Our Board | CMHS Online

Board of Directors

Chair

Susan Barberstock

Susan Barberstock is from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Susan is the Director of Community Wellbeing in her home community. Her experience combined with her education, which is a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University has assisted her in her career path working with the urban Indigenous population and the on reserve population. Susan has also been involved with youth sports in many capacities, participant, coach, manager, spectator and parent.

Treasurer

David Lee

David Lee, has been the Financial Director of the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre since 2004. He has many years of experience working within his current Not-for-Profit organization. David is a chartered accountant and a member is good standing with the Chartered Professional Accountants Association (CGA/CPA) since 1992. David brings strong financial and business experience. David has come to our Board with the wish to contribute to the organization that assists youth with their mental health needs. He sees this as an important role within the community that he can contribute to.

Secretary

Peter Wright

The Honourable Mr. Justice Peter Jeffrey Wright was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice in 2002. Peter has experience as an Official Guardian Representative, assisting children in conflict with the law. Peter has demonstrated a commitment to public service both professionally and personally within our community. He is the recipient of 10 and 15 yr volunteer achievement awards from the Premier of Ontario for service to the community. He has joined our board to help make life better for the youth within our community who need understanding and care.

Director

Shawn Lauzer

Shawn has been the Operations Manager for Trinity Fire and Security since 2015. A graduate from the University of Ottawa in Anthropology, Shawn’s passion has always been towards Culture and Community Development. Driven to make a better community for his young family, Shawn is excited to be a member of Children’s Mental Health Services Board and their community initiative. Recently completing three terms on the Board of Directors for the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce, Shawn brings a wide range of experiences and skills to CHMS; having worked with the local business community and on various committees like the Young Professionals and Government Affairs. Shawn hopes to bring fresh energy to the board and further the services and aid provided by the CHMS to the community and people in need.

Director

Grace Whyte

Grace is currently a student at Trent University enrolled in Social Work. Grace was a student trustee on the Hastings and Prince Edward District school board, and a part of the Mental Health Leadership team and Equity and Inclusivity committee, which has given her some valuable experience. Grace is extremely passionate about being involved in the community and providing youth perspective wherever possible!

Director

Cristy Latham

Cristy is the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Loyalist College, where she combines her passion for education and sports to foster an inclusive and dynamic campus environment. She holds a Bachelor of Education from McGill University and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta. An educator at heart, Cristy brings extensive experience in teaching, coaching, and leadership across all age groups. She is driven by a commitment to create healthy spaces by removing barriers, leading with empathy, and empowering others to make informed choices. Recently relocated to the Quinte area, Cristy is eager to contribute her diverse skill set to the local community. She looks forward to supporting CMHS and its ongoing outreach efforts, as she works to give back and make a meaningful impact.

Director

Emma-Leigh Johnston

Emma-Leigh is an incoming student at Trent University pursuing a dual degree in Medical Sciences with an interest in Indigenous Studies. This program allows her to explore both the scientific foundations of healthcare and the cultural and systemic factors that impact health and wellness. She served as the 2024-2025 Indigenous Student Trustee for the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, where she focused on advocating for equity, amplifying Indigenous student voice, and contributing to policy discussions at both the board and provincial levels. Emma-Leigh has also been involved in community leadership and volunteering, through board-wide events, student leadership retreats and cultural workshops designed to foster connection, identity, and peer support. Her long-term goal is to become a pediatric gastrointestinal surgeon and return to serve her community. She is excited to join the CMHS Board to share her passion and goals to improve youth mental health systems and ensure they are inclusive, effective, and culturally safe.

Director

Sarah Graydon

Sarah has spent her legal career focussing on Criminal Law as both a Provincial and Federal Crown and regularly appears in Youth Court. As a local prosecutor, Sarah is familiar with the systemic factors that often result in youth appearing in court and has experience connecting local stakeholders to youth and families in need. Sarah hopes to assist CMHS in connecting with stakeholders and formulating policy that will integrate well with other partners. Sarah’s family has been in Hastings and Prince Edward Country for four generations. Sarah is a past Vice President of the Hasting County Law Association, has taught part-time at Loyalist College, and coached the Bayside High School moot team. Sarah enjoys travelling, competing her horse, skiing, and spending time with her family and friends.

