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Black woman with straight shoulder-length hair. She is smiling and wearing glasses.

Andrea Zackary

Andrea Zackary identifies as Oral Deaf and is considered a mentor within the community. She is a former Deaf Olympian and World Championship qualifier in track and field. 

“I’m deaf and always feels that people with disabilities are not treated fairly. Being involved in advocacy work with people with disability is a safe space for me to support everyone.”

Andrea Zackary identifies as Oral Deaf and is considered a mentor within the community. She is a former Deaf Olympian and World Championship qualifier in track and field. Andrea holds a diploma in Hotel & Restaurant Management and has worked in the hospitality industry for ten years.

She started to lose her hearing around the age of 6, and became completely deaf at the age of 25. As a result, she lost her job as a front desk agent. She then pursued training as a Personal Support Worker within the Deaf community.

In 2014, Andrea took a leap of faith and entered the world of entrepreneurship starting Def Events & Beyond, which hosts community events to bring together Deaf/Hard of hearing as well as hearing people in an ASL-friendly social atmosphere. Her company has garnered many awards since its inception, including CTV’s Young Professional of the year award, Brampton Board of trade’s Top 40 Under 40, and the city of Brampton Accessibility Award in Business.

I have been an active member of the deaf community, and I continue to fight for equal communication access.

Andrea believes it’s important to help others, and she holds board positions with the Ontario Association for the Deaf (director at large); Black Deaf Canada (Treasurer); and with the Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (Community Liaison).

Andrea is a loving mother to five beautiful girls and wife of 12 years to a wonderful husband. She enjoys some alone time reading, long nature walks. And of course, shopping.

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