Mark MacAulay, MA CCC RP President & CEO
Christa McIntosh
Heather Brown, CFRE
Joanne Cormack, MA
Lynda DaCosta
Papa Ladjiké Diouf
Tara Lehtiniemi
Ottawa Salus
2000 Scott Street
Ottawa, ON
K1Z 6T2
Tel: 613-729-0123
TTY: 613-759-8455
Charitable Registration Number: 12985 6340 RR0001
Mark is a registered psychotherapist with 20 years of experience in the mental health and social services sector. Mark is known for his ability to envision a bold future and make it a reality through sound strategy development. As an integrative thinker, Mark keeps the client at the center. He is unwavering in his dedication to improving access to mental health and addiction supports in the region and further afield.
Before joining Ottawa Salus in 2021, Mark was the Director of Mental Health and Community Programs at Family Services Ottawa. There, he worked closely with the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, the Canadian Mental Health Association Ottawa, and the Ottawa Health Team – Équipe Santé Ottawa. Mark co-led the development of Counselling Connect, a community mental health and addictions platform on which more than 20 community partners provided free phone and video counselling.
Mark has also served on various regional committees, including the Regional Planning Table for Trans Health, Champlain Virtual Care Committee, Champlain Quality Improvement Committee, Ottawa Family Court Community Liaison and Resource Committee, and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Clinical Supervision Committee.
Mark holds a business diploma, an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Economics, and a Master’s in Counselling.
Salus works to support some of the most marginalized persons in our community. Having a home is foundational to mental health and working with an organization that not only offers a home but also the supports to thrive in that home is very rewarding.
With over 20 years of experience working, consulting and volunteering within the community mental health and supportive housing sectors, Christa has spent the last 14 years focused on the development, expansion and management of affordable housing—most recently overseeing the development of Ottawa Salus’ Karen’s Place, which won multiple sustainability and innovation awards, was the first Passive House certified multi-residential affordable housing project in North America, and the first in the world in a cold climate using steel frame construction.
Christa has a strong belief that housing is an essential human right and that everyone deserves an affordable place to call home. Christa is fortunate to be able to put that belief into practice everyday as a senior leader of one of the largest supportive housing providers for people with severe and persistent mental illness in Ottawa.
Heather has worked in the charitable sector for 20+ years, both in development roles and as a fundraising consultant. She has a strong background in hospital, health charity and community fundraising, and an innate curiosity about the world, people and their stories. Heather is passionate about her work, committed to the philanthropic sector and to improving mental health care and supports for people living with mental illness. Heather is also a nature lover, lifelong learner, voracious reader and enthusiastic baker.
As the Director of Philanthropy at Ottawa Salus, Heather is able to connect donors’ interests and passions with our mission to create opportunities for adults with serious mental illness to live in the community by providing housing and support services. “I’ve always looked for meaning in my work and at Salus, I have the opportunity to connect directly with our clients and truly see the impact of both our amazing staff and our generous community.”
As the Director of Clinical Services, Joanne is a key member of the Ottawa Salus Senior Leadership team. A member of management for 15 years, Joanne has worked in increasingly senior roles across Ottawa Salus, including leading the case management team, Grove and Fisher Transitional Housing Programs, and recreation team.
Prior to joining Ottawa Salus, Joanne worked in the field of eating disorders at University Health Network in Toronto, and in case management and as a member of the Assertive Community Treatment team at the Canadian Mental Health Association West Toronto.
“I started at Salus in April of 2007. I saw from the outset that Salus is a great client-focussed organization with a fantastic, dedicated staff, some with a tenure of over 35 years. I have seen those initial qualities play out so many times over the years, and I have seen the results of positive change in people’s lives. To witness people working incredibly hard on their recovery goals and to see Salus staff members working just as diligently alongside them has been both inspiring and humbling. I am very proud to work at Ottawa Salus and look forward to the next chapter for the organization.”
Lynda joined Salus with over 25 years of experience in Human Resources within the public and not-for-profit sectors. She earned her CHRP/CHRL designation in 2003 and has established herself as a trusted and respected leader throughout her career. Known for her results-oriented approach, Lynda has significant experience in leading change and developing and delivering HR programs and services that drive impactful results.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Lynda has contributed her expertise as a volunteer Board member for two not-for-profit organizations and is actively involved with Parkrun Orleans. Outside of work, Lynda is an avid long-distance runner and cyclist, demonstrating her dedication to both personal and professional excellence.
Salus has been providing resources and support in our Ottawa community for over 45 years. As a part of this team I am able to live my values at work and support an amazing group of staff dedicated to the clients they serve and the valuable work that they do.
Papa Ladjiké Diouf is a member of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario. He studied psychology and sociology, specializing in various issues based on trauma. He has been working as a psychotherapist for 19 years, including 10 years as a clinical supervisor and clinical director. He has worked in several environments (Africa and Canada) and with different clienteles (men, women, adolescents, couples and families) on a variety of issues (trauma, migration, depression, anxiety, sex workers, street children, addictions and concomitant disorders, etc.).
His current interests include mental health and housing, historical and intergenerational trauma, racial issues, immigrant clientele, and the mental health challenges faced by Black people. He is the Leader of the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition and co-directed work on the anti-racism program for Addiction Mental Health Ontario and the City of Ottawa. He is married with two children.
“Ottawa Salus’ values are aligned with mine as professional in psychotherapy and as person. Salus is a client-focused organization with a very experimented and dedicated staff and leadership. Helping vulnerable individuals to meet their balanced lives by witnessing them working incredibly hard on their recovery goals is very humanising.”
Tara Lehtiniemi is a Finance Director with 15 years of accounting experience and five years working alongside the Management team of Ottawa Salus. She specializes in strategic accounting, supporting organizational growth and productivity.
“I value people and believe that working for Ottawa Salus allows me the opportunity to help people living with mental illness in the community.”