CEO

Susan Sweetman

Susan has been the Chief Executive Officer at CMHS since 2015. Susan came to CMHS with vast Human Service experience, spanning across the country and various field. Susan’s initial background with children was as an Early Childhood Educator, studying at Loyalist College. She then shifted to the field of Child Protection, completing a Bachelor of Social Work at the University of Regina in 1997. Susan held various progressive positions in Regina, North Bay and Ottawa, throughout her fifteen year career within Child Protection. She was also a trainer with the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies, teaching forensic interviewing skills to police and social workers across the province. Susan was also called upon to be an Expert Member of the Senate of Canada’s Roundtable on Sexually Exploited Youth in Conflict with the Law. As a result, amendments were made to Criminal Code sections related to the Age of Consent, Sexual Exploitation and a new section created related to Internet Luring of children. Susan completed a Master of Public Administration at Queens University in 2004, pursuing her love of policy and leadership. Returning to the Quinte area in 2005, Susan initially assisted the courts as a Family Court Clinic Assessor, then accepted the position as Executive Director at the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre and was seconded to DND to develop National Accreditation standards for all MFRCs. In 2013, Susan completed a Masters of Laws at York University. In 2015, Susan joined the team at CMHS, wanting to return to her clinical roots in social work. Seeing the great need within the community and the challenge ahead for the Mental Health sector, Susan assumed the challenge of seeking Lead Agency status for CMHS within the first three months on the job. In 2017, Susan continued her education, completing the Public Sector Executive Leadership program at the Rotman School of Business. As a lifelong learner, Susan is committed to always improving the work she does with children and youth because “kids deserve better!”

About The Board

Children’s Mental Health Services (CMHS) provides free, confidential mental health supports for children, youth, and families across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties. As demand for services continues to grow and the needs of families become more complex, strong, thoughtful governance plays a vital role in ensuring CMHS can continue to respond with care, quality, and accountability.

Our Board of Directors works alongside senior leadership to help guide the organization’s direction, uphold our values, and support a shared commitment to accessible, effective mental health care for children and youth in our community.

Children’s Mental Health Services (CMHS) is seeking new Board Members

Children’s Mental Health Services (CMHS) is seeking new Board Members with a passion for children and youth and who care about their mental health and wellness, within our communities.

We are looking for people with skills that can contribute to the organization and to the vision of building a better system of service for children and youth across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties (HPE).

Our Board supports the vision of collaboration with other not for profit Boards to help improve the overall system for children and youth within HPE.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking individuals who bring:

Strategic thinking and sound judgement
People with lived experience, including youth, caregivers, partners within the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and individuals from other racialized groups
Experience in leadership, governance, finance, HR, law, operations, risk management, or community development
A collaborative, respectful approach to teamwork
A genuine commitment to improving mental health outcomes for children and youth

You do not need previous board experience — just the ability to bring your expertise, insights, and values to meaningful community governance.

The Role of a CMHS Board Member

Board members play an essential role in guiding the long-term health and success of the organization. Key responsibilities include:

Governance & Accountability

Ensuring CMHS meets its obligations as a responsible, transparent, community-focused organization.

Financial & Risk Oversight

Reviewing budgets, monitoring financial health, supporting risk management, and contributing to decisions that safeguard sustainability.

Strategic Leadership

Participating in the development and monitoring of strategic priorities that expand access and enhance the quality of services.

Advocacy & Community Representation

Championing the importance of children’s mental health and helping strengthen community partnerships.

Our Board culture is one of collaboration, integrity, mutual respect, and shared purpose. Members work closely with senior leadership to ensure the organization continues to meet the needs of families with compassion and excellence.

Time Commitment

Total time commitment between board and committee participation is approximately 5-7 hours a month
Meetings are pre-set a year at a time for easy scheduling and run September to June.
Participate on one Board committee, aligned with your interests and experience

Committees

Finance & Audit
HR & Governance
Quality Improvement
Community Relations & Awareness

Orientation and support are provided, and committee involvement is designed to be manageable and meaningful.

Why Serve on the CMHS Board?

Serving on the CMHS Board is a meaningful opportunity to:

Use your skills to create direct, lasting community impact
Contribute to positive outcomes for children, youth, and families
Strengthen a mission-driven organization in a time of growing need‑driven organization in a time of growing need
Build leadership and governance experience
Join a values-driven team working together for a shared purpose

Your contribution can help shape a healthier, more resilient future for families in our community.

If you are interested in joining our Board please complete the following Board Application Form and submit it to EA@cmhs-hpe.on.ca

CMHS Board Application