TRIEC Announces Executive Director Departure and Appointment of Interim Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO (ONTARIO) November 7, 2019 – Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) announced today the departure of Executive Director Margaret Eaton. Margaret has accepted the role of National CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) which she will begin in January 2020. Her last day at TRIEC will be December 13, 2019.

According to Catherine Chandler-Crichlow, Chair of the Board of Directors, TRIEC has thrived under Margaret’s leadership since 2012, where she has led a wide range of initiatives and been a vital voice on the value immigrants make to the economy and culture of Canada. Under her directorship, TRIEC’s flagship mentoring program has flourished and a new pilot National Mentoring Partnership has begun. She has been a key supporter of increased collaboration between TRIEC’s Professional Immigrant Networks and has guided the growth of the organization’s research and knowledge mobilization initiatives.

Margaret has been instrumental in growing TRIEC’S network of employers and other champions to help build more diverse, inclusive workplaces. Most recently, she has led the development of a Reconciliation strategy that will advance Indigenous reconciliation with the immigrant communities TRIEC works with in the years to come.

“On behalf of the board, and the whole team at TRIEC, I want to extend our gratitude to Margaret, who has provided visionary leadership to the organization,” said Chandler-Crichlow.

Debroy Chan, who is currently Director of Immigrant Inclusion Strategies, will step in as interim executive director until the board appoints to the role.

“The Board is grateful to Debroy for taking up the interim role, and is confident that he, with his years of expertise in the immigrant employment space, will steer TRIEC with aplomb,” Chandler-Crichlow said.

Margaret is excited for a new challenge but reflects fondly on her experience in the immigration sector, “I leave more committed than ever to the cause of immigrant inclusion in Canada”, she said. “Every non-indigenous Canadian can trace our history back to someone who set out to build a new life for themselves and their family. I would like to thank the immigrant professionals who have shared their stories with me and inspired me with their resilience, openness and expertise and letting me share in their journey.”

Chandler-Crichlow said while she looks forward to seeing TRIEC change and grow that “Margaret’s warmth and generosity of spirit for her staff, partners and newcomers to Canada will be missed. We wish her all the very best in this next step and look forward to the positive impact we know she will make as an advocate and leader in mental health.”

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For more information, please contact:
Andrea Thompson
Senior Manager, Communications
416.944.1946 x 271
athompson@triec.ca

About TRIEC
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC) champions the talent and experience that immigrants bring to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They support organizations to become more inclusive, and help newcomers expand their professional networks and understand the local labour market. They collaborate with leaders and organizations to build a GTA where immigrant professionals can contribute to their full potential.