Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser announces new Chair of the Board of Directors

Media Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 18, 2019

Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser is very proud to announce that Mr. Shawn McNaughton has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors for a two year term. In addition, three new directors join the current Board, committed to creating a mentally healthy community while strengthening the impact of CMHA VF on those living with mental health challenges. These volunteers are professionals within our community, dedicated to sharing their experience, knowledge and networks that complement and strengthen the organization.

The role of the Board of Directors is to provide CMHA VF with governance to ensure fiscal responsibility and steer the strategic direction of the organization.

Chair: Shawn McNaughton – as an active participant in promoting mental health initiatives over the past four years, Shawn brings a strong business acumen, extensive experience in finance, sales, marketing and logistics in both the hospitality and consumer-packaged goods world and an ability to motivate his network to support mental health. When not working, he is generally outdoors running or hiking with his wife or spending time at various charity events. Shawn’s sleeves are permanently rolled up, his brain is constantly coming up with new ideas, and his ability to lead and motivate has created numerous personal and professional successes.

New members include:

Mike Shekhtman is a Regional Vice President with Robert Half in British Columbia. As an RVP, he oversees several offices and lines of businesses in BC while managing strategic client development. He is passionate in his non-profit activities and has previously sat as a board member and Chair, Vice President at D.A.R.E BC. He also volunteered for various causes such as Ronald Macdonald House BC, Movember, Canadian Cancer Society and Dress for Success.

Alyssa Wiens is a certified financial planner (CFP) and has been working in the field of finance for 9 years, specializing in retirement planning and corporate tax planning. Having had firsthand experience with the impacts that mental health challenges can create, she has developed a keen interest in promoting mental health awareness, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Ealeen Wong, Expedia Group. Ealeen has been leading strategy for some of the world’s most iconic brands. Her past experiences include international brand management with Procter and Gamble, corporate operations with Aritzia, and collaborative fundraising with non-profits such as United Way. Currently, Ealeen is the Director of Strategy and Business Development for Expedia Group.

The complete list of 2019/20 Board of Directors for Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver-Fraser is as follows:

Shawn McNaughton
Jason Lau
Saira Sabzaali
Vivian Lam
Conny Lin
Nick Neacsu
Zoe Robinson
Mike Shekhtman
Newsha Siouffi
Alyssa Wiens
Ealeen Wong
Sarah Zurbuchen

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About CMHA Vancouver-Fraser

As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness or addiction. We do this by building capacity, influencing policy, providing services and developing resources. Together we positively impact change, creating a community that supports mental health and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness.

We believe everyone deserves to be mentally healthy and live in a healthy community. By offering community-based mental health education, services, and supports for children, youth, adults and seniors, CMHA Vancouver-Fraser contributes to the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities.

We have three pillars of work:

• Wellness and Community Inclusion – We walk alongside people living with mental illness. We support them in reaching their hopes and dreams and living full and contributing lives in their communities.
• Early Intervention and Prevention – We increase young peoples’ mental health knowledge while helping them develop skills to maintain positive mental health and develop confidence to ask for help when they need it.
• Mental Health Promotion – Mental health includes habits and behaviours that build positive mental health, social support networks that we can count on and that have a strong connection to our community. CMHA helps people with these aspects of living a mentally healthy life and reduces the stigma related to mental illness.

Each year in BC alone, CMHA serves more than 100,000 people all across the province.

Media Contact
Cecilia Olmos, Events and Communications Manager, CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch
P: (604) 872-4902 ext. 237 C: (778) 385-3638 Email: cecilia.olmos@cmha.bc.ca