CMHA – Alberta is pleased to welcome to its staff Deborah Allard Usunier, in the position of Director of Program Development.

Ms. Allard Usunier comes to us from the Canadian Diabetes Association, where she administered and set strategic direction for education and volunteer development in Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories. Her previous experience includes 17 years of working with a number of social service agencies in various capacities, both front line and administrative.

This is a new position for the Alberta Division, although it will have some similarity to that held previously for many years by David Allen, who left CMHA in 2006.

Deborah will be responsible for the Division’s educational and mental health informational services, as well as researching issues for the Board’s Advocacy and Social Action committee. She will also participate in inter-organizational meetings relating to mental health programs and issues.

In addition, Deborah will work closely with CMHA’s Regional offices to help them learn from each other and outside sources to determine how CMHA can best contribute to serving the mental health needs of Albertans from all areas of the province.

Deborah can be reached at (780) 482-6576 or be e-mail at dallardusunier@cmha.ab.ca .