Deborah Gillis has over 30 years of leadership experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Since 2018, she has served as President & CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, where she leads the world’s largest fundraising campaign for hospital-based mental health research and care. Under her leadership, CAMH Foundation is transforming Canadians’ understanding of mental illness, in the workplace and society. During her tenure, Deborah has launched initiatives to mobilize Canada’s business community around workplace mental health, to address gender gaps in mental health research, and to raise awareness of the most stigmatized issues in mental health.
Prior to joining CAMH Foundation, Deborah spent 12 years at Catalyst, the pre-eminent organization focused on women’s advancement in business leadership, where she was the first internal successor and only person from outside the United States to serve as President & CEO.
Beginning her career in the public sector, Deborah gained unique insight into policy and regulatory processes while working across five departments for two provincial governments. She successfully navigated the transition from government to the private sector, working for two global professional services firms, advising SMEs and public sector clients on human capital strategies.
Deborah has been recognized for her advocacy and leadership with numerous awards, including two honorary doctorates and the prestigious New York Foreign Policy Award. In 2016 she was named as one of Canada’s top 10 Most Powerful People in Business. As someone who has benefitted from the support of mentors, Deborah believes in paying it forward. In 2018 she established a scholarship for “Rising Women Leaders” pursuing business or STEM education. Deborah received her MA from York University in 1989.