Let’s introduce the Canadian Mental Health Association of New Brunswick team!
Kristen Barnes
Director of Operations, Fredericton
Bio: Over the years, Kristen Barnes, our Director of Operations, has gained very extensive knowledge of mental health and addiction, whether it was with her work with the Canadian Mental Health Association of NB, her previous work experience, or her studies in Law in Society and Sociology at the University of New Brunswick. Kristen has spent most of her career in diverse roles within the community sector. Kristen’s client-focused work ethic and passion for mental health keeps getting stronger and stronger, and one of her wishes is to people to feel comfortable to talk about mental health and mental illness.
Fun Fact: Kristen is a provincial wrestling gold medalist.
Lisa Cheney
Community Education Coordinator, Charlotte County
Bio: Lisa’s love of people and passion for healthy communities has brought her to the Community Education Coordinator position with CMHA of NB. In her previous years she enjoyed being the facilitator of pre and post natal programs, mentoring the local high school and supply teaching. She continues to share her passion through the promotion of mental health for all.
Fun Fact: As a teen, Lisa was a winner of the “Miss International” beauty pageant and placed in the top 10 of Miss New Brunswick.
Martha Chown
Community Education Coordinator, Sussex
Bio: Born and raised in Sussex, NB Martha now works as Community Education Coordinator for this area. Mental Wellness is a passion of hers. Over the upcoming months, Martha has all types of groups, activities and programs planned toward improving your overall mental and physical health.
Fun Fact: Martha collects rolling pins and has 2053 to date.
Jonathan Cormier
Manager of Research and Quality Assurance, Moncton
Bio: Fresh out of university with a master’s degree in health care administration, Jonathan took his expertise in data analysis and quality assurance and brought to the use of CMHA of NB. He developed a passion for mental health and strive to help people through their journeys with mental health and mental illness. Putting an end to stigma surrounding mental health is one of his goals.
Fun Fact: In 2012, Jonathan spent 2 weeks in Ecuador and helped build a school for less fortunate students. This experience changed his vision of cultures and education. This is where he also ate his first (and last) guinea pig.
Michelle Deveau
Employment Counsellor, Working: Stronger Together, St. George
Bio: Michelle graduated from St. Thomas University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She began her career with the New Brunswick Association for Community Living as an employment facilitator for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Continuing with her love for non-profit organizations, Michelle graciously accepted an Employment Counsellor position with CMHA of NB in 2014. Michelle assists clients with different employment barriers to find meaningful and sustainable employment. She find working in the mental health field very rewarding and enjoys volunteering and giving back to the community!
Fun Fact: May 2018, Michelle was elected on the St. George Town Council; where she currently holds the Economic Development portfolio.
Diana Gregory
Senior Community Relations Coordinator, Moncton
Bio: After living in England for 14 years and working for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Diana decided it was time to return to her Canadian roots and have been working for Canadian Mental Health Association of NB Moncton office for the past 12 years. Diana has a great passion for mental health and for individuals to receive all the help they need to be healthy in mind, body and soul and free of judgement.
Fun Fact: “The harder I try to look poised and sophisticated I get reminded so very quickly that I can be a bit of a clutz and can trip over a simple paper clip. I really enjoy playing tennis, but I can also be found being couch potato.”
Tina LeBlanc
Provincial Peer Support Consultant, Moncton
Bio: Tina began working at the Canadian Mental Health Association of NB in July 2018. She had previously worked as a certified peer support with the FACT team – Richibucto. Tina is passionate about the effectiveness and value of the Peer Support role within teams and organizations. She continues to bring her passion in supporting certified peer support and creating new initiatives within our province.
Fun Fact: Tina received the opportunity to meet Mr. Muhammad Ali at a boxing event in Boston MA.
Marie-Cécile Léger
Community Education Coordinator, Shediac and Kent area
Bio: Marie-Cécile has always been passionate for mental health. Struggling herself at times, she wants everyone that is affected by mental health to know that recovery is possible. Marie-Cécile has worked in the mental health field for the past 18 years in different settings such as Provincial Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit and the Community Mental Health Center as a Human Service Counselor. She has worked with children, youth, and adults. Marie-Cécile loves educating people on mental health and mental illnesses, hoping one day we will be talking about mental health just like we talk about physical health. Marie-Cécile loves her job and loves meeting new people.If you see her in the community go say hi, you will quickly see that she is very approachable person that loves to help.
Fun Fact: Marie-Cécile enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys volunteering for the Air Cadet program at the 763 Bouctouche Squadron.
Connie Locke
Executive Assistant, Fredericton
Bio: Straight from Newfoundland, Connie brought her knowledge and hard working skills to the benefit of the Canadian Mental Health Association of NB. Connie is our Executive Assistant. Through thick and thin, she always ties us up together and never fails to make you laugh. She developed a passion for mental health and wishes to help people get through their tough times.
Fun Fact: Connie naturally wakes up around 2 a.m. every morning… while most people are going to bed!
Nicole McLean
Community Relations Coordinator, Saint John
Bio: With a diploma from NBCC, Nicole has worked in government, private sector, and hospitality before finding Canadian Mental Health Association of NB in 2017. Nicole experienced social anxiety growing up into early adulthood. By practicing coping strategies and challenging herself she is able to overcome and now has a position at CMHA of NB that provides numerous opportunities to connect with people in the Saint John community about their mental health.
Fun Fact: Nicole creates and knits her own graphic knitting patterns – making hats, wall art and sweaters.
