The Foundation Appoints New Chief Executive Officer
The Mental Health Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Darren Lunt as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective June 4, 2024. Darren is a seasoned organizational leader with extensive experience across various industries and has a wide network across the province. He possesses a unique blend of skills in fundraising, sales, marketing, non-profit leadership, and corporate management.
“We are confident that Darren’s strengths will complement the Mental Health Foundation’s leadership team. We are committed to moving forward with our Strategic Plan and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the MHF staff during this transition. The strength of our partnerships with stakeholders will ensure we can continue to enhance mental health and addiction recovery across this province.”
~ DeAnn Hunter, Chair of the Board of Directors
As the new CEO of the Foundation, Darren will be responsible for providing strategic direction and overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations. Prior to joining the MHF, Darren had leadership roles in not-for-profit and philanthropic organizations in Edmonton and Drumheller, including the Edmonton Humane Society, Royal Tyrrell Museum Society, and the Pilgrims Hospice Society. During his last five years in the not-for-profit sector, Darren served as an Executive Director, refining his abilities in board reporting, strategic implementation, team leadership, and brand representation for the organizations he was involved with.
For the past nineteen years, Darren has been an integral part of Weldco Companies, progressing from Sales and Marketing roles to ultimately becoming the President. Under his leadership, Weldco achieved strong revenue growth and expanded sales partnerships in the United States and South America.
Originally from Edmonton, Darren is married to his wife of 31 years (Lori), and they have two adult children currently pursuing their post-secondary degrees. Darren is a graduate of NAIT’s School of Business and earned his MBA from Athabasca University.
Stepping into the role of CEO of the Mental Health Foundation is both an honour and an important responsibility. It’s critical that the Foundation continue its essential work raising funds to ensure Albertans have accessible mental health and addictions care when they need it most. I’m committed to fostering a culture of optimism, transparency, and collaboration.
Together with our dedicated team and stakeholders, we will strive to help build strong and resilient communities across the province.