The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction Welcomes Susan Russell-Csanyi to its Board of Directors

The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) proudly welcomes Susan Russell-Csanyi to its Board of Directors, following a Governor in Council appointment by the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health. 

“On behalf of the Board, we are delighted to welcome Susan. Her integrity, and depth of experience with youth and prevention make her an excellent addition. We look forward to her guidance in the years ahead, as we continue to evolve and expand,” stated Dr. Alexander Caudarella, Chief Executive Officer at CCSA. 

Ms. Russell-Csanyi is a founding and current member of the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates. The Council brings together provincial and territorial advocates with lived experience in the child protection system, Youth in Care Networks and key allies. She brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit and public policy sectors and has worked extensively with marginalized populations to advance whole health initiatives. Her contributions to supporting youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness have been widely recognized. In 2022, Susan received the Katharine McParland Changemakers Award, named after her late mentor, a passionate advocate for youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Thirteen individuals comprise CCSA’s volunteer Board of Directors. The Governor in Council of Canada appoints the Chair and four Board members. The Board recruits the remaining member-at-large positions. Ms. Russell-Csanyi’s appointment completes several recent changes to the Board.  Last month, Dr. Louis Francescutti, Neil Arao, Cheryl Fraser and Dr. Dirk Huyer were named to the Board. Dr. Francescutti was also appointed as Chair of the Board. 

CCSA Board members contribute diverse experience and expertise to the strategic oversight of the organization, representing several sectors, including the business community, health professional groups, and professional and voluntary organizations. Board members typically serve a three-year term, which can be extended for up to two additional terms.