Kathy Spence
Hometown: Toronto, ON
Occupation: Corporate Professional
Kathy Spence is a multidisciplinary artist, corporate professional, and community‑driven leader whose inimitable presence is felt long before she speaks. Rooted in creativity and shaped by curiosity, she has spent her life moving fluidly between the worlds of art, academia, and service — collecting experiences that have broadened her perspective and deepened her sense of purpose. Her journey has never been defined by a single path; instead, it has been guided by a commitment to growth, a love of learning, and an unwavering belief in the power of showing up fully in every space she enters. Growing up, Kathy was always drawn to environments that encouraged her to grow. Whether honing her craft in the arts or pushing her limits in sport, she consistently embraced opportunities that stretched her abilities. These early experiences cemented her belief that participation in diverse extracurricular pursuits develops far more than skill — it cultivates discipline, resilience, teamwork, and a deep sense of dedication. These qualities have shaped her into the multifaceted leader and artist she is today.
A lifelong advocate for education, Kathy’s academic journey reflects both her determination and her intellectual curiosity. As a neurodivergent learner, she discovered early on that traditional methods didn’t always align with how she processed the world. Rather than allowing this to hinder her, she embraced it — developing personalized learning strategies that fueled her passion for continuous growth, and now holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, a Master’s Degree in Public and International Affairs, and a Juris Doctor in Law. Kathy is also conversational in French and Spanish and earned a range of certifications, including teaching credentials in dance, boxing, and Zumba, as well as Mental Health First Aid and PADI Open Water Diver certification. Her academic and professional breadth reflects a commitment to intellectual excellence and continuous personal development. Kathy’s heart, however, has always belonged to service — a journey that began in her teens. Over the years, she has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours to charitable organizations both locally and internationally, helping to raise over $8million dollars for causes close to her heart. After traveling to Nicaragua to help build homes in developing communities, she witnessed firsthand the country’s ongoing water crisis — where rural families often rely on contaminated sources due to limited infrastructure, widespread pollution, and the devastating impacts of climate‑driven disasters. Moved by the inequity, she created her first non‑profit organization, Dream Catchers, to help expand access to clean and reliable water. Since then, she has helped provide clean water access with eleven community‑scale rain‑catchment systems. Seeing the real impact she could have to improve the lives of others, she went on to create her second initiative, Feeling Outloud — a self‑esteem and mental‑health movement inspired by her own experiences and her belief that creative expression can be a powerful pathway to healing. Designed to reach the modern‑day empath through the arts and guided by an unwavering belief in the power of confidence and connection, Kathy continues to grow this movement as a platform that empowers others to rise, creating spaces where individuals feel seen and supported as they move through moments of growth and self-discovery.
Kathy’s life has also been shaped by profound challenges, including a personal journey with ovarian cancer. Her experience navigating illness and recovery deepened her perspective, strengthening the values she now carries into every aspect of her work and service. Now in remission, her healing marked a quiet turning point, reshaping the way she understood resilience, leadership, and the responsibility of using her voice with intention. Adversity revealed a deeper inner strength — one that sharpened her clarity and affirmed her belief that challenges can become catalysts for meaningful change. Gratitude became her compass, reminding her that every moment, even the difficult ones, holds the potential to uplift others, inspire empathy, and create spaces where people feel empowered to rise.
Despite common misconceptions about pageantry, Kathy has experienced firsthand that this competition honours women of intelligence, strength, and substance. Through her experiences and education, she is prepared to take on the responsibility of representing Canada on the world stage — embodying the power of possibility and proving that with courage, compassion, and gratitude, we can rise beyond circumstance and create impact that lasts a lifetime.
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What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
The work I feel called toward blends social impact with community‑centered strategy. I want to design solutions that expand access, cultivate opportunity, and elevate perspectives that have long been overlooked. I am inspired by the chance to shape environments where fairness, compassion, and long‑term thinking guide decision‑making.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
My special training includes vocal training, choir, piano, guitar, violin, and songwriting; dance, Zumba, acting for stage and camera, improvisation, and musical theatre; drawing, painting, pottery, sculpture, photography, videography, graphic design, and content creation; creative writing, poetry, spoken word, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, marketing, communications, public speaking, and debate; sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery; as well as boxing instruction, Mental Health First Aid, and PADI Open Water Diver certification.
