CASA Mental Health held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on Oct. 7, 2026.
As CASA continues to expand and become a truly province-wide organization, this year’s AGM was virtual and recorded, to open it up to as many careholders as possible. You can view the recording on CASA’s YouTube channel at 2025-26 CASA Mental Health Annual General Meeting.
In her AGM report, Board Chair Katie Hayes noted that CASA’s Board of Directors strengthened its governance practices, enhanced oversight of strategic and enterprise risks, and remained committed to supporting sustainable growth that will enable CASA Mental Health to serve thousands of children, youth and families across Alberta for years to come.
The board also welcomed several new members over the past year, which covers the time period from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The board’s dedicated volunteers bring diverse skills, perspectives and expertise, and their contributions strengthen the board’s decision-making – reflecting its commitment to governing with curiosity and accountability. In a notable milestone, CASA’s board welcomed its first-ever member from Calgary!
Bonnie Blakley shared the CEO report and numerous highlights, including the opening of CASA’s Trauma program in Calgary, 10 new CASA Mental Health Classrooms – a total of 28 at the end of the fiscal year – and reduced wait times across multiple programs. There was a nine per cent reduction in wait times in Transition and Community Supports and a 50 per cent reduction in wait times in Integrated Concurrent Care.
In an exciting development, construction of new CASA House buildings in Fort McMurray and Calgary began. You can monitor the progress of these builds from our Services Across Alberta – CASA Mental Health web page, and we’re happy to report both projects are on time and on budget!
The Treasurer’s Report and Statement of Operations were also presented, as well as the Auditor’s Report, and received a clean audit. The auditors, Ernst & Young LLP, were approved as CASA’s auditors for another three-year term. The 2025-26 Financial Statements and CASA’s 2025-26 Annual Report are posted on the website at About CASA – CASA Mental Health.
The 2025-26 CASA Mental Health Annual Report was inspired by the now-shuttered New York Times for Kids. During its print run, NYT for Kids showed readers that children were capable of understanding big, serious issues. The newspaper respected its young readers as intellectual thinkers, making its content playful and colourful without shying away from serious topics or big ideas.
Four awards were presented at this year’s AGM. The awards and recipients are:
- Dr. Meyer Horowitz Award: Jill and Faer Oliver. You can read their story here.
L to R: Faer Oliver, Jill Oliver and CASA CEO Bonnie Blakley
Photo credit: Appletree Photography - Harris Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contributions: Jordan Robinson, current Youth and Family Advisory Council (YFAC) volunteer. Read more about Jordan and her family’s journey here.
L to R: Natacha Coones, Jordan Robinson and CASA CEO Bonnie Blakley
Photo credit: Appletree Photography - Peggie and Ernie Stevens Philanthropy Award: Neil MacGillivray.
- Inaugural CASA Mental Health Advocacy Award: Dr. Andrew Bremness. Read about his retirement celebration here.
Board Chair Katie Hayes, Vice Chair Krystal Gray, Secretary Bryan Mwaka and Director Bonita Young were all re-appointed to three-year terms. To view CASA’s current board of directors and senior leadership team – as well as their bios – please visit Our Team and Board – CASA Mental Health.
