Emerging Leaders Applauded at Annual B STAR Employee Event at CMHA Peel Dufferin

John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Leaders can be found at all levels of a corporation and can empower those around them to share an idea, try something new, champion a cause and make a difference.

The Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin Branch recently gathered at its annual B STAR employee event to share success stories, future goals, strategy developments and feedback to help the team continue to offer quality care for clients.

Our Emerging Leaders

Although there are countless invaluable leaders at CMHA Peel Dufferin, after much deliberation, three employees received the Emerging Leader Award for 2020 based on spirit, teamwork, leadership and innovation.

Nivetha Sivaranjan, Community Support Worker with our Recovery West Group and Drop-In Program, is known for positivity and promoting team unity.  Professional, supportive and always full of energy, she never hesitates to help when needed and is always developing strategies to improve programs and services for clients at CMHA PD.

Anuja Puthran, Mental Health Counsellor with our North Etobicoke West Woodbridge Malton Team, is always willing to collaborate with peers and embrace opportunities in training, committees and group facilitation.  She is a positive team player and a strong clinician who greets every day with a smile on her face.

Gillian O’Donnell, Crisis Support Worker with our Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team, has been a tireless advocate for clients since joining the team a year and a half ago.  Her confidence has grown along with her clinical judgement and she has blossomed into a team member who others look to for a fair and client-centred approach.

Our Rookies Who Rocked It

Joining a new team can be overwhelming and might seem like a challenge.  There is so much to learn and at times it can feel like you are drinking water from a fire hose.  But a willingness to learn while adding value was what led the team to highlight two Rookies of the Year for 2020.

Shara Arasaratnam, Program Assistant with our Early Prevention and Intervention Team, always has a smile on her face and is quick to ask how she can help solve a problem.

Melissa Rampersad, Community Support Worker with our Mental Health and Justice Team, embraces any task at hand, volunteers when needed and has been instrumental in taking the initiative to develop procedures and practices for the team.

As we move into a new decade, it’s the teamwork that makes the dream work.  We are thankful to have a team with such a deep bench of leaders which makes choosing awards like these so challenging.  May we continue to work towards improving the experiences of our clients, listening to community needs and solving problems as we support mental health for all.