Across St John, women are making a difference every day, strengthening communities through leadership, education, and frontline service. As we continue to recognise International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight the inspiring women whose dedication shapes our organisation and extends our impact.
Today, we shine a spotlight on Maria Mejia from St John Ambulance Canada.
Maria began her journey with St John Ambulance Canada, in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, motivated by her belief that first aid is an essential life skill everyone should have. She quickly progressed into a full-time Instructor role and, within her first year, was recognised as Instructor of the Year after receiving the highest volume of positive learner feedback. Her students consistently praised her ability to make complex material engaging, accessible, and memorable through her approachable teaching style and effective use of humour.
In 2022, Maria expanded her commitment to service by volunteering as a Medical First Responder (MFR). Her early deployments strengthened her dedication to frontline care, earning her recognition as Most Promising New Volunteer in her first year. She went on to take on leadership and operational responsibilities within her unit, supporting training delivery, administration, and mentorship. She later progressed into an MFR Instructor role, formally training and developing future responders.
As Training Coordinator for the Emergency Response Unit, Maria established structured training pathways, developed scenario-based programmes, and introduced leadership and professional development initiatives to enhance operational readiness. In 2024, she coordinated the international redistribution of 30 AEDs, providing critical life-saving equipment to communities in the Caribbean and hospitals in Ukraine.
Today, Maria serves at National Headquarters as the National Training and Client Partnerships Coordinator, while continuing to volunteer as both an MFR and MFR Instructor. Across every role, her passion for education and service remains constant, grounded in her belief that great training does more than save lives it builds confidence, develops leaders, and strengthens communities.
Maria’s story is a powerful example of the impact women continue to make across St John every day.
