We employ professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds including health sciences, evaluation, research, knowledge exchange, communications, administration and more.
Our executive sets our entire team up for success. These individuals set direction, seek out emerging trends and work to inform practice and policy initiatives across the sector.
Executive Director
Nicholas's bio |
Nicholas Watters (he/him) is the executive director for the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions (the Knowledge Institute). Nicholas holds bachelor degrees in Political Science and Communication Studies from the University of Windsor, a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Business, and a Certified Health Executive designation from the Canadian College of Health Leaders. In 2022, Nicholas received eMHIC’s Lifetime Achievement Award for e-mental health development, implementation, and forward-thinking leadership. In 2018, he won the Great Canadian Healthcare debate, moderated by André Picard at the Canadian College of Health Leaders Conference. His winning topic was universal mental health care for all. |
Director, Operations and Support Services
Melissa's bio |
Melissa Jennings (she/her) is the director of operations and support services at the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions (the Knowledge Institute). Melissa holds a master’s degree in child studies and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Early in her career, she was involved in a range of program evaluation and community-based research initiatives in the areas of school-age childcare, early years, social-emotional learning, violence against women and programming for seniors. Melissa joined the Knowledge Institute’s leadership team in 2012 and has led the evaluation support program, the knowledge broker team and most recently key internal planning- and performance-related activities. Melissa oversees the Knowledge Institute’s operations. |
Director, Research and Knowledge Mobilization
Amy's bio |
Dr. Amy Porath (PhD, CHE) is the Director of Research and Knowledge Mobilization at the Knowledge Institute on Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and as an Investigator at the CHEO Research Institute. An alumna of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, Amy is an internationally recognized expert in substance use health research and knowledge mobilization. With more than 22 years of experience, government officials, NGOs, top-tier media and communities regularly seek her expertise. Her strategic leadership in providing evidence to help Canadians make informed decisions about cannabis earned her a spot on Canada’s Top 100 Health Influencers list in 2019 and 2020. Committed to advancing high-quality care, Amy advises on system transformation across child and youth mental health, addictions and substance use health services. |
This team is the backbone of the organization. Team members make sure we pay our bills, spend wisely and demonstrate our impact.
Mageya Castedo
Finance Clerk
Pamela Wangkhang (on leave)
Project Coordinator
Talib Hussain
Contracts Officer
Our communications team works strategically across the organization and with each of our project teams to ensure that we are effectively communicating what we do.
Nicole Forget
Manager, Communications
Vendela Edmonds
Communications Specialist
Christopher Vallée
Communications Specialist
Ray Heath
Multimedia Specialist
Virginie Faubert
Communications Specialist
This team uses its expertise to support others working in child and youth mental health and addictions care to evaluate their work and make sure they are being the best they can be. They also do the same for our own team, helping to hold us accountable to our goals.
Blake Davey
Manager, Quality and Performance
Kristina Rohde
Quality Improvement Consultant
Christine Polihronis
Senior Data Analyst
Jessica Murray
Quality Improvement Specialist
Ann Barber
Quality Improvement Consultant
Ajiri Onwo
Research Assistant
Lamia Moheb Almorsy
Quality Improvement Consultant
Our implementation and evaluation team supports our sector to effectively plan, improve and implement evidence-based practice. With their expert coaching and guidance, they bring great ideas to life, making change processes faster, more efficient and highly effective.
Nikky Summers
Manager, Implementation and Evaluation
Renée Nossal
Implementation Consultant
Kathryn Matsushita
Implementation Consultant
Our knowledge mobilization team makes information accessible, understandable and usable for those who need it most. Team members’ expertise helps align research, policy and practice to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Poppy Desclouds
Manager, Research and Standards
Mario Cappelli
Senior Child and Youth Mental Health Clinician-Scientist
Danielle Impey
Manager, Knowledge Mobilization
Ashley Radomski
Senior Researcher
Gabrielle Lucente
Research Coordinator
Kayla Beaudin
Research Coordinator (CHEO Research Institute)
Laura Ziebell
Research Coordinator
Scott Robson
Post-Doctoral Fellow (CHEO Research Institute)
Emily Tippins
Research Coordinator
Alexandra Tucci
Research Coordinator
Valerie Schutte
Research Coordinator
Renée Gulinigaer
Research Assistant
This team supports our sector partners and others across the child and youth mental health and addictions care system to meaningfully engage young people and families in Ontario. Team members also help us to fulfill our commitment to do so in our own work.
Kelli Dilworth
Manager, Engagement
Christine Smith
Knowledge Broker
Angie Hamson
Family Engagement Specialist
Shannon Bird
Family Engagement Specialist
Christina Robert
Youth Advisor
Lilli Green
Youth Advisor