Rising above:
Katie Pegg’s Paralympic journey
Future Alum
By Gail Lethbridge
As Saint Mary’s University student Katie Pegg emerged from the tunnel of Stade de France for her Paralympic debut in front of tens of thousands of fans in Paris, she knew what she had to do: show them what she was made of.
She wanted to prove to the fans, fellow athletes, her family and the SMU community back home in Nova Scotia that she could overcome challenges, adapt and tap into the resilience that had brought her to this moment—the pinnacle of her sports career and the highlight of her life.
And show them, she did.
"Before stepping on the field at the Stade de France, one of my teammates told me to look out into the stands and see all the supporters and fans," said Pegg. "I looked up for my parents and grandparents in the stands. It was mind-boggling."
When Pegg spotted her family above the tunnel and heard her mother’s voice cheering above the stadium's roar, she knew she had this. It was a sweet moment for the 20-year-old, who was born without a radial bone in her right forearm.
Now, here she was competing on the world stage in Women’s F46 Shot Put—a category for athletes with upper limb impairments. She was one of 126 Canadian para athletes who qualified to compete in the Paris Paralympic Games this past summer.
A year earlier, Pegg had no idea her disability would make her eligible to represent Canada in the Paralympic Games. She had always perceived the Paralympics as being for athletes in wheelchairs.
Much to her surprise, she learned that the Women’s F46 shot put event is open to athletes with impairments like her own, classifying her as a para athlete.
Another surprising part of her journey was that she had only recently returned to shot put while attending Saint Mary's. She had participated in the sport for six years in elementary and junior high school in her hometown of Scarborough, Ontario, before switching to tackle football, where she became the only female athlete on the Scarborough Thunder High School team. This was not a league for para athletes or women, but Pegg applied her focus, athleticism and adaptability so she could play.
When she arrived at Saint Mary’s in 2022, she joined the men’s football team as a line videographer, recording practices and games. Her experience and knowledge of the game provided valuable insights for players and coaches during their training.
She also played on the Halifax Xplosions Women's Tackle Football team. But in September 2023, after seeing the SMU track and field team practicing, Pegg decided to return to shot put. She joined the team, rekindling her love for the sport and soon after, qualified for the Canadian Paralympic team.
Pegg says she has drawn upon a lifetime of adapting and working around challenges.
“Most of my life is about adapting,” she said. “If something doesn’t work for me, I adapt and find another way. Day to day, I’ve struggled because of the size of my arm. I couldn’t do the monkey bars with the other kids. Weightlifting was also a big struggle because you need both arms. I had muscle imbalances left and right. That taught me about my impairment. I use a prosthetic to help me lift weights.”
Pegg describes her Paralympic experience as rich and rewarding. She forged friendships with fellow athletes from Canada and around the world.
“It’s a tight-knit community and you make friends with people who have faced and tackled challenges.”
Pegg said that during the competition nerves got the better of her and she “muscled” her throws, meaning she leaned more on her strength rather than letting her technique guide her performance.
But for Pegg, the true achievement was making it to the Paralympics. Her key takeaway? "Take a moment to breathe. Go slow and breathe before you throw the shot put.” This lesson, she says, has helped her in other aspects of her life.
Now in her third year of a Bachelor of Science, majoring in biology, Pegg is also pursuing a certificate in forensic science with a minor in anthropology. When she finishes at Saint Mary’s, she hopes to become an educator and coach students who also face challenges.
Pegg aims to compete in the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
“Being able to throw in front of that many people with other talented athletes was such an amazing experience,” she said. “At the end of the day, it was more than just throwing. It was about knocking down barriers and creating a pathway for athletes, showing them an environment where they can do anything they want.”
A donation from the Kathy Mullane Fund for Varsity Women's Sports supported Pegg's journey through a grant that allowed her coach, Jodi Langley, to travel with her to the Paris Paralympics this past summer. The fund was established to support initiatives that advance women in sport at Saint Mary's. You can help support our women athletes by donating to the Kathy Mullane Fund for Varsity Women's Sports today.
A champion for authentic careers and mentorship
Chantal Brine BA’09 CertHRM’09
By Jennifer Ashton
Chantal Brine BA’09 CertHRM’09, Owner and CEO of EnPoint, is a trailblazer in the mentorship and career development space. Over the past six and a half years, her Halifax-based company has been guiding people toward fulfilling, authentic careers. "Our ethos is to help people show up authentically, add value, and feel valued in their work," she said. Working with companies, post-secondary institutions and nonprofits, EnPoint has seen the ripple effect that purposeful careers create for individuals and organizations alike.
