In celebration of Canadian Sport Institute Ontario’s 25^th Anniversary, we are excited to share our history and the impact CSIO has had on the Ontario and Canadian sport system by elevating people and performances in the pursuit of building champions. The stories will be told over the year-long celebration through three concurrent article series – Elevating Excellence, Elevating People, and Elevating Performances.

Our latest article comes from our Elevating People series, which will take a deeper look at some of the key individuals who have shaped CSIO and those who have been supported by CSIO throughout their career. Written by David Grossman, this article highlights the dedication and leadership of Debbie Low and her role as the organization’s President & CEO for nearly 20 years.

By David Grossman

Debbie Low knows what it’s like to be a fan of success.

That’s because she has been a huge part of the prosperity and achievements in making Ontario become the best amateur sport system in the country.

Some would say it’s her job as President and the Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO). Maybe so, but being an exceptional inspiration to women of all ages, there is more than just a title.

With the combined strength of personal knowledge and experience along with a group of conscious, skilled, and proficient people, and tack on resources, Low has always had a clear objective. That is to make, and ensure, CSIO is an elite operation. It’s an organization that “strives to elevate people and performances in the pursuit of building champions”.

Fancy words, but when mentioning Low, masterful work and competency can be explained in many ways.

Low has been nothing short of a dedicated workaholic, who is always striving for each podium that portrays progress and triumph. People who know her, and what she has achieved, also see her as a strong proponent, and influencer, of mentorship and professional development.

Tennis legend Serena Williams was quoted saying “The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up. Make sure you’re very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble”.

Strong and dedicated leadership, it’s a personal objective that Low had set since she joined the organization back in 2005. That’s when the staff consisted of five people with a small office at the Sport Alliance of Ontario building located in midtown Toronto.

These days, CSIO – now celebrating a 25^th anniversary – functions out of the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. It’s a superb facility with all the assets to make contenders in international competitions.

As well, there are training facilities in Milton and Niagara. Low also has a staff of 65 and an additional 40 on tab for part time work along with an overall budget that grew from $1.2 million, when she started 18 years ago, to $8.7 million in 2024.

Those who know her or met Low for a conversation for the first time and talked about amateur sport involving Canadian athletes in national and international competitions, understand that for her the target is always about reaching high.

“I had good mentors and leaders – something I will always remember and with lots of admiration and respect,” said Low. “For me, it’s always about bringing out the best in others – and, to do it, I need to be part of a team, our team. I love what I do, believe in what I do and always want to have the right people working (at CSIO) who will contribute to our growth as an organization.”

Low grew up in downtown Toronto. While a student at Northern Secondary School, she was a multi-sport athlete. In those teen years, she had a friend who lived on Toronto Island who enticed her to try the sport of canoeing. So much so, that Low became part of a crew that went on to win a medal at the National Championships.

Educated at Queen’s University in Kingston, the University of Toronto and Oshawa’s Durham College, her physical and health education degree led to more knowledge. There was also an executive leadership program in the Queen’s business school, and a continuing thirst for expertise and proficiency in sports management.

“It was at U of T, during a field trip to Variety Village as part of a course I took on sport and disabilities, that I became quite passionate about working in high performance sport,” said Low, who is the second youngest of six sisters in her family. “I wanted to go that route – to be involved in making the sport system better.”

At the time, physical and health education university grads were, for the most part, being groomed to take on teaching positions. Low was quite adamant that she didn’t want a career in a classroom. Looking at what she’s doing now, many would agree that Low is indeed an educator, having created a large workshop focussed on the semantics of an effective sport network.

“It’s no secret, Canada’s sport system is fragmented and there is lots to improve,” she said. “For me, I enjoy learning, meeting with the right people and then influencing and guiding others. Working together in a team environment, providing opportunities, is very important to me. Those who work (at CSIO), are aware that we do everything we can to make others better.”

Low was instrumental in making things happen that many had determined would be impossible. As an example, working with many sectors to develop a safe system that allowed athletes, focussed on the Olympics, to train at the CSIO during the pandemic comes to mind.

So does her work in developing a superb program that serves as performance pathway development with assistance in sport science and sport medicine. Called the Ontario High Performance Sport Initiative (OHPSI), it was launched back in 2010 and is well known across Canada.

With a glowing resume, Low gained a wealth of experience working for the Ontario Government’s Ministry of Tourism and Recreation as a Games Consultant. She did it twice. Admiration for her followed in her career moves. Success was also as the Director of Sport for Toronto’s 2008 Olympic and Paralympic bid and Executive Director of Para Sport Ontario.

Experience, knowledge, contacts continued to grow along with her glowing personality.

Volunteer experience has been enormous for Low, and yes, in the world of sport. There is the responsibility as Vice President of the Association of Sport Performance Centres while Low fulfilled obligations and responsibilities as a member of the International Paralympic Committee, the Board of Directors for the Canadian Paralympic Committee and with Special Olympics Canada.

The values of commitment, synergy, integrity, and openness are all crucial components that are integrated into the day-to-day work environment at CSIO – and point to elevating people and performances.

“Professional development is something that I have always believed in,” said Low. “While I have had the opportunity to travel to 27 countries, there is always a learning aspect that I can bring back to the CSIO to add, adjust or adapt to our growth of incredible programs and athletes.”

The likelihood is you rarely catch Low sitting at a desk for long.

“I want to have a pulse on what’s going on and be able to make the appropriate adjustments, learn from best practices,” she said. “I get energy and ideas from being around people – whether it’s in a meeting, a general conversation or over a coffee chat in the hallway.”

One thing is certain. Despite being an athlete in her younger years, you won’t find Low on the medal podium. She is also not one who glows from personal accolades. Yet, there have been occasions when even the strongest can get emotional. That comes when people take the time to put together humbling words that recognize her kindness, empathy, and leadership.

Recently, a former CSIO staff member praised Low for providing “a positive, kind, and compassionate space for me to be myself …You created professional and personal development opportunities for me. You reflected a lot of the qualities that I wanted to have as a woman in leadership and blazed a trail for me (and many others).”

Truth speaks volumes. Strong and compassionate leadership leads to major awards.

Eleanor Roosevelt, the former first lady of the United States, once said “the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”. While dreams continue, for Low many of them have already become a reality.

There is a saying that clearly describes Low. – “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence”.

Low has, and continues to be, the CSIO’s greatest asset with her wealth of un-matched knowledge and expertise in the sport sector, along with her commitment and belief in the CSIO and its staff.

“I have made mistakes along the way, but have learned so much more from correcting them,” said Low. “I have grown with the organization, succeeded with it, and when the time comes to retire – it will be tough, very tough, but I will know that I have given it my best for my team and sport.”

-END-

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

—

About Canadian Sport Institute Ontario

Celebrating 25 years, Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) is a non-profit organization committed to the pursuit of excellence by providing best-in-class programs, services, and leadership to high performance athletes, coaches, and National and Provincial Sport Organizations to enhance their ability to achieve international podium performances. Our team of expert staff deliver sport science, sport medicine, life services, and coaching and technical leadership support to help Canada win medals and strengthen the sport system in Ontario and Canada. CSIO is part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, working in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and the Coaching Association of Canada. CSIO is further supported by funding partners such as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Sport Canada. www.csiontario.ca

Media Contact

Laura Albright
Senior Advisor, Communications & Marketing
Canadian Sport Institute Ontario
Tel: 647.395.7536
Email: lalbright@csiontario.ca
www.csiontario.ca