CMHA Peel CEO, Sandy Milakovic, annouces retirement

After 33 years of dedication and inspired leadership CMHA Peel CEO, Sandy Milakovic, announces her retirement.  The Canadian Mental Health Association/Peel Branch (CMHA Peel) today announces that its CEO, Sandy Milakovic, will retire in the New Year.  After 33 years with CMHA Peel, Sandy’s well-deserved retirement will enable her to spend more time with her family and loved ones. Her last day in the office as CEO will be January 24, 2014.

Sandy started at CMHA Peel in 1980 as a psychiatric nurse supporting people with mental illness in the community. At that time the branch had only 8 staff and ran on a shoestring budget.  Sandy held progressive positions with CMHA Peel, finally becoming Executive Director in 1999 and CEO in 2006. Today, under her leadership, CMHA Peel has grown to 104 staff, serving over 4,000 clients and providing resources, training and mental health information to over 17,000 members of the community annually.

Reflecting on her time with the organization, Sandy says “Over my 33 years with CMHA Peel I have seen the agency grow exponentially. There are two constants through all the change – the courage and resilience of those experiencing mental illness and the families that support them; and the dedication of our staff.  I have been privileged to work in a field I love with these people. I truly believe mental health and addictions are the next frontier for the healthcare system and will watch its progression with a heart full of hope.”

Trusted for her sound judgment and thoughtful leadership, Sandy is a tireless advocate for people with mental health issues, and a vocal proponent for eliminating the misperceptions and stigma associated with mental illness. Sandy is highly regarded both within the CMHA family and within the local and provincial mental health sector.  In recognition of her years of service to the community she was recognized with Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

“It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Sandy over the last few years,” says Board Chair, Gilles Paquette.  “Her passionate support and commitment to the most vulnerable in the community is an inspiration to the staff, our Board, and the many individuals throughout the community who she has positively affected.  Her compassion, patience and integrity, as well as her remarkable ability to handle the changes and challenges of her profession with grace and good humour, will be missed. I know my colleagues on the Board join me in expressing our great thanks and gratitude for her inspired leadership, and wish her the very best for the future.”

 The Board of Directors has been actively working on succession planning to ensure a smooth transition when a new CEO is appointed.