CMHA Ottawa welcomes two new members to its volunteer Board of Directors

Oct 9, 2024

Kate Carkner and Tina Fisher each bring marketing and communications expertise to branch governance table

[Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 – OTTAWA] – The Ottawa branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association recently welcomed two new professionals to its esteemed Board of Directors, which is composed of a distinguished and dedicated group of volunteers with wide-ranging expertise and experience.

On behalf of CMHA Ottawa’s Board Chair, Peter Donnelly; Vice Chair, Lynne Vail; and CEO, Dr. Susan Farrell, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of Kate Carkner and Tina Fisher, who have both joined the Board of Directors for a three-year term.

Kate and Tina’s first meeting at the branch governance table took place on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, when the Board resumed business after its summer hiatus. Kate and Tina each bring significant experience in the fields of marketing and communications—two of the primary areas of focus the agency sought in its spring campaign for new Board membership—as well as experience in advocacy and social change campaigns.

At CMHA Ottawa, we are delighted to welcome these two passionate and talented individuals to our leadership team, and can’t wait to benefit from their wisdom and skills.

About Kate Carkner:

Kate is a passionate and lifelong healthcare advocate, dedicating more than a decade to raising awareness and supporting patients with hemochromatosis in Canada. After founding the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Hemochromatosis Society and leading it from 2014 to 2018, she strengthened local understanding of the genetic condition through awareness-based marketing campaigns and mobilized diverse fundraising campaigns to support the national society. In 2020, she joined the society’s board and assumed the role of President in 2021 where she led the plans for a nationwide awareness tour as well as a strategic planning exercise to set the future direction of the society. 

With a professional background in the Federal Public Service as a Business Strategies Consultant and Policy Analyst, she now advises on policy in the Deputy Minister’s Office at Transport Canada with a focus on major projects.  

In addition to her dedication to public service and healthcare advocacy, Kate actively volunteers in municipal politics and with charitable organizations in Ottawa. 

Amidst her busy schedule, Kate finds joy in spending quality time with her young family. 

About Tina Fisher:

Tina Fisher is a creative and strategic advisor who brings positive energy and fierce determination to promote, protect and enhance brands for local, national and global organizations.  Born and raised in Ottawa, she is committed to giving back to the community and applying public relations expertise to advancing social impact goals.  A graduate of Algonquin College Public Relations and Marketing programs and with studies in Political Science at Carleton University and Social Entrepreneurship at Oxford University, Tina has developed a deep understanding of business, communications, facilitation and social systems. 

With more than 25 years of experience leading campaigns and partnerships in public and private institutions, Tina’s expertise encompasses marketing and communications strategy, donor relations, media and issues management, creative direction, and social media and digital strategies.  Through her leadership roles in media organizations, various agencies, and as a trusted PR consultant to senior executives, she understands the importance of developing trust, with internal and external stakeholders.  
 
Tina currently serves as the Director of Brand Communications and Insights at Queen’s University, where she develops strategies to bolster the institution’s reputation with audiences including students, government, industry, and the local, national and international communities.   

Her work in spearheading communications strategies for anti-hate, harm reduction, sexual violence prevention, and important addiction and mental health programs guides her understanding of the importance of fostering collaboration and cultural inclusivity to achieve goals. Her experience has provided her the opportunity to focus on driving transformative social change, with passion and compassion.  Her interest in social impact includes volunteering with The School of Dance in Ottawa, where she advocates for arts education and empowers differently-abled youth through education and entrepreneurial initiatives. 

Tina is also a certified yoga instructor, holistic nutritionist, life coach practitioner and mindfulness and meditation teacher.  She is a proud mom to two adult children and shares time between Ottawa and Seeley’s Bay, where she lives with her husband, chocolate Labrador retriever, Wille, and cat brothers, Mac and Cheesie. 

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch (CMHA Ottawa), is an independent, community-based non-profit organization that provides services for eligible individuals in the Ottawa area with severe and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorder, many of whom are experiencing chronic homelessness or are vulnerably housed. CMHA Ottawa is dedicated to promoting good mental health, developing and implementing sustainable support systems and services, and encouraging public action to strengthen community mental health services and related policies and legislation.

For media inquiries:
Patrick Jodoin, Manager, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
CMHA Ottawa
613-737-7791 ext. 135 [email protected]