OUR TEAM

Meet the experienced team at Level Playing Field

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Darby Lee Young, ADAC

Founder and Principal Accessibility Strategist

ADA Coordinator Training Certification

IOC (International Olympic Committee) Safeguarding Officer Certificate 2023

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

“The moment there is the slightest barrier, my independence is gone.”

Darby’s ultimate goal has been to blend her personal lived experience with her professional career as an Accessibility Changemaker. Born with mild cerebral palsy, she has transformed her unique perspective into a valuable asset. Her background, which includes political appointments, a competitive career as a para-alpine skier, and certification as an ADA Coordinator, provides her with a powerful lens through which she approaches accessibility projects. Additionally, Darby’s involvement in Venue Management School has further enhanced her expertise in creating accessible environments.

Through Level Playing Field (LPF), Darby has expanded her reach, offering her expertise to a broader range of clients. Her work in integrating universal design in new constructions and conducting accessibility assessments of proposed and existing facilities has made a significant difference for many people with disabilities. LPF’s efforts have led to the removal of barriers at municipal, provincial, and national levels, helping to create more inclusive environments.

Her political roles have included serving on the City of Calgary’s Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA) from 2011 to 2015, where she held the co-chair position for two years, and representing Calgary at the International Summit on Accessibility in 2014. From June 2017 to June 2020, Darby served on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Over the past seven years, Darby has been honored with various accolades. In 2018, she was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40. In February 2020, John Fluevog Shoes launched the “Darby” Shoes, now available in multiple colors. She was also recognized as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence 2021. Through her work, Darby continues to break down barriers for persons with disabilities, both professionally and personally, striving to make a lasting impact.

In her free time, Darby is a regular at sporting events, especially hockey, tennis, and chuckwagon racing. She enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations with a focus on accessibility. Darby is always there to support her friends and family, cheering them on in their various pursuits. She is also certified as an IOC Safeguarding Officer, further demonstrating her commitment to creating safe and inclusive environments.

Darby Lee Young

Founder and Principal

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Thea Kurdi

Accessibility Education and Policy Strategist

Certified Professional in Accessible Built Environments Level 2 – Expert (IAAP)

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Affiliate

Dip. Arch. Tech

Kurdi has been a trusted and respected built environment accessibility and universal design consultant and post secondary educator for the last 24 years for hundreds of architectural and urban planning projects of varying size and complexity. Known for her honesty and passion for disability equity, she has worked on accessibility drawing reviews, building audits, writing and illustrating client design standards, while also creating and delivering many accessible and universal design courses and education materials.

Thea lives with several invisible disabilities as do 75% of all disabled people. She prefers identify first language as her disabilities are integral to who she is and how she sees the world. Thea has been a frequent invited guest speaker at government events, conferences internationally, nationally and locally, as well as at schools of architecture and interior design programs. She has been a contributing author for many industry references and guidelines and the creator of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) Introduction to Successful Accessible Design course. She has also written many articles for magazines, been interviewed by the press on accessibility issues including CTV’s Your Morning, a recurring guest on TVO’s The Agenda with Steve Paikin, and for two years was a monthly universal design contributor to AMI’s Now with Dave Brown Show. In the past, Thea has also served as a board member for ArtsBuild Ontario and the Universal Design Network of Canada.

Thea has focused her career on helping clients create beautiful, inclusive and universal designs that focus on use-ability; designs that are actually better design for everyone, that respond to our rapidly aging population and intersectionality, but most importantly, comply with the Human Rights Code. Thea believes nothing is smarter, a better investment, or more sustainable than accessibility.

The future is accessible and Thea has dedicated her career to helping make that happen as soon as possible.

Thea Kurdi

Accessibility Education & Policy Strategist

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Kristin Westlake

Accessibility Lead

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

Kristin has over 9 years of combined experience. She worked 7 years as a commercial interior designer until her passion for universal design led her to Level Playing Field. She has been on the project team for many centres related to Healthcare, Senior’s care, Recovery and Community Health, among others.

Kristin received her Bachelor of Applied Interior Design from Mount Royal University in 2013 as well as her registration through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She is also a designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) professional.

