Ariana has over ten years of experience in the public and school library sectors, as well as lived experience as a person with a disability. She currently works as a Senior Services Specialist at Toronto Public Library, where she holds the Accessibility Services and EDI Initiatives portfolio in the Children’s Services Department. She also oversees the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities. Her career has focused on disability and accessibility in libraries, as well as racial inequity, social services, and inclusive spaces.

Eleonora Sermoneta is the Senior Manager of Education and Public Engagement at the Aga Khan Museum, where she oversees school programs, public and community engagement, outreach, digital learning, and accessibility initiatives. With nearly 20 years of international experience, her work is grounded in academic studies across art history, cultural economics, and museums and heritage management. Eleonora’s practice focuses on intercultural learning, community collaboration, and inclusive program design, advancing participatory approaches that support accessibility in museums. She is committed to expanding equitable cultural access and creating meaningful, lifelong pathways for diverse audiences to engage with the arts.

Dr. Simge Erdoğan-O’Connor is Director of the Museum of Health Care, where she leads national efforts to advance accessibility, inclusion, and community-centred museum practice. A museum professional with experience in the UK, Turkey, and Canada, she focuses on transforming cultural spaces into accessible, enjoyable, and sensory-inclusive environments. She has led initiatives such as access guides, relaxed guides, interactive exhibits, and audio tours designed for diverse visitors. Simge is a faculty member with the Ontario Museum Association and a core team member of the North American Cultural Diplomacy Initiative (NACDI). Her publications in journals, books, and technical reports examine museum accessibility, community engagement, and cultural diplomacy, with a steadfast commitment to museums as welcoming spaces for all.

Melissa Smith (she/her/elle) is the Assistant Vice President of Gallery Engagement at the Royal Ontario Museum, where she supports a team delivering welcoming, hands-on learning experiences across galleries and public programs. Previously, she spent over a decade at the Art Gallery of Ontario, developing programs that emphasized access, inclusion, and community collaboration. Melissa is interested in how museums can support wellbeing and foster a sense of belonging by reducing barriers and encouraging multiple perspectives. She has taught in the Inclusive Design graduate program at OCAD University and currently teaches in the Museum Studies program at the University of Toronto, where she developed a course on accessible museum programming grounded in Disability Justice. She continues to learn and is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside communities to reimagine what museums can be.