Presenter Bio:
Jessica Rotolo, a passionate advocate for the Down syndrome community, serves as an Ambassador for DramaWay, an inclusive drama program in Toronto, and for Best Buddies Canada. She also holds the distinction of being the first Canadian appointed as a Best Buddies International Global Ambassador in the U.S.
At 27, Jessica is a public speaker, artist, model, actor, dancer, and changemaker. Her commitment to advocacy spans across global initiatives, including a fundraising campaign where she designed socks that sold 17,000 pairs worldwide, generating nearly $100,000 for Down syndrome support efforts.
Her impact has been widely recognized, earning her multiple awards and standing ovations in the Ontario Government Legislative Assembly and the Canadian House of Commons for her contributions to advocacy and fundraising.
Jessica has played a key role in award-winning campaigns for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. She also collaborated with Adidas Germany and FCB Canada on a groundbreaking three-year project to design a running shoe tailored to the unique needs of people with Down syndrome.
Most recently, Jessica completed filming a short documentary exploring her journey with Alopecia Areata. Set for release in late 2025, the documentary will be featured at international film festivals and educational platforms.
Her work continues to inspire and pave the way for greater inclusivity and awareness worldwide. As Jessica’s loves to say, “I am a young woman who is Rockin Life”.
Lauren Abela is a passionate disability inclusion and mental health advocate, educator, and one of Canada’s first Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies International alongside Jessica Rotolo. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Psychology from the University of Guelph-Humber, where she graduated with distinction and received top honors including the Founder’s Academic Merit Scholarship, Gold Medallion for Leadership Excellence and the Michael Nightingale Community Enrichment Awards. Lauren’s commitment to creating inclusive communities began in high school and deepened through her time at Guelph-Humber. There, she met Jessica when starting their school’s first Best Buddies chapter together. Their leadership transformed the campus into a hub of meaningful connection and belonging, promoting friendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In their roles as Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies, Lauren and Jessica have represented Canada internationally, leading inclusive initiatives and advocating for the rights and recognition of people with IDD. Their advocacy has extended beyond campus and into the community, where they co-hosted the Love Means… art exhibit alongside photographer Hilary Gauld and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society; an awareness project made possible by a $7,000 grant she had applied for. The following year, Lauren secured an additional $10,000 grant for her school to further support inclusive programming and peer engagement. In May 2025, Lauren and Jessica were recognized with Best Buddies Canada’s inaugural “Ambassador of Change” awards at the Reach for the Stars student retreat, which they co-mc’d. This event welcomed over 150 students from around the GTA to encourage them to “dream big” and increase access to education. “These events were made possible because of my friendship with Jessica,” Lauren shares. “She is a light in my world, and I am thrilled to be embarking on this new journey together as professional public speakers!” Inspired by her friendship with Jessica, Lauren explored the intersection of inclusion and education in her undergraduate thesis titled “Down Syndrome Acceptance: Changing Attitudes Through Interventions.” Her research focused on how intentional programming and educational interventions can reshape societal attitudes, building empathy and greater acceptance. Professionally, Lauren currently serves as a Student Success Advisor at Humber Polytechnic, where she supports adult learners in the Academic Upgrading program. Lauren’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of friendship, community and saying “yes” to opportunities. She continues to lead by example—building a world where everyone belongs and every voice is valued.
Presentation: The Power of ‘Yes’: Advocacy, Friendship & Inclusion in Action
Get ready for an engaging and heartwarming session that blends storytelling with interactive activities by two passionate presenters. Jessica Rotolo (who was born with Down syndrome) and Lauren Abela (her sister from another mister, LOL) are fierce advocates and Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies. They will take you on a journey through their story of friendship with the help of a creative twist on a beloved Taylor Swift song, moving visuals, and fun opportunities for engagement with your peers. You can expect to receive practical tools like drama-based exercises that build confidence, fosters connection and encourages self-advocacy. We hope you will leave feeling inspired and empowered to work with organizations like Best Buddies Canada, DramaWay and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS), but also equipped to uplift others within your networks. This is more than a session—it’s a call to say “yes” to inclusion. So, will you join us?”
