Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada announces new president and CEO

Screen Shot 2015-08-23 at 2.34.24 PMAugust 17, 2015 – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (BBBSC) Board Chair, Bill Adams is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Coleridge as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 12, 2015.

 Prior to joining BBBSC, Mr. Coleridge was the  National CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association where he led the development and implementation of a nation-wide strategic plan to transform the organization as the leader and champion for mental health in collaboration with approximately 10,000 staff and volunteers in over 110 CMHA locations across Canada.

“I am delighted that Peter is joining BBBSC. He brings a very distinguished track record to this position, with both professional and volunteer experience in the health and social services sectors. As President and CEO, Peter will build on our history and vision to set a clear path forward for the organization to achieve its next level of growth and impact.” says  Adams.

Mr. Coleridge said: “I am honoured to be joining BBBSC as its President and CEO, and look forward to working with the movement to enhance the BBBSC vision and mission to improve health and social outcomes for young people, to enhance the organization’s position as a leader and champion for mentoring in Canada, and, in doing so, to help our society reach its full potential.“  

Mr. Adams also noted:  “I believe Peter is the right person to be the next President and CEO of BBBSC.  He has a demonstrated track record in leadership and transformational change, business development, fundraising, social marketing, strategic communication, branding, public policy, education, research, and partnership development.  He is one of our country’s most experienced leaders in the health and social services sectors, and it’s a vote of confidence in BBBSC that he will lead the organization into the future.” 

Mr. Coleridge has held other leadership positions including:  Vice President, Education and Population Health,  Mental Health and Addiction Services and Senior Advisor, Provincial Health Services Authority, British Columbia;  Vice-President, Communications, Education and Health Promotion, Centre for Addiction and Mental, Ontario;  and senior management positions with the former Addiction Research Foundation, and the Health Promotion Branch and Substance Abuse Bureau, Ontario Ministry of Health.

 

Mr. Coleridge graduated with a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Memorial University in Newfoundland, and received his Master’s Degree in Health Science (Health Promotion) from the University of Toronto. He has also completed an Executive Health Leadership Program, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, in partnership with the Change Foundation and the Kings Fund in England. 

Mr. Coleridge has served on several not-for-profit Boards and currently serves on the Board of Directors, Partners for Mental Health.  He has also served as a Special Advisor, Global Economic Roundtable on Mental Health and Addiction.  He was a founding member of the Canadian Executive Council on Addictions, and has held academic appointments with the University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University.

Mr. Adams also highlighted that “the Board thanks Karen Shaver for her leadership and service as Interim President and CEO over these past several months and looks forward to her continued valued contribution to the organization in her role as Vice President, Agency Services.”

Contact:  Jackie Skinner, Business Support Coordinator, 1 800 263 9133 ext 26,         Jackie.Skinner@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca