Special Olympics British Columbia: King Charles III Coronation Medal Honourees
The King Charles III Coronation Medal celebrates Canadians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities—and this year, several remarkable individuals from the Special Olympics British Columbia community were among those honoured.
From program builders and longtime volunteers to passionate advocates and athlete leaders, each recipient has helped grow the movement across the province and championed the values of inclusion, empowerment, and civic service.
Below, we invite you to learn more about the Special Olympics British Columbia recipients and their incredible contributions to building a more inclusive Canada.
Dr. Anne Tilley
A critical leader within the creation of Special Olympics programming in the province of B.C., Anne Tilley was a founding member of SOBC’s Board of Directors and has been a longtime advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. She is also a champion of increased support for people with intellectual disabilities inside the field of kinesiology and the UBC community.
Donna Bilous
Donna Bilous is a long time volunteer who, in 2018, was inducted into the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame for being a community builder. Donna was British Columbia’s Head Coach going into the 2020 National Winter Games, and her daughter is a proud athlete within Special Olympics.
Matthew Williams
A Global Athlete Messenger for Special Olympics International, Matthew Williams not only represents himself but a global movement. Matthew is highly accomplished in multiple sports, having gone to the 2015 World Games for basketball, and later going to the 2020 World Games for Speed Skating. He is also well known for giving an amazing TED Talk about the positive impact that Special Olympics programming has on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Pamela Keith
Sitting on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics British Columbia, Pamela Keith is a record-breaking fundraiser for her province. As owners and leaders of Dueck Auto Group,the Keith family has been a long cherished supporter of the Special Olympics movement for over a decade, Pamela included. She helped ensure that the 2024 Auction for Athletes raised a never-before seen $255,000 dollars!
Sheila Hogan
The Local Coordinator for Special Olympics programs in Coquitlam, B.C., Shiela is also the rightful winner of 2011’s SOBC President’s Award. In 2023, Sheila went to the Special Olympics British Columbia Winter Games, representing Coquitlam as Mission Staff. She has been volunteering for over 20 years.
Sheila Snell
Sheila Snell is a widely accomplished coach within Special Olympics. In 2013 Sheila was given the Howard Carter Award in recognition for her performance as Head Coach of British Columbia’s Rhythmic Gymnastics team, and she was also a coach for B.C.’s curling team headed into the 2016 National Winter Games. Shiela is still active as an organizer for Surrey.
Susan Wang
Susan Wang is an Athlete Leader from British Columbia who represents the Special Olympics Movement on a global scale. Participating in floor hockey, alpine skiing, swimming, and athletics, she is one of only ten Sargent Shriver Global Messengers in the entire world, selected by Special Olympics International.
Susan has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, and works full time at a childcare centre specializing in students under the age of 5 years old.
