Toronto – The Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division is pleased to have significant knowledge and expertise from its membership who hail from Thunder Bay.
The 12-member CMHA board includes three representatives from Thunder Bay.
At its most recent meeting on June 4, the board appointed Tom Walters as chair. Walters is currently CEO of the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre in Thunder Bay and before that worked in children’s mental health for 25 years at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay. Walters has been a CMHA Ontario board member since 2013 and has previously served as vice-chair.
Walters is replacing outgoing CMHA Ontario board chair Michael Lewkin, also from Thunder Bay. Chair since 2015, Lewkin has been a board member from 2002 to 2005 and again from 2008 to the present. He has served as chair of the several committees during that time. He remains on the board as the national representative, raising provincial interests with the CMHA National board.
Newly appointed to the CMHA Ontario board is Marcel Gagnon. Gagnon is a chartered professional accountant and Partner at MNP LLP in Thunder Bay. Gagnon has served locally as a board member for CMHA Thunder Bay, the St. Joseph’s Care Group and the Lung Association. He brings his strength in business and governance in the profit and not-for-profit sectors to the CMHA Ontario board and will serve as treasurer.
“I know that Marcel, Michael and I all welcome the opportunity to help shape the strategic direction and governance of CMHA Ontario,” said Walters. “With 30 branches across Ontario, CMHAs play a significant role in the wellbeing and recovery of Ontarians living with a mental health or addiction issue.”
“The board is in good hands under Tom’s guidance,” said Lewkin. “Tom has been committed to the cause of mental health both locally in Thunder Bay and provincewide for many years and the board will benefit greatly from his leadership.”
About CMHA Ontario:
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) works toward a single mission: to make mental health possible for all. The vision of CMHA Ontario is a society that believes mental health is the key to well-being. CMHA Ontario works closely with 30 local branches to serve nearly 100,000 Ontarians across the province every year. Nationally, the CMHA is the oldest, most extensive community mental health organization in Canada, celebrating 100 years in 2018.
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For more information, contact:
Joe Kim
Communications Director
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
T: 416-977-5580, ext. 4141
E: jkim@ontario.cmha.ca