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
Movement has always been a language for me, so I have explored it in many forms – dance, football, soccer, tennis, track and field, boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, HYROX, softball, marathon running, horseback riding, kayaking, wakeboarding, skiing, archery, and fencing. Each one has challenged me in its own way and taught me something new about discipline, resilience, and strength.
And because nature has always felt like home, I have also embraced outdoor sports that allow connection to the world around me — hiking, skydiving, and bungee jumping among them. Those moments in nature ground me, remind me to breathe, and reconnect me to something bigger than myself.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
My grandmother.
She was compassionate, empathetic, and unapologetically herself, and watching her move through life with such authenticity inspired me more than she ever knew.
Some of my favourite life memories are of us talking for hours — long, winding conversations that stretched across afternoons and late nights, where we laughed until our bellies ached. She listened with a kind of patience and presence that made the world feel softer. As I grew older, our bond only deepened, and we collected adventures together, big and small, and she remained as someone I could always turn to with my whole heart – who made me feel truly understood.
When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she was the first person I felt comfortable enough to bring with me to chemotherapy. Her presence made even the hardest days feel bearable. She had a way of filling a room with calm, humour and love that asked for nothing in return.
She taught me what it means to lead with kindness, to stay rooted in who you are, and to love people in a way that makes them feel seen. Her influence is woven into every part of my life, and I carry her with me in everything I do.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment is building two community‑driven initiatives that have created real, lasting change.
Dream Catchers began with a single moment of awareness — witnessing the realities of the water crisis in Nicaragua grew into a project that now supports clean‑water access through multiple community rain‑catchment systems, proving that meaningful impact often starts with one decision to make real change.
My second initiative, Feeling Outloud, holds a different kind of significance. What began as a small idea rooted in self-experiences, has evolved into a mental‑health and self‑esteem driven movement that helps people feel understood, supported, and connected. Together, these two projects reflect the work I am most proud of: transforming compassion into action and creating spaces where others can thrive.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
A fun and unusual fact about me is that I won the last and final LG National Texting Championship — yes, a real competition where people gathered to see who could text the fastest and most accurately under pressure! The finals took place at a glitzy, televised event right in the middle of Yonge and Dundas Square, complete with bright lights, cheering crowds, and cameras everywhere. I took home a prize of $25,000 and an all‑expenses‑paid trip to New York City to compete at the international competition. The winning challenge included texting “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” — backwards. And since the competition hasn’t been held again since, I like to say I’m still the reigning champion!
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
My career ambition is to serve in a leadership role in social impact and community strategy, where I can help shape frameworks that embed equity, community engagement, and measurable social outcomes into large‑scale initiatives. I am particularly drawn to work that integrates Learning & Development and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, while also aligning with ESG principles. My academic background and philanthropic experience continue to prepare me for this path, allowing me to build the skills needed to lead thoughtful, community‑centered strategies.
Alongside this work, I intend to take on ad‑hoc cases in social justice and civil rights law. My lived experiences, and those of the people around me, combined with my legal training, have deepened my commitment to advocating for individuals and communities facing discrimination, inequity, or barriers to fair representation. By supporting matters tied to human rights, access, and systemic challenges, I hope to use my legal knowledge to help ensure that more people receive compassionate, culturally informed, and equitable support. This reflects my belief that justice is not only a legal principle—it is a responsibility carried through service, empathy, and meaningful action.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job would be to serve as a Chief Impact & Community Strategy Officer, leading a team that helps an organization build meaningful, people‑focused initiatives. I am inspired by roles that blend leadership with purpose—bringing communities into the conversation, shaping thoughtful partnerships, and ensuring that major projects genuinely support those they are meant to serve. Simultaneously, I would carry forward my commitment to justice by taking on selective social justice and civil rights matters, where I am able to use my legal training to stand with individuals and communities seeking fairness and dignity.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I am a proud second-generation Canadian with Caribbean and South American roots, and I am so grateful that my worldview has been shaped by the richness of my heritage. Not only has it taught me the value of diversity and resilience, but also the boundless possibility found in community.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
One of the most interesting roles I have had has been working in photography, videography, and content creation — a job that allowed me to tell stories from behind the lens and witness extraordinary moments up close. I have had the privilege of photographing individuals such as Ayesha Curry, Amaarae, Drake, Bryson Tiller, Daniel Caesar, Machel Montano, Mariah the Scientist, SZA, J. Cole, Adele, Chris Brown, and many more. Each project has felt like stepping into a different world, capturing emotion in motion and preserving the energy of people who inspire millions.