As an impact-focused company, EnPoint stands out, working towards an ambitious goal: helping one million people find career satisfaction. Already a quarter of the way there, the team is committed to working with like-minded organizations to amplify the positive effects of mentorship and career development across Canada. "We want to work with people whose values align with ours." Through their business-to-business model, EnPoint helps organizations unlock the potential in their people, aiming to make the world a better place through collective impact.
Reflecting on her time at Saint Mary’s, Chantal credits the university’s co-op program and her advisors for helping her explore meaningful career options. Originally unsure about her path, her advisor suggested adding a Human Resources Certificate, which proved invaluable.
Encouraged to think critically by approachable professors, she gained both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, from working with a one-person consulting company to serving as a Teaching Assistant.
"Saint Mary’s doesn’t just encourage book learning; it gives you the chance to explore," she shared. The university’s emphasis on real-world experience prepared her to navigate the unknown and take bold career steps.
For students considering a similar path, Chantal emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and being open to the unknown. “Test it all,” she advised. “Find out what you love and what you don’t. The demand for skills and talent is always evolving, so take electives that stretch you.” She encourages students to take full advantage of co-op programs and any work-integrated experiences to uncover their unique strengths and passions.
As a frequent employer of co-op students, Chantal values an entrepreneurial spirit, a growth mindset and a strong work ethic. "We’re a small team with a big mission, so adaptability and empathy are key." Her hiring philosophy emphasizes transparency: she looks for passionate, committed individuals who are ready to take on diverse challenges and who value the diversity of her clients' needs.
Reflecting on her university experience, Chantal wishes she had understood the value of growth and resilience earlier. “Improvement is a great word, and mistakes are okay if you learn from them.” Her advice for future students? Don’t shy away from creative abrasion—it’s a path to growth and discovery.
Chantal’s journey from a Saint Mary’s graduate to the CEO of an impact-driven company is a testament to the power of mentorship, self-awareness and a passion for creating meaningful work. Her story inspires a new generation of students to approach their careers with curiosity, empathy and a commitment to positive impact.
Leading change and empowering Black businesses through the Black Business Initiative
Matthew Martel MTEI’18
As CEO of the Black Business Initiative (BBI), Matthew Martel MTEI’18 reflects on how his time at Saint Mary’s University set the foundation for his leadership journey. BBI, one of Canada’s leading organizations for Black entrepreneurs, supports Black businesses through its youth charity arm, Business is Jammin’, and its for-profit consulting division, Black Business Consulting. Under Martel’s leadership, the organization continues to spark innovation and success for Black-owned businesses across the country.
Since earning his Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MTEI) in 2018, Martel has been at the forefront of expanding BBI’s impact. “The MTEI program gave me a modern perspective on what businesses need to thrive, and it prepared me well for my role as CEO,” said Martel. “BBI has been successful for 28 years, and since becoming CEO in 2022, I’ve been focused on building on that success—keeping ahead of trends and ensuring we bring the best possible benefits to the Black community in Atlantic Canada and beyond.”
One of the organization’s key initiatives, the Supporting Black Canadians Initiative (SBCI), includes two primary funding streams: the Capacity Building Program (CBP), which supports projects to strengthen governance, operational management and access to funding, and the Capital Assistance Program (CAP), which funds capital projects like facility upgrades, equipment purchases and accessibility improvements. Additionally, SBCI supports emerging priorities, empowering Black communities and reinforcing shared infrastructure across Canada. “Through BBI’s role in this initiative, we’re committed to building resilient, well-equipped organizations within Black communities.”
Through his studies, Martel gained critical leadership skills and a solid foundation in finance—both of which have been essential in his role. Reflecting on his Saint Mary’s experience, Martel speaks proudly of the lasting connections and community involvement that continue to shape his career. “The youth summits held at Saint Mary’s are something I take great pride in. I also recently completed the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) program at the university. The leadership skills and community development perspectives I gained have been invaluable, both in my organization and in other community-based initiatives I’m involved in.”
As an employer Martel looks for specific traits in new graduates. “We’re always on the lookout for critical thinkers, risk-takers, collaborators and those who aren’t afraid to make decisions.”
His advice to students? “Success is all about relationships. Go in with the intention of building lifelong connections and remember, you bring value to the institution as well. Keep an open mind and contribute to the broader community with your ideas.” For young people from his community who are considering a similar career path, he offered this: “Trust the process. It’s rare that things happen as quickly as you’d like. A single interaction can change your world—so take risks and make thoughtful choices.”
As he continues to guide BBI into the future, Martel remains deeply committed to empowering Black businesses and not-for-profits across Canada. “BBI is the steward of federal funds for Black nonprofits in Canada, and we’re focused on fostering employer engagement and sparking interest in the work we do.”
