OUR TEAM

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Jena Walker

Operations Manager/Accounting

Jena has over 10 years of bookkeeping experience and 5 years of experience running an electrical business. She uses her knowledge to run the operations of Level Playing Field; with a focus on the financial aspect. Her career in the electrical field has given her insight into the construction industry which is invaluable in working for Level Playing Field and its diverse client base. Her values of inclusivity and equality perfectly align with Level Playing Field’s mission to create spaces accessible for everyone.

In her spare time Jena runs her own business, sewing clothing for children. She also enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and going to the gym.

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.