We encourage the exploration of bold ideas and innovations that are effective and human-centered.
Founded by the Michael H. McCain Family, the Daymark Foundation aims to transform the way we think about and address mental health in Canada. We are united in our resolve to measurably improve outcomes at scale.
Our Approach
We recognize the complexity of the issues we seek to address, and understand the limits of traditional grantmaking. Our approach is to:
Think Systemically
We try to take a step back and see a field as a whole, with all the interconnectivity that lies within it. We look for key leverage points that can tip a system in a positive direction, and interventions that have broad ripple effects. We dig deep to understand and address root causes.
Play the Long Game
We understand that real change takes time. In addition to supporting initiatives that provide immediate benefit to people struggling with mental illness, we also invest in activities that will generate impact over the longer-term. We believe in starting small but thinking big, with a view towards scale and sustainability.
Unblinkered Funding
We understand that many different actors have a role to play in transforming mental health—this includes charities as well as non-profit organizations, social enterprises and the private sector. We seek to engage with a range of organization types in order to achieve our goals.
Engage Meaningfully
We are more than just a funder: the Daymark Foundation can contribute to field-level impact as a convenor, thought partner, and capacity-builder. We want to get our hands dirty and work closely with stakeholders to achieve ambitious goals.
Learn and
Reflect
We know that there are no easy answers. We hypothesize how to achieve our goals, pay attention to see if we are on the right track, and change course if necessary. We see every grant and project as an opportunity to learn, and challenge ourselves and our partners to apply learnings to future efforts.
Measure
Impact
We commit to using data to track progress towards our goals and objectives. We believe in the power of metrics to tell a story, and to push the Daymark Foundation and its project partners towards excellence. We use measurement and evaluation to inform strategy and ultimately, improve impact.
Staff
Lynda Kuhn
Chief Executive Officer
Lynda brings more than three decades of experience in social impact, sustainability, public affairs and communications. Before becoming CEO, she served on Daymark’s board. Lynda spent over 20 years as an executive at Maple Leaf Foods, where she led sustainability, communications, government relations and the establishment of the Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security, which she continues to Chair. Earlier in her career she worked in Mi’kmaq communities in Atlantic Canada to advance economic and social priorities and led public affairs for a large environmental company. She has an undergraduate degree from Dalhousie University, where she serves on the Advisory Council, and a master's degree from McGill University.
Lisa Rae
Head of Strategy and Impact
Lisa brings more than 20 years of experience in systems change, public policy, advocacy, program development and implementation. Before joining Daymark, she was Director of Systems Change at Prosper Canada, where she led work to expand financial well-being for people with low incomes. Lisa has worked across governments, health, higher education and the nonprofit sectors to strengthen partnerships and translate evidence and lived experience into action. Lisa holds degrees from the University of Toronto and the University of King’s College, Halifax.
André Rebeiz
Leader, Programs and Project Management
André leads programs and projects across Daymark’s mental health portfolios and plays a key role in advancing its work in bipolar disorder. He works with grantee partners, researchers, healthcare leaders, community organizations and people with lived experience to turn ideas into concrete initiatives, guiding them from exploration through implementation and toward scale. André holds a master’s degree in Public Management from Sciences Po Paris. Before Daymark, he created and led a national workplace mental health initiative in Canada’s K–12 public education sector.
Board
Lauren Jones-Davies
Executive Chair
Lauren is a long-time champion of mental health, which she channelled into establishing the Daymark Foundation on behalf of her family. Previously, she worked in marketing at PepsiCo in Canada and the UK, as well as with early-stage companies focusing on strategy & operations. Lauren is currently a Director of Maple Leaf Foods, Element Event Solutions, and McCain Capital Inc. as well as a UK Trustee of Roots of Empathy. Lauren received her MBA from London Business School; she has completed the Directors Education Program at the Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation.
Board Members
Michael H. McCain
Jonathan McCain
Hilary McCain
Noor Youssef
Joe Murphy
David Goldbloom
Uppala Chandrasekera