News Release
January 16, 2024. WHITBY, ON: Abilities Centre is proud to announce the hiring of Michael Cvitkovic as President & CEO.
Cvitkovic has been a fixture of the Canadian sports scene since the late 1990s, helping build some of the most successful sport and recreation brands in our country, including the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club, Tennis Canada, Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and most recently, launching the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) since its inception in 2019.
He has also provided leadership to underserved communities while bringing greater awareness to sport within Truth & Reconciliation as the General Manager of the successful 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto. A proud supporter of parasport, Cvitkovic was the Press Chief for Team Canada at the 2010 Paralympic Games.
During his career, Cvitkovic has successfully produced award-winning marketing and communication campaigns, balanced multi-million-dollar budgets, and worked with community partners, stakeholders, and staff to create unique and inclusive environments for members of the community through sports and recreation.
A national search, conducted by Abilities Centre and Mirams Becker Executive Search Specialists, resulted in the hiring of Cvitkovic, who has called Whitby his home for more than a decade.
“Since 2012, Abilities Centre has been a Canadian landmark for creating an inclusive environment, while developing innovative programming that meets the diverse needs of society,” said Cvitkovic. “I am honoured to join this impressive team and help serve a growing population. Abilities Centre is a world-class venue that has just started to recognize its potential.”
An Olympic broadcaster and former sports radio host, Cvitkovic has worked closely with government, business and community leaders on a series of sport and cultural initiatives with the aim to boost the Canadian sport tourism sector. This experience will prove beneficial to Abilities Centre as it collaborates with Rugby Ontario to host the 2028 International Mixed Ability Rugby Tournament.
“I am very excited to welcome Michael as the new leader of Abilities Centre,” said Board of Directors Chairperson Sharon Cochran. “His passion for creating an inclusive community, combined with his executive leadership skills will motivate and empower our dedicated staff to new heights.”
Cvitkovic is projected to start his new position on March 1, 2024. Current Interim President & CEO, Ross Ste-Croix will return to his previous position of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at such time.
“The Board of Directors and the entire Abilities Centre community is grateful to Ross for his leadership and dedication during this transition period,” continued Cochran. “Ross embodies the values of our organization and will join Michael (Cvitkovic) in moving Abilities Centre forward during this next important chapter.”
About Abilities Centre
Abilities Centre is a Canadian charitable organization that is committed to building inclusive and accessible communities. Using our multi-award-winning, fully accessible 125,000-square-foot facility as an inclusion incubator, we develop evidence-based programs and services that can be scaled locally, provincially, nationally, and globally.
Media Contact:
Ross Ste-Croix, Interim President & CEO
rstecroix@abilitiescentre.org