A seasoned health system leader and municipal councillor steps into the top role at CMHA Lambton Kent during a period of growing demand for mental health and addiction services.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Lambton Kent Branch has named Melissa Sharpe-Harrigan as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition at a time of increasing pressure on mental health and addiction services across the region.
Sharpe-Harrigan brings a broad background in public sector leadership, health system transformation, and policy development. She most recently served as Executive Transformation Lead with the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team, where she worked across organizations to support system-level planning and integration.
Her experience also includes a leadership role with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance as Director of Medical Affairs and Medical Recruitment. In that position, she worked closely with physicians, hospital leadership, and community partners to support recruitment efforts and strengthen medical leadership structures.
Throughout her career, Sharpe-Harrigan has held a range of roles spanning healthcare, academia, and government, with a focus on coordination, strategy, and system improvement.
She also currently serves as a municipal councillor representing West Kent Ward 1, bringing a governance perspective shaped by direct involvement in local decision-making and community priorities.
Her appointment comes as CMHA Lambton Kent continues to respond to what it describes as an escalating mental health and addiction crisis affecting communities across both counties.
The organization provides services to more than 7,000 adults and youth annually, including crisis intervention, outreach, and integrated care programs. Services are delivered across Lambton and Chatham-Kent, including partnerships with First Nations communities and regional health teams.
Alongside the leadership announcement, CMHA Lambton Kent has launched a recruitment effort to strengthen its Board of Directors, seeking individuals with diverse expertise to help guide the organization through a period of growing complexity and demand.
Applications for board positions are open until April 20.