Guided by the strong foundation he gained at Saint Mary’s, Matthew Martel exemplifies the power of community, education and bold leadership in shaping a brighter future.
The limitless pursuit of curiosity and achievement
Stephen Pellerine BA’95
By Renée Hartleib
A multipotentialite. That’s one way to describe the incredibly diverse set of skills and interests held by Stephen Pellerine BA’95. Educator, drummer, photographer, runner, make-up artist, fashion designer, novelist. You name it and Stephen has likely tried it. And probably excelled at it.
Born in Halifax and raised in Lower Sackville, this SMU grad has lived and worked in nine countries. For the last seven years, he has been employed in Shenzhen, China, first as a lecturer and now as an esteemed Principal at an international school.
There is a single moment in grade four—looking at a book filled with images of straw and dung huts from around the world—that he credits with sparking a deep curiosity about the world, geography and humanity. In fact, when he chose Saint Mary’s, his plan was to study geography with the aim of learning about global societies. Along the way, he became fascinated with human psychology and ended up doing a double major and volunteering his time at Camp Hill as a Psychiatric Recreational Assistant.
“My time at Saint Mary's was absolutely transformative,” said Stephen. “I felt like I was offered an abundance of opportunities that ended up shaping me both academically and personally.”
One of his big passions while at SMU was sports, specifically track. He ran the 1500 and 3000 for the Huskies but also competed in his first marathon and several Ironman events. Stephen’s days at Saint Mary’s were filled with cool brisk mornings on the track, daily gym visits and long runs at Point Pleasant Park. He also spent countless hours in the Map Library, fantasizing about far-flung future travels. These dreams would soon become reality.
On the day of his final exam, Stephen set off on a cross-Canada trip with a friend, ending up in Banff. There, he worked as a maintenance worker at the historic Banff Springs Hotel, balancing water chemistry for its 13 pools.
One day, while at the Banff Public Library, he found a coffee table book on East Africa. “There was a striking image of Dar es Salaam that caught my attention. Then I realized it was a job ad for an international school.” This was 1996 and pre-internet, so Stephen copied the address, penned a letter, and shortly thereafter, received a job offer in Tanzania.
But before he could pack his bags and get his vaccinations, he had a fortuitous encounter with Dr. Jane Goodall who came to speak at the University of Calgary. She told him about her Roots and Shoots program happening in Dar es Salaam and Stephen was stoked to participate.
“When I look back on this time, it felt like I was taking the first step on a path to follow my heart and try and make a difference in the world.”
During his time in Tanzania, Stephen became a Head Master and taught geography, biology and English. It was his first time living abroad, and there were many new realities that he could never have prepared himself for, such as contracting malaria, surviving dysentery and being robbed! But he was also an avid participant in the Roots and Shoots program, participating in community clean-ups and biodiversity walks, as well as having the great honour of hanging out with Dr. Goodall, and many international interns, at her home.
Over the next few years, emboldened by his success teaching at an international school in a foreign country, Stephen moved to Japan and taught at a language school there. He also had a stint at a Technology College in the United Arab Emirates.
Despite becoming an accomplished teacher, Stephen's pursuit of higher education still called to him. In his own words, “I am just super curious about so many things.” This curiosity led Stephen to complete three Master's degrees, earn two Engineering diplomas from Stanford and receive certification and training in photography, make-up art and fashion design.
In addition to his academic and professional success, he has also written two novels, a memoir and a book of poetry; learned how to solo skydive and scuba dive; run 15 marathons; and crossed Canada twice on a bicycle!
When asked how he finds time for it all, Stephen admits that sleeping sometimes takes a backseat. “I do sleep, and sleep deep, but when I’m learning things I tend to focus and go hard. The key to doing a lot is a good deep sleep with the ability to not sleep should priorities get in the way.”
As the current Principal of the RDF International School in China, Stephen recently made Forbes' top 10 Head Masters in China list. He oversees the well-being and academic progress of 350 students and manages a team of 100 staff members.
“We have an amazing team of educators here, all who are dedicated to providing quality education and supporting our students as they pursue their dreams.” His greatest joy is seeing the unique and positive impacts his students go on to make in the world.
Even though he is obviously busy, he still makes time to return to his Alma Mater. During Stephen’s last visit to Saint Mary’s, he walked the halls and reminisced, but he also bought a SMU banner, t-shirt and cap, which he proudly wears at home in China.
“I love showing my support for Saint Mary’s. The school has been such an incredible part of my life and I am deeply grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I had while studying there.”