List any volunteering you have done.
I have had the opportunity to volunteer with a wide range of organizations over the years, supporting causes related to youth empowerment, community development, health, human rights, and environmental advocacy.
My involvement has included work with groups such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Action Foundation, North York Harvest Food Bank, Greenpeace, CNIB, Variety Village, Free the Children, the United Nations, One Young World, Plan International, the Canadian Red Cross, SickKids Foundation, the Sickle Cell Group of Ontario, Animal Aid & Rescue, Fred Victor, Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, World Vision, the Salvation Army, and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Each experience has shaped my commitment to service and strengthened my belief in the impact that collective action can have on communities.
What is your most unusual talent?
One of my most distinctive abilities is emotional intelligence. I intuitively adjust in ways that help people feel acknowledged and at ease, and it has shaped how I lead and connect. In professional environments and community spaces alike, it allows me to navigate conversations with intention and foster environments where people feel respected and heard.
This awareness has been especially powerful in mentorship and service. By meeting people where they are, I’m able to guide and support them in ways that feel genuine and lasting. It has helped me cultivate strong, meaningful relationships and build a network rooted in authenticity rather than convenience. In volunteering and charitable work, that sensitivity ensures I’m not just offering assistance—I’m offering understanding.
In my experience, the ability to truly see and value people is rare. And when used with intention, it becomes one of the most impactful talents of all.
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
One of the most unforgettable places I’ve ever visited is Peru, a country that feels both ancient and alive in every moment. There’s a quiet magic woven into its landscapes — from the colours of the markets to the stillness of the Sacred Valley. What stayed with me most was the spirit of the Peruvian people: grounded, warm, and deeply connected to their heritage. Their pride, their resilience, and their generosity make you feel welcomed not as a visitor, but as someone invited into a living legacy. Peru is a place where culture is not just preserved — it’s lived. And being there reminded me how powerful it is when a community honours its past while embracing its future with heart.
Peru will also always hold a special place in my heart, because one of my most incredible lifelong memories was hiking the trail to Machu Picchu. Moving through those mountains felt like walking through history — surrounded by stories carved into stone and carried through generations. It’s an experience that stays with you, not only for its beauty, but for the deep sense of reverence it inspires.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In ten years, I envision myself continuing to live a life rooted in love, purpose, and global impact.
Professionally, I hope to serve as a Chief Impact & Community Strategy Officer, leading initiatives that strengthen communities, expand access to opportunity, and advance equity. I also plan to continue my legal advocacy through civil rights and social justice cases, using my training to support individuals and communities facing systemic barriers. I also aspire to have completed my PhD and pursued additional avenues for learning, development, and growth.
Within the community I would like to continue building meaningful work through my nonprofit initiatives and remain deeply involved in the volunteer efforts that shaped me — partnering with organizations around the world and supporting causes aligned with equity, education, and human rights.
Finally, I hope to look back knowing I had the honour of being crowned Miss Universe Canada — not just for the title, but for the platform it provides to amplify important conversations, inspire young women, and represent Canada on the global stage.
Is there anything you would like to add that we haven’t asked?
I see pageantry as a space that celebrates intelligence, resilience, and compassion alongside beauty. It calls women to step forward with courage and to lead with purpose. Through that lens, becoming Miss Universe Canada would mean far more than earning a title, it would mean accepting a responsibility that extends beyond myself. It is a commitment to lead with integrity, to communicate with clarity, and to use every opportunity to uplift others while reflecting Canada’s diversity, strength, and evolving voice on the world stage.