Wanasah
Executive Director
We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa and the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with Mississaugas of the Credit.
Wanasah: Mental Health Services for Black Youthis a community-based, non-profit organization dedicated to providing culturally safe, Black-centric mental health and addiction services for Black youth (ages 12-25) and their families in Regent Park and surrounding communities. Rooted in care, dignity, respect, humility and belonging, Wanasah exists to bridge longstanding gaps in access, trust and culturally responsive support - meeting young people where they are walking alongside them toward wellness and possibility.
Wanasah aims to advance healing and mental wellness through inclusive, healing centred, trauma-informed care with meaningful incorporation of spirituality and community voice in its programming. The organization works within an anti-racist, anti-Black racism, anti-islamaphobic, and anti-oppression framework that incorporates principles of intersectionality. It is within this context that Wanasah invites nominations and applications for the role of Executive Director, a position that will have an indelible impact on the future of the organization, the strength of its partnerships, and the quality and reach of mental health services available to Black Youth across Toronto.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides strategic and operational leadership for Wanasah, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, culturally grounded mental health and addictions services for Black youth and families. The Executive Director will guide the organization’s ongoing growth as a trusted community resource, aligning programs and priorities with Wanasah’s mission, values, and the lived realities of the communities it serves. The successful candidate will support the Board in fulfilling its governance responsibilities, lead the implementation of strategic and annual plans, and strengthen partnerships across Regent Park and surrounding communities, including relationships with Youth Ambassadors, funders and key important voices (e.g. community partners, allies, sponsors). With a focus on long-term sustainability, the Executive Director will provide strong financial oversight, advance fundraising and grant development efforts, and steward the resources needed to sustain and expand Wanasah’s impact.
The Executive Director will also help further build and support an effective staff and leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, care, and professional development while ensuring compliance with organizational policies and relevant legislation. They will champion clinical excellence, innovation, and evidence-informed service delivery, supported by strong evaluation and quality improvement frameworks. As Wanasah’s senior ambassador and advocate, the Executive Director will cultivate collaborative relationships, advance equity-centred mental health access, and ensure Wanasah remains a responsive and healing presence for Black youth and families in Toronto.
Qualifications
Among the qualifications sought, the incoming leader must demonstrate a deep and abiding commitment to advancing anti-oppression frameworks, reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all their forms, while actively resisting anti-Black racism and Islamophobia. They must also hold an intrinsic belief in leading with curiosity and humility, listening deeply, incorporating youth and community voices, and welcoming ideas that can be thoughtfully synthesized into meaningful action. While all candidates are encouraged to apply and, in so doing, share how they see themselves adding value to the Wanasah environment, the following credentials and/or experiences are seen as possible markers of the candidates most likely to realize success in the role: A) demonstrated leadership experience within community-based mental health, addictions, youth-serving, or culturally grounded care environments ideally with a clinical background; B) a capacity for building sustainable funding models through fundraising, grant development, and relationship-based stewardship; C) experience leading teams with a trauma-informed, equity-centred approach to organizational culture, accountability, and performance; and, D) a deep understanding of Black-centric mental health practice, working in community spaces, anti-oppression frameworks, and the systemic realities impacting Black youth and families.
The expected salary range for this position is $92,446 – $110,000 CAD per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. This posting reflects an existing vacancy within the organization.
How to Apply
Wanasah is a B3 organization and strong advocate for diversity in all its forms, and particularly encourages applications from Indigenous and racialized communities, women, persons with disabilities, the 2SLGTBQIA+ community, and those of diverse intersectional identities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sex, age, country of origin, protected veteran status, national origin, political beliefs, (dis)ability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy status, parental or personal leave status, or any other characteristic protected by law.]
Wanasah is partnering with BES Executive Search, a firm committed to ensuring that every search mandate engages a pluralistic and intersectional range of candidates. Applicants are guided through what BES calls 'The BES Experience' - a thoughtful, candidate-centered process that meets candidates with support and care throughout the search process. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply by clickingHERE .
In accordance with the Accessiblity for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), applicants living with a disablity will be provided with accommodation throughout the search process. Should accommodations be required, please make Jason Murray or Melissa Sumnauth aware by emailing @msumnauth@bessearch.com .
BES is deeply grateful to all who express interest in this opportunity and recognize the time and effort that goes into submitting an expression of interest. While only those most closely aligned with the position requirements will be contacted for an interview, all applications are reviewed with thoughtfulness and will receive correspondence from the firm as part of our commitment to delivering a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.
BES Executive Search Inc. does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants.
