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Janet Noel-Annable Honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal
We’re delighted to share that Janet Noel-Annable, CEO of Karis Disability Services (Karis), has been awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal – a national honour recognizing individuals who have made a meaningful impact in Canadian society.
Janet received this medal after being nominated by the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, a national group of faith leaders and organizations committed to dialogue on religious issues in Canada and to promoting collaboration for the common good. They recommended her for:
“Outstanding service, especially in fostering mutual respect and understanding of different religious traditions, and/or furthering the positive contribution of faith communities in Canadian civil society.”
For more than 36 years, 14 as Chief Executive Officer of Karis Disability Services (formerly Christian Horizons), Janet has understood that faith communities in Canada play a crucial role in fostering belonging in society. She has channelled this understanding into practical action through her leadership at Karis, supporting people with disabilities in Canada and around the world, through supportive housing, employment, volunteering, community inclusion, and accessible education.
“The work of Karis is rooted in the belief that all people are sacred and are deserving of the opportunity to lead good lives in their communities,” shares Noel-Annable. “Rather than seeing people with disabilities as receipients of services, or worse, as receipients soley of charity and benevolence, Karis works from the fact that people with disabilities are citizens and contributors. We all bring gifts to our community, and communities are best when everybody belongs."
With the support of nearly 4,000 team members and volunteers, she leads efforts that equip faith communities to become places where people with disabilities and their families are valued and belong. Her leadership reflects the mission of Karis:
As an expression of Christian faith, we work together with people with disabilities to accomplish their goals and nurture communities where everybody belongs.
The medal was presented by Bruce J. Clemenger, who has served for over 30 years with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, including 20 years as President. Bruce has been a strong voice for respectful dialogue between faith communities and a leader in promoting the role of faith in public life.
This award is a special recognition of Janet’s commitment to inclusion, justice, and her faith in action. Her leadership has helped shape communities where everybody can belong and thrive.
This commemorative medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023. The King Charles III Coronation Medal honours 30,000 remarkable individuals who have made a meaningful impact in their communities. The Canadian Interfaith Conversation has recently published on its website a list of recipients it recommended for this honour.
Congratulations, Janet, on this well-deserved honour!
