Volunteer Week Spotlight on Mandy Penney

April 20, 2026

Our first Volunteer Spotlight shines on Mandy Penney!

Mandy first became a volunteer with EmpowerNL in 2017, supporting our work by assisting with securing funding before joining the InclusionNL Volunteer Crew. Today she serves as the Vice Chair on our Board and facilitates our Peer Support Group, helping to create spaces where individuals with disabilities can connect, share experiences and support one another. Mandy is also the EmpowerNL representative on the Independent Living Canada Board of Directors and a member of the IL Canada Youth Advisory Council. She also serves as Secretary of DAWN Canada (DisAbled Women’s Network Canada), Clerk for NewfoundSand and is a member of both the Patient Advisory Council and the Youth Advisory Council.

In her free time, she enjoys chatting with friends, advocating for accessibility, exploring entrepreneurship, and expressing creativity through fashion. She also likes relaxing at home listening to Taylor Swift with her cats.

Mandy is passionate about volunteering and says “Volunteering has had a significant impact on my life. Through my involvement with EmpowerNL, I later became an employee of the organization, which helped deepen my understanding of disability advocacy and community leadership. Volunteering also gave me confidence and helped me develop new skills, particularly in leadership, collaboration, and community engagement. Volunteering has provided opportunities for personal growth, professional development, and meaningful community impact. Volunteering has played an important role in shaping my life and career. It has led to many meaningful friendships and opened doors to both personal and professional opportunities.”