Foundation has raised over $125 million, launched the landmark $100 million Century of Care Campaign, and cultivated a dynamic and engaged donor community. She has strengthened flagship fundraising events, mentored a high-performing team, and helped shape the future of healthcare in the community.

Dedicated to whole-person care, Ms. Heward has championed initiatives that go beyond traditional medical services, ensuring that healthcare programs address the diverse needs of the community and create lasting impact. Her expertise extends beyond fundraising—she has provided strategic direction for Board Members, Trustees, Provincial Healthcare Officials, and professional fundraisers. As the first person in Québec to earn the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation, she has also consulted nationally on board recruitment, development, and strategies for sustaining momentum in fundraising campaigns, personnel management, and volunteer engagement.

Recognized for her insightful and relationship-driven approach, Ms. Heward has built a reputation as a trusted consultant in donor recognition, stewardship, and cross-cultural philanthropy. Her ability to create meaningful connections has been instrumental in fostering long-term partnerships and driving sustainable change in the philanthropic sector.

Beyond her contributions to healthcare philanthropy, Ms. Heward has been a mentor and advocate for women in leadership. As an inaugural member of McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management Women’s MBA Mentoring Program, she has guided female MBA students through their academic journeys and career transitions.

Born in Vancouver, B.C., Ms. Heward attended Queen’s University before beginning a financial career in Toronto with Wood Gundy’s Money Markets division. Merging her entrepreneurial spirit with her commitment to community wellness, she later returned to B.C. to play a key role in launching British Columbia’s Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. Under her leadership, the initiative achieved the #1 position worldwide within three years.

Throughout her career, Ms. Heward has led by example, building relationship-based community initiatives that enhance well-being, productivity, and quality of life. She firmly believes in the power of health as a foundation for a thriving society:

"When health is prioritized, people are better equipped to lead fulfilling lives, engage actively in the workforce, and contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of society. It’s about creating a foundation for a brighter, more equitable future—one where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make the world a better place." — Cynda P. Heward