Mary C. Deacon

Mary Deacon is Chair of Bell Let's Talk, a national mental health initiative that supports improved access to care, workplace best practices, research, and anti-stigma programs. Mary's long and successful career in the philanthropic sector includes almost a decade as the inaugural President of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation - supporting Canada's largest mental health hospital. A passionate advocate in the mental health community, Mary is respected and known for bringing people and ideas together to create positive change. A graduate of the University of Guelph, Mary has received honourary doctorates from her alma mater, Wilfrid Laurier University and Dalhousie University for her pivotal leadership role in Canadian mental health and philanthropy. She received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and in 2019 was appointed to the Order of Canada. Mary resides in Toronto, Canada, and has four children. She joined the Stratford Festival's Board in April 2022 and serves on the Marketing and Communications Committee.