CMHA Ontario would like to welcome CMHA Peel’s new Chief Executive Officer, David Smith, to the organization. 
Smith began his career as a frontline community mental health worker, working for several CMHA branches in housing and case management. After he received his MBA, Smith oversaw the integration of five child and adolescent mental health services in the U.K. and later became Associate Director of Operations of the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust where he implemented the National Mental Health Service Framework and introduced Crisis Teams, Early Intervention in Psychosis services, Assertive Community Treatment Teams and Complex Needs services.
During the past seven years, Smith has led the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Community Mental Health and Community Support Services Common Assessment Project team.
With his team, Smith developed common assessment tools and standards, as well as common business processes, for mental health and community support service organizations across the province.
“I’m excited to be joining CMHA Peel,” Smith said. “I look forward to being part of a team that not only provides excellent services and empowers clients, but also actively engages in community development and education around mental health.”
“I would like to congratulate David, and wish him the very best as he begins his new journey with CMHA Peel,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, CMHA Ontario. “I believe he will quickly find that his new colleagues are a very dedicated group of individuals who strive to provide the very best care to those in need in their community.”
“I look forward to working with David to advance the CMHA agenda.”
Smith’s appointment is effective February 3, 2014.