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Ontario’s Police Leaders Honour Special Olympics Ontario President & CEO Glenn MacDonell, with the 2024 OACP President’s Award of Merit
For Immediate Release: June 11, 2024
(London, ON) – The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is proud to announce that Glenn MacDonell, President & Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Ontario (SOO), has been awarded the 2024 OACP President’s Award of Merit – the highest honour conferred by the OACP.
Ontario’s police leaders honoured Mr. MacDonell at the OACP Annual Conference - President's Night held in London, ON, on June 10, 2024. He was honoured for his dedication to Special Olympics, particularly in promoting OACP’s charity of choice, the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR).
Glenn MacDonell gave 35 years of outstanding leadership, compassion and stewardship to the SOO and is set to retire as President & CEO on June 30, 2024.
On September 1, 1990, Mr. MacDonell was named SOO’s Executive Director (later, President & CEO) and began his outstanding career as a leadership champion for Special Olympians. Mr. MacDonell is widely known throughout the organization and the international movement as a leader with compassion, a commitment to effective stewardship, innovation, and entrepreneurial savvy.
In 2024, 23,000 athletes are involved with SOO, with more than half the athletes under the age of 21. More than 12,000 coaches and volunteers operate local sport programs in more than 120 communities across Ontario and in every school board. Mr. MacDonell has led the organization through countless regional, provincial, and national games. Each of these major events have resonated tremendous impact on the lives of athletes, volunteers, the community, the games organizing committees and the core people raising funds and providing quality competitions for each major games. They have left a financial and public awareness legacy for each of the hosting communities.
Mr. MacDonell embodies the term “Leadership Champion”. His grassroots and friendly personality gives him an ability to build strength through strategic partnerships, having several long-standing relationships and friendships with sponsors and committed people who believe in the outstanding work of SOO.
Over his 35 years, and attesting to a career of achievements, Mr. MacDonell has received many accolades and awards of significance. Among these honours is his induction into the International LETR Hall of Fame.
Mr. MacDonell is also recognized as a mentor and influencer in the leadership structures of Special Olympics International and with the International Law Enforcement Community. He has successfully guided these national, international, and North American based groups in strategic and operational planning with an emphasis on keeping the Special Olympics Athlete at the heart of organizational change.
Mr. MacDonell is transformative in his mindset to help others chart new paths forward and adapt when change is needed. His extraordinary energy and ability to pivot through challenging times was most evident during the pandemic. Under Mr. MacDonell’s leadership, staff and board kept connected, engaged, and vastly supported the thousands of athletes and volunteers during these difficult times.
Over the years, and under Mr. MacDonell’s leadership, the SOO board has remained committed to their mission, ensured financial sustainability, sharpened strategies for growth and innovation, and developed a solid volunteer and staff leadership team with a plan to transition for the future.
The OACP wishes Glenn MacDonell a sincere and heartfelt thank you for his outstanding contributions to Special Olympics in Ontario, Canada, and around the world.
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For more information, contact:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations & Communications
T. (416) 926-0424 ext. 22
C. (416) 919-9798
E. media@oacp.ca
X. @OACPOfficial
@OACPCertificate
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