Kristin’s passion for accessibility stems from a young age with her mom working as a nurse with Alzheimer’s patients. She has had many experiences working in senior’s homes and has always been an advocate for universal, inclusive design. Whether a person has a physical disability, cognitive or visual impairment, are aging, or a parent struggling to get a stroller through snow at an intersection, it is imperative that everyone has the same opportunity.

In her personal time, she enjoys many outdoor activities such as biking and playing sports. She loves sculpting, photography, and digital art as well as building old cars. She is also a master train set builder for her 4-year-old son Jax.

Kristin Westlake

Accessibility Lead

Black and white photo of Clara De Paoli, Accessibility Strategist, Level Playing Field

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Clara De Paoli

Accessibility Lead

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

Clara demonstrates a well-rounded and worldly background in Interior Design. Following her achievement of a Bachelor of Applied Interior Design degree in several additional Arts and Design courses at Mount Royal University, as well as her NCIDQ designation, Clara completed the Introduction to Interior and Spatial Design program at Nuova Accademia di Belle Art (NABA) in Milan, Italy.

Clara’s unique educational and professional background has provided her with over 10 years of extensive experience in the industry; project management in both high-end residential and corporate office design; contract administration, including site reviews and deficiency reports; furniture procurement, specifications, and space planning; and material and finish selections are some of the skills she has obtained in her repertoire. Her passion lies in being a part of creating inclusive spaces where the built environment can be fully experienced by all.

In her spare time, Clara enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and teaching the LPF Team different languages!

Clara De Paoli

Accessibility Lead

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Taryn Walker

Accessibility Specialist

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

Taryn joined Level Playing Field in early 2022 and has been an active contributor to the company's growth as a leading firm in accessibility, working on all projects ranging from small pedestrian corridors to post-secondary design guidelines and master plans to everything in between. Taryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and is a graduate of SAIT's Architectural Technologies program. Having long had a passion for creating resilient and welcoming spaces that serve the needs of all people, Taryn endeavours to apply this to every project she undertakes. Her passion for accessibility has been influenced in part by her younger sister (whom she is very proud of), an occupational therapist with extensive experience working with adults and children with various disabilities. Taryn has worked in education and construction and has held various client-facing roles, allowing her to approach projects with both a technical and human-centred lens expertise. Her interest in building science, socially responsible urban planning, and universal design informs her commitment to accessibility and inclusion, ensuring all individuals can fully participate in and enjoy the built environment with dignity.

When she isn't in the office or on the road for work, Taryn enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, trying her hand at new recipes, learning languages, and dragging her partner out for questionably long walks.

Taryn Walker

Accessibility Specialist

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Dan Howard

Accessibility Strategist

Dan joined the LPF team in June of 2023. His varied background in fine arts and architecture brings an eclectic skillset in design, presentation, and analytical thinking. Despite being new to the fields of accessible and universal design, his passion for the subject matter and the goal of improving our built environment is what motivates him as an accessibility strategist.

Dan’s journey to becoming an accessibility strategist began during his Master of Architecture at the University of Calgary, where he took a class on accessibility with Darby. Participating in that class opened his eyes to the world of accessible and universal design, which marked the start of the road map to where he is today. His career began with Stantec Architecture, where he learned many of the skills and proficiencies necessary to succeed as a design professional. Dan now wants to take the skills learned and apply them to a more focused scope-of-work that makes a tangible difference to the world in which we live.

When Dan isn’t working, he spends his free time with family and friends, playing video games, going for hikes, and cheering on his Toronto Blue Jays.

Dan Howard

Accessibility Specialist

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Corinne Osmanski

Accessibility Strategist

Corinne Osmanski recently joined the LPF team in September 2023. Her diverse experience in construction, historic restoration, and architecture has shaped a unique perspective of design around the built environment. She believes spaces should be better equipped to provide communities with equitable opportunities, inclusive to all. She seeks to understand the ethos around current building practices and that argues accessibility should be at the forefront of any project. She knows that consciously integrating universal design solutions will help mitigate challenges people face in their everyday lives.

