Meet the Team
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EMILY MAXWELL | Artistic Director
EMILY MAXWELL (she/they) is the Artistic Director & Founder of The Disability Collective. Emily is a queer, disabled, and neurodivergent artist who spent the first decade of her career working as a stage manager for theatre and live events. Emily founded The Disability Collective in 2020 as a way to combine her love for art with her passion for disability justice. In June 2023, Emily received the inaugural Christine Karcza Disability Leadership Award at the 43rd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, in recognition of her dedication to creating opportunities for disabled artists to showcase their work, and fighting for accessibility in performing arts spaces, both on and offstage. Additionally, Emily works as an Access Program Manager for Luminato Festival Toronto, an Accessibility Coordinator for the Toronto Fringe Festival, and worked as the Accessibility and Events Manager for ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto. In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, writing, and working on various small crafts. Emily lives and works in Toronto with her husband, Nathan, and their two cats, Merry and Pippin.
Reach out to Emily at emily@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about programming, artist submissions, collaborations, and partnerships.
NATHAN SARTORE | Managing Director
NATHAN SARTORE (he/they) is the Managing Director of The Disability Collective. A queer and disabled theatre arts administrator, Nathan is dedicated to bringing accessibility and inclusion to all arts spaces. In addition to his work with The Disability Collective, Nathan is an Access Program Manager for Luminato Festival Toronto, and an Accessibility Coordinator for the Toronto Fringe, and worked as the Programming & Accessibility Coordinator for TO Live. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with his family. Nathan lives and works in Toronto with his wife, Emily, and their two cats, Merry and Pippin.
Reach out to Nathan at nathan@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about money matters, website questions, ticketing and box office, and contracts.
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ALI HAND | Director of Accessibility & Consultation
ALI HAND (she/her) is a disabled theatre artist and disability advocate on a journey with the goal of singing show tunes, telling stories, and making this wild industry inclusive and accessible for those who create and those who consume. Ali studied American Sign Language and Deaf culture at George Brown College, Leadership in Accessibility and Inclusion at Toronto Metropolitan University and musical theatre at Randolph College. Whenever Ali isn't singing or studying, she is most likely spending her time cooking or hiking.
Reach out to Ali at ali@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about accessibility, consultation and services, and partnerships.
SADIE CAHILL | Marketing Manager
SADIE CAHILL (she/her) is a marketing and communications professional with over six years of experience leading creative campaigns across the arts, health, and nonprofit sectors. She currently serves as the Marketing Manager for The Disability Collective (September 2024–present), where she develops accessible marketing strategies that centre inclusion, creativity, and authentic community engagement. Sadie is also the Marketing Manager at City Dance Corps and BrickHouse Productions, and has previously worked as a Social Media and Events Specialist at Thrive Health, Professional Coordinator on the Marketing Team at Rocket Doctor, and as part of the Digital Communications and Engagement Team at the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University. With a background in dance and arts marketing, Sadie brings a collaborative and design-driven approach to storytelling. Her work focuses on creating campaigns that are not only visually compelling but also meaningfully accessible, bridging gaps between organizations and the diverse communities they serve.
Reach out to Sadie at sadie@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about social media, advertising, and promotions.
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LINDA LUARASI | Producer
LINDA LUARASI (she/her) is a disabled arts administrator with experience in program management, event production, and advancing accessibility in the arts and non-profit sectors. She was the Festival Manager of the former ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto, Canada’s largest film festival dedicated to promoting disability cultures, and has supported various professional development initiatives for Deaf and/disabled creatives in the film and TV space, including the inaugural AccessCBC program, the Accessible Writers’ Lab, and the Disabled Producers’ Lab.
She has an HBA in Cinema Studies from the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Institute and resides in Toronto. In her spare time, she can be found watching films and TV shows, ranting to her friends about the state of the world, and meandering around the city in search of delicious pastries.
Reach out to Linda at linda@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about event coordination and execution, artist support, and volunteer coordination.
MACKENZIE SPELLMAN | Development Coordinator
MACKENZIE SPELLMAN (she/her) is both an arts worker and artist. After completing Concordia University’s Screenwriting and Film Producing microprogram, she moved to Toronto to pursue work in the sector. She has expanded her work in film, developing several short films as a writer, director, and producer.
Alongside her creative practice, Mackenzie is a graduate of MacEwan University's Arts and Cultural Management program and has built a career in arts administration, specializing in grant writing, fundraising, communications, and development for organizations across the country.
Believing that supporting the arts is just as important as creating them, Mackenzie brings a balanced perspective to the cultural sector. Whether writing her next screenplay or helping artists access opportunities, she is dedicated to strengthening Canada's artistic community through storytelling and advocacy.
She is currently in pre-production for her fourth short film, “Night Shift”, funded by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Reach out to Mackenzie at mackenzie@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about fundraising, donations, and sponsorship.
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LAURIE-ANNE ROHALY | Metcalf Foundation Intern in Accessibility & Community Engagement
LAURIE-ANNE ROHALY (she/they) is a queer, disabled artist and theatre enthusiast located in Toronto, ON. She is a graduate from the Toronto Metropolitan School of Performance, where she has worked in management, props and wardrobe. She is passionate about creating performances and spaces that are engaging and accessible. In addition to their work at The Disability Collective, they are a stage manager and barista. They strive to explore as many forms of theatre and production as possible and to work with as many artists and creators as possible!
Reach out to Laurie-Anne at laurieanne@thedisabilitycollective.com for inquiries about community communications and outreach and education.