As a family member (father and brother with Bi-Polar Disorder, a brother with schizophrenia, siblings living with depression, and two suicides in his family) and a recipient of mental health services himself, Chris Summerville has served as the CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada since 2007. From 1995 to 2020, he was the CEO of the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (now known as Peer Connections Manitoba). With an earned doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary, he is a Certified Psychosocial Rehabilitation Recovery Practitioner (CPRRP). As a regional, provincial and national leader and advocate for a transformed, recovery-oriented mental health system (services) he believes that mental health concerns should be addressed from a holistic and person-centred philosophy: bio-psycho-social-spiritual-recovery-empowerment and community perspective. He is an adjunct professor at Brandon University.

Catherine Willinsky is a senior mental health leader with over twenty years of experience advancing policy, advocacy, and program development in partnership with the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. A committed advocate for people affected by schizophrenia and early psychosis, she has led recovery-focused national initiatives spanning cannabis and psychosis education, youth mental health, early intervention, and substance use health. Her work encompasses fund development, government relations, and co-design with people with lived experience, in service of a more equitable mental health system for all Canadians. She holds a Master of Health Science.

Exploring the Link Marketing Manager – Sarah helped manage the Cannabis and Psychosis- Exploring the Link and Cannabis and Mental Health Course and Mentor Guide projects. She is proud of the work the team created and incredibly thankful to have been able to support our brilliant Youth Action Committee. In between projects, Sarah assists the SSC in day-to-day operations.