Directors

Krista is the commission’s Director, Strategic Initiatives. Krista is also the Canada Liaison for the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership, a collaborative working to spread innovation and best practice and improve mental health and addiction services around the globe.

Krista joined the commission in 2016 with previous experience in research and the delivery of community-based mental health supports. Since then, she has led initiatives in workplace mental health and mental health and substance use health, including 40 research projects exploring the intersection between cannabis and mental health. Krista has also led national research projects, facilitated the uptake of promising practices through knowledge exchange initiatives, developed practical tools and resources, and engaged stakeholders across the county to better support those who are underserved and overlooked.

Sandra has extensive experience in strategic planning, outreach and promotion, and stakeholder relations within the national non-profit health sector and research consulting. During her time at the MHCC, she has developed strategies and led projects to promote awareness and facilitate action on psychological health and safety in workplaces across Canada. Among these projects was leading the national By Health, For Health Collaborative, a group of health leaders seeking to advance workplace mental health in health-care settings. Under her leadership, the MHCC championed the development, release, and ongoing promotion and uptake of the National Standard of Canada for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. Sandra also oversees a range of other population-based initiatives related to the justice system, older adults, and youth.

Nitika is the Commission’s Director of Prevention and Promotion Initiatives and leads programs and initiatives that are focused on suicide prevention, mental wellness, and life promotion. From grass-roots, evidence-informed, capacity-building projects to national initiatives, the Commission is striving to build consensus and drive system transformation.

Nitika has been with the Commission since 2013 and has led several national and international initiatives in the areas of workplace mental health, student mental health, employment for people living with serious mental illness, and suicide prevention. Nitika has extensive experience in strategic planning, program management, stakeholder relations, program evaluation, and knowledge exchange.

Nitika has earned a Master of Science in Biotechnology from Northwestern University in Chicago as well as a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto. She is also a certified health executive and a project management professional. Nitika currently sits on the board of three organizations, namely, Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario, Frayme, and SOCH Mental Health.

In her current role, Vicky leads organization-wide efforts to ensure that performance management and quality improvement programs are developed and managed using a data driven focus. She provides the strategic and tactical direction for the performance management system and ensures alignment of operations with the Strategic Plan.

Vicky also provides leadership for the Provincial-Territorial Advisory Group on Mental Health and Substance Use. This group provides vital insights for the work that MHCC does.

Prior to joining the MHCC Vicky had a proven track record at the national and regional level developing and managing balanced scorecards, evaluating and reporting on organizational performance, managing projects, and collaborating with stakeholders.

Vicky has earned a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa and is a Project Management Professional.

Debra is a senior communications, marketing and government-relations professional with more than twenty years as an executive in the health sector. She has extensive experience in social marketing, advocacy and crisis communications.

Debra sits on the board of Health Partners and is an advisory board member and former COO of the Top Sixty Over Sixty. Debra is a strong advocate of diversity in its many forms. She is a regular contributor to The Catalyst magazine and has just completed the first draft of her book with Helen Hirsh Spence on maximizing potential in later life. Debra obtained her Certified Health Executive designation in 2022 (conferred by the Canadian College of Health Leaders).

Prior to joining the MHCC Debra was the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Canadian Optometrists Association, the Senior Director of Communications and Relations with VON Canada and the Senior Director of External Relations with the Canadian Pharmacists Association.