Danielle Campo McLeod, a Paralympic gold medalist, inspirational speaker, and mental health advocate, has been honored as a 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence+ Award Recipient. Her remarkable story of resilience has touched lives across Canada. Diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) at the age of two, Danielle defied all odds to become a world record-breaking swimmer, securing multiple gold medals at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympics.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Danielle transitioned into advocacy and leadership. She has helped to raise over $5 million for neuromuscular disease research as the Director of Culture and Engagement at Muscular Dystrophy Canada. She now serves as the Mental Health Lead at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, working to improve the well-being of students through an inclusive environment.
In 2024, Danielle took the Speaker Slam stage, where her powerful speech on resilience and overcoming adversity earned her the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year. Shortly after, she was honored as a Canada’s Walk of Fame National Hero, solidifying her place as a leading voice in Canada’s advocacy and motivational speaking space.
Her story has been featured on CBC, CTV, Global News, The Social, Breakfast Television, CP24, among others, proving that one speech can change your life. As a mother of five, including two children with SMA, Danielle’s advocacy is deeply personal. Her experiences as a mother inspire her to speak out, encouraging others to embrace their struggles and find their gold medal moments.