Denise Miller
Community Education Coordinator, Westmorland and Albert Counties
Bio: Denise has enjoyed working in the non-profit sector for the past 25 years and the last 11 being with CMHA of NB. Having had a mental health issue over the past few years has helped develop her passion for mental health. She still gets up each day to say “I get to go to work” rather than “I have to go to work”.
Fun Fact: “I love to do genealogy. I have gone back hundreds of years for both sides of the family. I even found a notorious pirate in my ancestors.”
Dawn O’Dell
Program Coordinator, Saint John
Bio: Since 2009, Dawn has been providing public education and awareness initiatives promoting mental wellness and supporting individuals experiencing mental illness. As a community liaison with a diverse group of stakeholders, mental health experts and funders Dawn creates a more comprehensive information and referral system for individuals within the greater Saint John area.
Fun Fact: Dawn enjoys curling and giving back to her community!
Angela Pond
Community Relations Coordinator, Fredericton
Bio: After a long career in administrative roles, Angela realized she loved the event organizing aspect of those jobs, so at 42 years old she went back to school to pursue her education in the Event Management field. As well as event management, she is also passionate about mental health on a personal level and has combined these two passions to help us coordinate workshops and programs, get out into the community, and organize events that promote mental health and end the stigma surrounding it.
Fun Fact: Angela has her appendix taken out when she was 3 months old (1972)… the youngest age for an appendectomy (according to Guinness Records) was at 5 days old, performed in 1977. So for 5 years she could have been famous!
Jennifer Price
Employment Counsellor, Working: Stronger Together, St. Stephen
Bio: Jennifer is a graduate from University of New Brunswick with a Major in Psychology. She has worked in the field of employment counselling for 14 years and provides employment related services to persons living with disabilities. Jennifer is client-focused and extremely passionate about helping individuals navigate their educational or employment goals and empowering them to maximize their potential.
Fun Fact: Jennifer loves to spend time with family at their cottage on Lake Utopia.
Lucie Robichaud
Community Education Coordinator, Shippagan
Bio: During Lucie’s teenage years, Lucie met people with mental illness, whether they were friends, acquaintances, etc. During her studies, she felt that she could bring something to people living with mental illness on a daily basis. Lucie has worked with children with special needs with Social Development, in the psychiatric hospital as a psychiatric care worker and subsequently for the reintegration of psychiatric patients into the community. She loved this job and when the Canadian Mental Health Association Regional Community Worker told her about the organization, Lucie developed a CMHA branch in her area. The day the RCW position was released in the Acadian Peninsula, she jumped at the chance to get the position that she’s had now held for 33 years.
Quote from Lucie: “Loving your job from the first day and even more… for I know my job better now than at the very beginning, is a privilege. I am happy to be part of the great CMHA team and I look forward to staying for many more years.”
Kimberly Somerville
Director of Finance and Human Resources, Fredericton
Bio: Kimberly has been a valuable staff member of CMHA of NB for over 19 years. Kimberly’s passion and dedication for making a difference for others is evident through every aspect of her job. Currently, as the Director of Finance and Human Resources, she provides leadership, guidance, and support to staff across the province, in addition to managing the financial aspects of our organization. Kimberly has been a champion for wellness and inspires others through her commitment to grow wellness within the workplace and for herself personally.
Fun Fact: Kimberly is an outdoors enthusiast. From growing her own vegetable garden, to hiking, camping, and many other adventures.
Jean-Paul Soucy
Community Education Coordinator, Grand Falls
Bio: Over the years, Jean-Paul has gained diversified work experiences in roles such as an administrator, entrepreneur, cultural and community agent for the school district, healthcare customer service in nursing homes, and a career of more than 20 years in provincial and federal politics. His professional experience in politics allowed him to participate in international sessions in France, England, Scotland, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, and Romania, to name a few. He graduated from l’École Grand-Rivière de Saint-Léonard. He has a Bachelor’s Degree with a concentration in Philosophy, French Literature, and Religious Sciences at Université de Moncton and a diploma in Missionary Cooperation, Spanish Second Language from Séminaire Saint-Augustin in Québec and at Luque in Paraguay.
Fun Fact: Jean-Paul (JP) is in love with fishing and likes to decorate his house and have open house parties. If you meet JP, ask him to see what socks he’s wearing today.
Kaitee Stairs
Community Education Coordinator, Woodstock
Bio: As a person living with mental illness, Kaitee has learned how valuable mental health services in the community and has realized that her purpose is to help others on their journey to recovery. She calls CMHA her “dream job” because not only has she been able to help others heal, but she is learning and growing so much through her job.
Fun Fact: Kaitee played for an American / Canadian Football team in Middle School and was the only girl on her team and was nicknamed the Tackling Machine.
Lori Wheeler
Director of Communications, Fredericton
Bio: After a long and culturally rewarding career at CBC, Lori came to her, what she calls, “Home” job. After a couple of journeys with situational mental health conditions, she developed a passion for mental health and is honored to be working with the Canadian
Mental Health Association of NB helping to put an end to the stigma surrounding mental health.
Fun Fact: Lori and her husband Jeff did a reality TV show called “Trading Places” where they traded lives with a couple from Winnipeg. Lori had a very brief “career” as a cheerleader for the football team the Winnipeg Blue Bombers!
Lauren White
Peer Support Consultant, Fredericton
Bio: Following many years of education at both St. Thomas University and the University of Maine, Lauren came to CMHA with a passion to help others. Lauren has lived with mental illness for several years and it is this lived experience that has influenced her to dedicate herself to the support of others. Lauren is passionate about supporting one another through our recovery journey and the inclusion of all within the community.
Fun Fact: Lauren loves all dogs and her dream is to one day open a rescue shelter.