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Mary Beth Moellenkamp
Chief Executive Officer, Peel Children’s Aid
Mary Beth Moellenkamp is the Chief Executive Officer of Peel Children's Aid Society (Peel CAS), a position she has held since January 2023.1 She is an innovative leader with extensive experience in the non-profit sector, particularly in child welfare.
Career at Peel CAS
Mary Beth has been a dedicated employee of Peel CAS for over 22 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to the organization and its mission.1 Her career progression within the agency is notable:
- Started as a frontline worker in 2000
- Became a service director in 2013
- Served as acting CEO from December 2021
- Appointed as the permanent CEO in January 2023
Achievements and Initiatives
During her tenure, Mary Beth has led and implemented several significant initiatives that have had wide-ranging impacts across the child welfare sector.1 Some of her notable accomplishments include:
- Establishing the Child Welfare Immigration Centre of Excellence
- Collaborating with Native Child & Family Services of Toronto to provide culturally appropriate services to Indigenous families in Peel
- Creating the Trailblazers Youth Centre
- Expanding the agency's Kinship and Family Finding programs
- Leading the child welfare sector's provincial Syrian Refugee Response
Leadership Philosophy
As the first female CEO in Peel CAS's history, Mary Beth is known for her belief that actions speak louder than words.1 She ensures that equity, anti-racism, and Truth and Reconciliation are at the center of the agency's practices. Her leadership style emphasizes kindness, relationship-building, and a focus on serving clients, staff, and the community.1
Professional Background
Mary Beth has 14 years of experience in non-profit management, executive leadership, and governance.2 Her skills include strategic and operational planning, which she applies in her role as CEO to guide Peel CAS towards building a stronger, healthier community in partnership with families and other stakeholders.1
Highlights
Each year on #internationalwomensday, Peel Children's Aid Society (Peel CAS) joins the global movement to celebrate, honour, and acknowledge the contributions of women in our communities and around the globe.
We also continue to advocate and partner with our community with a view to ending gender based discrimination and violence that continues to impact the children, youth, and families we serve.
This year the amazing women who work at Peel CAS are also honouring fellow women who have influenced and impacted their own personal and professional development. Highlighting just a few of those leaders who #inspireinclusion and are committed to lifting up the next generation of female leaders:
Priscilla Manful, Talyah Breslin, Daria Allan-Ebron, MSW, RSW, Lisa Tomlinson MSW., RSW. (She, Her, Elle), Juliet Jackson, Maryann Kerr, Carol Kotacka, EMBA, Lisa Hewison, Brenda Moody, Arminda Gonzalez-Dumpierrez, IMBA, CMP, ACC, Charlene Randall, Deana DeGrace, Helen Doulos, Sylvia Kolitsopoulos, Shemina Virjee, Vineeta Moraes
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the launch for Toronto Maple Leafs and Justin Bieber’s drew house's new ball hockey league. Peel Children's Aid Society (Peel CAS) was 1 of 5 organizations chosen as a site for The House of Hockey league (presented by sponsor Tim Hortons) which will provide free ball hockey programming to children and youth through our Trailblazers Youth Centre. We are so incredibly grateful to be included in this initiative to help young people succeed by providing opportunities for fun and recreation while helping them build social connections with peers, nurture positive well-being, and learn important life skills from mentors.
Every young person deserves the joy and camaraderie that comes from an opportunity to participate in sports and together we are leveling the playing field for vulnerable children and youth in our community. To all of the generous donors and supporters including the wonderful teams at MLSE Foundation Game Changers, MLSE LaunchPad and our Peel Children's Aid Foundation, thank you for making this dream a reality for the children and youth we support!
📸 Darcy Tucker, Mark Fraser
