OECM: A Proud Program Partner for Empowered Kids Ontario’s Spring Symposium

OECM was honoured to be a Program Partner for the Opening Night of Empowered Kids Ontario’s (EKO) Spring Symposium, held on April 16^th, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. EKO is a member association that represents more than 30 publicly funded organizations, that provide clinical care for kids with disabilities and developmental differences and their families. OECM’s CEO and President, Jim Hadjiyianni, and Sonia Gallo, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Transformation, offered opening remarks.

“We’re proud to support this important gathering—one that brings together such a passionate and committed community, all working toward one common goal: ensuring the very best developmental health outcomes for children and families across Ontario,” said Hadjiyianni. “To the incredible EKO Tribute Award recipients here with us tonight: Your work is nothing short of inspiring.”

During the opening night, EKO also announced their fifteen (15) 2025 Tribute Award recipients. The awards are given to individuals, teams, and organizations that are changing the lives of Ontario kids with disabilities and developmental needs, supporting their caregivers, and working unrelentingly to make Ontario communities more inclusive and accessible.

“We are so grateful to OECM, the Program Partner for the EKO Spring Symposium 2025 Opening Night Reception,” says Jennifer Churchill, EKO’s President & CEO. “OECM’s partnership ensured this event, and the entire Spring Symposium, was beyond enjoyable—it was memorable in all the best ways! Delegates tell us they were delighted to get to know our outstanding 2025 EKO Tribute Award recipients, made good use of the networking time, visited with poster presenters, and relaxed after a full day of presentations with OECM’s signature mocktail, the Blue Market! This was truly a perfect partnership!”

Thank you for your leadership, your innovation, and your unwavering commitment to the developmental health community. ‘Let’s raise a glass to the spirit of collaboration and celebrate the people, partnerships and passion that fuel this sector,’ echoed Gallo.

OECM at Empowered Kids Ontario's Symposium — (from left to right): Patrice Likamshum, OECM’s Director of Business Development, Sonia Gallo, OECM’s Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Transformation and Jim Hadjiyianni, OECM’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

To learn more about EKO: https://www.empoweredkidsontario.ca/