Corinne completed her Master of Architecture from the University of Calgary in 2023. Previously, she acquired her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boise State University, where her love of design, art, and construction was fostered. Post undergrad, she worked as an architectural conservator restoring historic masonry buildings in Chicago, Illinois where she became interested in how the built environment has changed over time and wondered what potential there is to build a better future for all members of society.

Corinne is fascinated with all aspects of design; from architecture to grand urban realm projects, Corinne believes design exists to serve people. Design should be convenient, efficient, and sustainable. She is passionate about contributing to spaces that are inclusive and accessible. Corinne recognizes design is not just the physical manifestation of an idea, it is the way people interact and navigate the world around them. She hopes her input on designs will positively impact society now and in the future.

In her personal time, Corinne enjoys researching topics relating to social and environmental sustainability. Corinne’s long-time passion is building projects from reclaimed materials; she sees the potential in the discarded and unused. When she is not making something, she can be found puzzling, hanging out with her cats, or doing something active outside.

Corinne Osmanski

Accessibility Strategist

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Caleb Yohannes

Accessibility Strategist

Caleb joined the LPF Team in March of 2024 and brings with him a diverse background of architectural expertise and interdisciplinary professional experience. Caleb’s professional experience spans fields such as architectural design, consultancy, artistic and cultural production, finance, and community development. Caleb has grown as an accomplished leader in these professional environments, finding success leading both small and medium-sized teams. Landing at LPF will allow Caleb to continue to build his skillset and work on his design mission; using architecture and its organization of space to bring diverse peoples and environments together.

Alongside his professional experience, Caleb studied at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto where he was a six-time Dean's List scholar and received the Daniels Faculty Academic Merit Award. Caleb received an undergraduate degree with a specialization in Architectural Studies and a minor in African Studies. This eclectic combination of study has been fundamental in shaping the universal and community-centric lens Caleb utilizes when analyzing architectural design and the built environment.

When not working, Caleb enjoys training in various athletics, participating in his community and working with youth, and working on artistic and cultural projects.

Caleb Yohannes

Accessibility Strategist

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Nick Sommerville

Communication Strategist

Designated Rick Hansen Foundation (RHFAC) Professional

Nick has over 4 years of communications experience in various roles, primarily that of LPF’s Communications Strategist where he manages the procurement, development, and delivery of proposal and marketing efforts within LPF. He uses his combined experience in building management, communications, and accessibility consulting to write creative and authentic material for a collaborative approach to building spaces where all people can experience life – equitably and to the fullest.

Nick received his Bachelor of Communications from Mount Royal University in 2021 and has a background of 6 years in building management experience related to educational facilities. Nick recently achieved his Professional Designation from the Rick Hansen Foundation after completing his training with Athabasca University and is continuously looking to improve his understanding of accessible and universal design for an informed approach to how we can integrate universally designed solutions into our world to improve the user experience for everyone.

In his personal time, Nick can be found immersing himself in books, shows, and games, or illustrating worlds of his own through writing and sketching. He also loves exploring new places and searching for the ultimate ice cream shop with his wife.

For media inquiries please contact Nick at: media@levelplayingfield.ca

Nick Sommerville

Communication Strategist

Kristen Lipscombe Communications Director Level Playing Field

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Kristen Lipscombe

Consultant

Kristen has been an award-winning journalist and conscientious communications specialist for two decades. She has spent half of her career as a reporter at The Chronicle Herald and Metro Halifax, where she covered everything from politics to sports, and the other half working in communications for provincial, national and international organizations.

Most recently, she has worked in senior strategic communications and media relations roles in healthcare, including through the COVID-19 pandemic, both in Ontario and Nova Scotia. She is now working as a Senior Communications Advisor for the Government of Canada. She has also travelled the country and world as a media manager for Hockey Canada.

Kristen grew up in Kingston, Ont., and holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and political science from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Journalism and investigative journalism certification from the University of King’s College.

Kristen Lipscombe

Social Media Consultant

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403-612-7970

For media inquiries please contact:
media@levelplayingfield.ca

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