The Staff and Board of the Wellesley Institute are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Kwame McKenzie as our new CEO, effective March 24, 2014.
Dr. McKenzie has over 20 years’ experience in research into the social determinants of health, policy development and as an advisor at the highest levels of government. He will lead an exceptional team of researchers and analysts at the Wellesley Institute with a proven track record in improving health and health equity in Toronto and Ontario.
“The Wellesley Institute is Canada’s only independent think tank focused on health equity with the resources necessary to make an impact. We welcome Dr. McKenzie and look forward to realizing his ambitious plans to bring new energy and talent to the Institute,” says Liz Janzen, co-chair of the Wellesley Institute.
“I believe Toronto is very fortunate to have an organization like The Wellesley Institute, and leading the Institute through this next period of growth is a real privilege,” says Dr. McKenzie. “Good health is something that all Torontonians want, for themselves and their community. I want to place The Wellesley Institute at the forefront of understanding how social, environmental and economic forces shape the health of Toronto residents.”
Dr. McKenzie will continue to serve as a Medical Director at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). He is also Director of Equity Gender and Population Health in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, and a board member of the United Way of Toronto.
“CAMH and the Wellesley Institute both promote health equity and social change with the aim of improving the health of individuals and populations by targeting the social factors that cause illness and impede recovery,” says Dr. Catherine Zahn, CEO of CAMH. “Dr. McKenzie’s work at CAMH and the Wellesley Institute are very complementary and we believe that this arrangement can create powerful synergies that will have a positive impact on the mental health of Ontarians.”