CMHA National announces coming leadership transition

Jan 28, 2025

TORONTO, January 28, 2025—The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) today announced that, after five years of dedicated service, Margaret Eaton plans to step down as Chief Executive Officer of CMHA National. Her last day will be March 31, 2025.

“On behalf of the board, leadership, staff, and the entire Canadian CMHA federation I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for Margaret’s outstanding leadership and commitment, and the significant impact she has made during her time with CMHA,” shared Ross Manning, CMHA National Board Chair.

Under Margaret’s leadership, CMHA National has reached significant achievements such as undertaking meaningful collaboration with the CMHA federation to strengthen collective efforts, positioning CMHA as a leader in the mental health sector and trusted partner of federal decisionmakers, and advancing CMHA’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. These achievements reflect Margaret’s unwavering dedication to CMHA’s vision for a Canada where access to mental health care is a universal human right. 

As CMHA navigates this transition, its national board of directors is searching for a new leader to continue guiding CMHA National forward.

“While the search for Margaret’s successor is underway, CMHA National will ensure a smooth transition and continued progress toward our goals,” added Manning. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Margaret for her many contributions and leadership. Her passion and vision have left a lasting legacy, and we all wish her the best in her future journeys and endeavors.”

About the Canadian Mental Health Association

Founded in 1918, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is the most established, most extensive community mental health federation in Canada. Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and the Yukon. CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive. For more information, visit cmha.ca. 

About Margaret Eaton

Margaret Eaton joined the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) as National CEO in January of 2020. Margaret’s 20+ years of leadership experience in the non-profit sector and her deep compassion for those facing mental health and addiction issues ideally positioned her to move CMHA’s work to address inequities in mental health care across Canada forward. Her openness about her own anxiety and depression helped CMHA create social change by fostering open and honest conversations about mental health and mental health care in Canada. Prior to joining CMHA, Margaret held leadership roles with the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, ABC Life Literacy, the Association of Canadian Publishers, and Magazines Canada. In 2012, Margaret was awarded a Diamond Jubilee medal for contributions to literacy and culture. 

Media contact

Emma Higgins
National Communications Specialist
Canadian Mental Health Association
289-943-7710
[email protected]