CMHA Nova Scotia Division Announces Karn Nichols as New Executive Director

PRESS RELEASE

The Board of Directors of the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division is pleased to announce the appointment of Karn Nichols as Executive Director, effective July 12, 2021.

“CMHA Nova Scotia is thrilled to welcome Karn. Along with a deep compassion for those struggling with mental health and addiction issues, Karn brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, in both the “for profit” and “for impact” sectors to the role. We are very confident that, with her skills and background, she will lead CMHA NS to new levels of collaboration and leadership within our community,” says Dr. Rod Wilson, Chair of the Board of Directors at CMHA Nova Scotia.

In accepting the role, Karn had the following to say:

“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to work with CMHA-NS team to amplify meaningful work currently being done at all levels of the organization. I have spent the past 25 years working with a broad range of businesses and community organizations and have a proven track record of building solid relationships with my staff as well as stakeholders. I see no better place for me to continue that journey and I’m eager to learn from and walk alongside the team of staff and volunteers to continue CMHA-NS’s great work.”

Karn is deeply committed to both her family and community. She has held several volunteer roles throughout the years, including; Board Chair for the MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning; Member of Board Executive for Junior Achievement Nova Scotia; Vice President External, Saint Mary’s University MBA Society; Co-President Families with Children from China; President Metro Immigrant Learning Society; Human Resources Association of Nova Scotia; Feed Nova Scotia; Blue Nose Marathon; Manulife Dragon Boat Festival and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Karn has an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, a BSc. in psychology from Dalhousie University, and a Certificate in Adult Education from Henson College.

She looks forward to collaborating with key partners around the province and across Canada to re-imagine mental health care for the future.

ABOUT KARN NICHOLS

Along with a deep compassion for those facing mental health and addiction issues, Karn Nichols brings with her over 25 years of leadership experience in both the ‘for profit’ and ‘for impact’ sectors to the role of Executive Director of the Canadian Mental Health Association of Nova Scotia.

As a natural connector, collaborator and team builder, Karn is excited by the opportunity to work with CMHA-NS to amplify the good work that is already being done at all levels of the organization.

A committed professional who combines a broad range of leadership expertise and experience in Human Resources and Operations disciplines, Karn demonstrates an intellectual curiosity and a collaborative leadership style and has a proven ability to build solid relationships and gain buy-in within a diverse set of stakeholders. She enjoys opportunities to address new challenges requiring creativity, breaking existing paradigms and thinking strategically. With a proven ability to lead and guide managers especially in periods of organizational change, she understands the value of an engaged workforce and demonstrates this through initiatives geared to provide on-going mentoring, training and guidance to all stakeholders.

Karn has an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, a BSc. in psychology from Dalhousie University, and a Certificate in Adult Education from Henson College.

Karn has always been deeply committed to both her family and community and has held several volunteer positions throughout the years. These would include Board Chair, MacPhee Centre for Creative Learning; Member of Board Executive for Junior Achievement Nova Scotia; Vice President External, Saint Mary’s University MBA Society; Co-President Families with Children from China; President Metro Immigrant Learning Society; Human Resources Association of Nova Scotia; Feed Nova Scotia; Blue Nose Marathon; Manulife Dragon Boat Festival and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

Karn is the proud mother of Saya (New Zealand) and Ming (Halifax) and lives with her husband George in Hubley. When she is not working she is running, hiking and travelling the world.

She also loves deep conversations exploring social issues including mental health inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples and other communities facing systemic barriers. She models openness about her own anxiety with a firm personal belief in the power of creating space for a healthy dialogue and normalizing the conversation around mental health.