By Maisha Hasan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On March 5, 2025, the YWMCA Hamilton will present their annual Women of Distinction Awards. Their prestigious event honours the women and girls who have made an impactful difference in the Hamilton and Halton community. Here, we get to know Carolyn Rankin-Boutin, one of the eight Halton women honoured with a nomination, a bit better.
Rankin-Boutin is an Ontario-certified teacher, former business leader, and now a non-profit leader in her role as the executive director of the Burlington-based Centre for Diverse Learners. The centre supports varied programs, events, research, and more for neurodiverse learners.
This cause is close to Rankin-Boutin’s heart as someone who was only diagnosed with autism in adulthood; she is using this lived experience to empower others in their own respective journeys.
Alongside her role at the Centre for Diverse Learners (CDL), she volunteers at Hand Up Toronto, a charity that provides food to the Greater Toronto Area without any barriers.
Below, Rankin-Boutin describes her response towards Women of Distinction nomination, her work with CDL, and more.
How did you react to the news of being nominated as one of Halton’s Women of Distinction?
I was so honoured, and when I read the profiles of the other nominees, I felt proud to stand alongside them.
Along your journey to finding out you were neurodivergent, there was much bullying. How has that influenced your approach towards work?
I believe that how a child feels about themselves is central to success. Building and creating opportunities for students to succeed has always been my goal. While I was being bullied, I felt worthless. I remember feeling like I wasn’t meant for this world. I believed there was something intrinsically wrong with me. So, now, I work to create inclusive spaces for neurodiverse youth where they can develop their sense of self-worth, create a sense of belonging, and discover their intrinsic value.
The Centre for Diverse Learners has made great leaps this past year. What is the most notable moment?
One of the elements that makes me most proud is that we have worked to remove barriers, and more low-income families are using our services than ever before. This means more children are learning to embrace their neurodiversity. Low-income students can face barriers to academic success, and knowing that we are breaking down those barriers means the world to me. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, and being a small part of that opportunity drives me.
In contrast, what has been the biggest setback this year? What did it teach you?
The biggest setback has been our inability to serve every child who meets our mandate and wants our services. This has taught me that we need to work to empower all community organizations to serve the neurodiverse population.
What is your strongest quality that makes you a great leader?
I believe as a leader your role is to empower those around you and to understand that different people can be empowered in different ways. Some people need direction, some people need a road map, and others need support. Meeting people where they are at is essential to help lead others to change.
What is a fact beyond accolades you wish people knew about you?
No matter what I’ve done in my career, I still consider myself a teacher, even though I don’t teach in the traditional sense.
The Women of Distinction Awards will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre on March 5 from 6 p.m. onwards. All proceeds go towards funding programs across the Hamilton and Halton areas.
YWCA Hamilton is selling tickets online (click here); the event includes a cocktail reception, the awards gala and dinner, and an after-party. For more information, visit YWCA Hamilton’s website.
