Niagara Children’s Centre Welcomes Noella Klawitter as Next CEO

October 08, 2025

Niagara Children’s Centre Welcomes Noella Klawitter as Next CEO

St. Catharines, ON – A new era of leadership began this week as Noella Klawitter took the helm as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer on Oct. 6, 2025. She succeeds longtime CEO Oksana Fisher, who retired after 15 years of dedicated service.

With more than two decades in health and social services, Klawitter brings a reputation as a collaborative, strategic, and family-focused leader. Most recently, she served as Director of KidsInclusive, the children’s treatment centre within Kingston Health Sciences Centre, while also chairing the Empowered Kids Ontario (EKO) Leadership Council and serving on EKO’s Board of Directors.

Klawitter describes collaboration as the cornerstone of her leadership. “The best outcomes occur when we bring diverse voices to the table,” she said. “I want to foster a culture where our staff and the families we serve continue to feel valued and supported.”

Her career has prepared her well for this next chapter. At KidsInclusive, she guided the organization through significant growth, expanding from 64 to 150 staff while preparing for a major capital campaign. Her provincial leadership with EKO gave her a system-wide perspective on challenges and opportunities in children’s rehabilitation. “Families are at the centre of what I do,” she added.

Looking ahead, Klawitter sees enormous potential for Niagara Children’s Centre to grow as a leader in inclusive care. She highlights the opportunity to expand partnerships, leverage data to drive decision-making, pursue innovative programming, and strengthen fundraising and community engagement.

Klawitter, who competed as a Canadian Paralympian, draws on her lived experience with disability to inform her leadership and her commitment to equity and inclusion. In 2002, she was diagnosed with Cone/Rod Dystrophy, which affects her vision. She is often accompanied by her guide dog, Doll, who helps her navigate daily life and professional settings.

“It’s really instilled the belief that resilience, preparation, and teamwork can make the impossible possible,” she reflected. “I believe every person, regardless of ability, can thrive. I value inclusion, perseverance, and imagining what’s possible — even with the challenges we have to overcome.”

Outside of her professional work, Klawitter and her family are eager to put down roots in Niagara. “The natural beauty and vibrant community life are so appealing,” she said. “We’re excited to be part of a community that is so welcoming and family-centred, while contributing to its vitality.”

Niagara Children’s Centre Board of Directors expressed confidence in her appointment. Board Chair Angela Davidson said, “Noella is a highly respected leader in the children’s development and rehabilitation sector. Her experience, vision, and commitment to children and families make her an ideal choice to lead the Centre into its next chapter. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Oksana Fisher for her outstanding leadership and impact over the past 15 years.”

Klawitter holds a Master of Human Kinetics from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Prince Edward Island.

With Klawitter’s leadership, the Centre is poised to deepen its roots in the Niagara community and build on its proud tradition of helping children and families thrive.

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About Niagara Children’s Centre:
Niagara Children’s Centre provided rehabilitation and child development services to more than 5,900 children and youth last year across the Niagara Region with physical, developmental and communicative delays. The range of services include: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services and therapeutic recreation.

For further information contact:
Michael Morrison, Marketing & Communications Officer
Phone: 905-688-1890 ext 260
Email: michael.morrison@niagarachildrenscentre.com

Photo caption:
Noella Klawitter at Niagara Children’s Centre after being welcomed as the organization’s next CEO.