Leanne Henwood-Adam: 35 Years Shaping Fitness and Wellness at Humber

Honouring three and a half decades of leadership, care, and community impact.

At Humber Polytechnic's North Campus Fitness Centre, a steady presence is woven into the walls, the programs, and the people themselves. That presence is Leanne Henwood-Adam.

This January, Leanne reached an extraordinary milestone—35 years at Humber. It's a number that reflects not just longevity, but a career defined by purpose, leadership, and a deep commitment to student and staff well-being.

Leanne began her journey when the Fitness Centre looked very different from what students know today. In its earliest days, fitness programming lived in the gym, squash courts, and spaces now occupied by Therapy Services. As Humber grew, Leanne helped guide that growth. She played a key role in designing and outfitting every expansion of the Fitness Centre, ensuring each evolution reflected accessibility, functionality, and a welcoming environment. The modern facility is, in many ways, a physical timeline of her vision.

"Leanne's impact on Fitness and Recreation at Humber is immeasurable," said Ray Chateau, Director of Athletics. "She has been instrumental in shaping our fitness and wellness culture for decades, always leading with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering focus on student success."

Beyond the space itself, Leanne helped shape how the Fitness Centre operates. She developed and implemented policies and standards for fitness classes, personal training services, and facility operations, ensuring a consistent, professional experience for all users. She also helped write the original Fitness Staff Training Manuals, setting clear expectations and quality standards that continue to influence operations today. Over the years, she scouted, recruited, trained, and mentored countless fitness staff—many of whom credit Leanne as a foundational influence in their careers.

Students have always been central to Leanne's work. Before Humber launched its Fitness & Health Promotion program, Leanne served as Program Coordinator for the Fitness Leadership Certificate, helping design and lead a program that laid the foundation for what would later become the full diploma. She created and led student engagement initiatives such as Stop Smoking, Weight Loss programs, Walking Challenges, and the "Track Your Goals" initiative—efforts designed to meet students where they were on their wellness journey. She also offered numerous placement opportunities to Humber and Guelph-Humber students, providing hands-on experience that bridged classroom learning and industry practice.

"Leanne has an incredible ability to connect with students and staff alike," said James DePoe, Manager, North Campus Athletic Facilities. "Her leadership is thoughtful and steady, and she genuinely cares about creating an environment where everyone feels supported and welcome. The Fitness Centre simply wouldn't be what it is today without her."

Leanne's impact reaches well beyond physical fitness. She co-implemented the Mood Walks program with Agnes Coutinho, Assistant Program Head, Kinesiology, bringing a CAMH-designed mental wellness initiative to campus that encourages movement, nature, and reflection. She taught the Bring in the Bystander program, helping foster a safer, more aware campus culture. Her collaborations with Recreation ensured fitness was a key component of campus-wide events such as Hawkfest, Winterfest, and GLOW.

Her passion for community wellness is visible across campus. Leanne partnered with the Student Wellness Centre and the Arboretum to host creative, community-based events such as rock painting. She designed and implemented the Kindness Rock Garden, securing a prominent location near the LRC—a lasting reminder that wellness includes compassion and connection. She also helped launch and organize the Spin-a-Thon for United Way and spearheaded the Books for Bucks charity program, aligning movement with meaningful causes.

Leanne has consistently shared her expertise beyond Humber. She has written and published articles in Canfitpro magazine and designed and facilitated wellness workshops with HR, including Lunch & Learn sessions for staff. A long-standing member of the Support Staff Appreciation Week (SSAW) Committee, she also led and facilitated many workshops during the annual celebration, helping recognize and uplift Humber's support staff community.

Alongside her work at Humber, Leanne has spent 25 years teaching with Canfitpro as a PRO TRAINER, delivering certification programs in personal training, healthy eating, weight-loss coaching, and First Aid & CPR. Many of these certifications were offered at Humber, helping students become career-ready. Her extensive credentials—spanning holistic nutrition, fitness education, rehabilitation, and mindfulness—reflect a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching.

In recent years, Leanne has continued to adapt and innovate. She implemented and manages the Fitness Centre's social media presence, strengthening engagement and visibility. She also designed and produced the promotional videos "Fitness is for Everyone" and "Love the Body You're In," reinforcing her long-standing commitment to inclusivity, self-acceptance, and belonging.

Now, as a featured presenter in the newly revised Active Aging Certification course with Canfitpro, Leanne's expertise will reach an even broader audience—supporting healthy aging through thoughtful, compassionate education.

After 35 years, Leanne Henwood-Adam's legacy is not measured solely by the facilities built or programs launched. It lives in the confidence of first-time gym users, the careers of former students, and the culture of care that defines Humber's Fitness Centre. Her work has shaped not just a space—but a community.