Chef and Assistant Chef de Mission announced for Special Olympics World Games Santiago 2027

Special Olympics Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Kelly Edwards as Chef de Mission and Colleen Lowdon-Bula as Assistant Chef de Mission of Special Olympics Team Canada for the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile, taking place from October 16–25, 2027.

As Chef de Mission, Kelly will serve as the volunteer leader of Special Olympics Team Canada, helping to guide athletes, coaches, and mission staff through every stage of their journey to the world’s largest inclusive sporting event. The role is responsible for setting the vision and culture for the team, fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performance environment where athletes can thrive and represent Canada with pride.

Edwards brings decades of experience across the Special Olympics movement, having served in leadership roles including Head Coach, Team Manager, Mission Staff and Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team Alberta, as well as Mission Staff with Special Olympics Team Canada at multiple Special Olympics World Games. Widely respected for her collaborative leadership style, she is known for building strong team cultures, empowering others to lead and creating environments where athletes and coaches can perform at their best while feeling valued and supported. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to inclusion and the belief that sport has the power to transform lives and communities.

I am honoured to serve as Chef de Mission for Special Olympics Team Canada. The journey to Santiago is about so much more than competition. It is about belonging, friendship, leadership, and the opportunity for athletes to showcase their talents on the world stage. I look forward to supporting our team as we prepare to proudly represent Canada.

Colleen Lowdon-Bula will also join the leadership team as Assistant Chef de Mission, working alongside the Chef de Mission to foster a high-performance, athlete-centered, and values-driven team environment.

Lowdon-Bula brings extensive leadership experience within Special Olympics Manitoba and shares a deep commitment to athlete-centred leadership and collaboration. As Assistant Chef de Mission, she will play an integral role in supporting Special Olympics Team Canada's preparation, helping strengthen relationships across the delegation and ensuring athletes, coaches and mission staff are equipped for success on and off the field of play.

The opportunity to support the athletes, coaches, and mission staff of Special Olympics Team Canada as they prepare for Santiago is both a privilege and a responsibility. I look forward to working alongside our Chef de Mission and leadership team to celebrate the joy, determination, and incredible spirit that make Special Olympics Team Canada so special.

The appointments come as Special Olympics Canada prepares for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games 2026 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where athletes will compete for the opportunity to qualify for Special Olympics Team Canada and represent the country in Santiago.

"Today marks an exciting milestone on the road to Santiago," said Gail Hamamoto, Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Canada. "The Chef and Assistant Chef de Mission play critical leadership roles in shaping the Special Olympics Team Canada experience, inspiring athletes, coaches, and mission staff, and ensuring every member of our delegation feels supported, prepared, and empowered to achieve their best.”

The Special Olympics World Games are the world’s largest inclusive sports and humanitarian event, bringing together approximately 6,500 participants from more than 170 countries, to showcase the extraordinary talent, determination and spirit of athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the world's biggest stage.