On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Kartusch as the new Executive Director of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto, effective January 7, 2019.
Mark brings to CCAS over 30 years of child welfare experience, most recently with Highland Shores Children’s Aid where he was the Executive Director since 2012. Mark holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor in Psychology. Prior to his work at Highland Shores, Mark was seconded as Senior Project Manager to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services where, along with the project team, he received the Amethyst Award, the highest order of recognition for excellence in the Ontario Public Service. In addition to these roles, Mark has worked as Director of Service at Hastings Children’s Aid Society and at Durham Children’s Aid Society where he also supervised the Foster Care department. He began working in Ontario as a Child Protection Worker and later as a Child Protection Supervisor at the Children’s Aid Society of Algoma.
Mark started his career in Saskatchewan, working in a residential treatment and school program for adolescents and at a secure custody facility for Young Offenders. Mark also participated in a cross-cultural placement program at a school for developmentally delayed children and adults in Barbados. Mark has been involved in quality assurance since the early 90’s and most recently has had the honour of working closely with Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services as they move towards the restoration of their mandate as an Indigenous Child and Family Well Being Agency in March of 2019.
Our Board was impressed with Mark’s guiding passion for children and youth. He has an unwavering commitment to the principle that children are entitled to a safe environment in a stable family within their community that facilitates their identity and growth. He is a strong advocate for both the importance of child welfare and in recognizing the harms that it has caused to Indigenous, African Canadian and other marginalized communities.
Mark is Roman Catholic and is married with two children. Mark was attracted to the CCAS mission, vision and values and is excited and looking forward to leading a Catholic Children’s Aid Society as we approach our 125th year.
Please join the Board of Directors in extending congratulations and welcoming Mark Kartusch to the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto.
Sincerely,
Erin O'Brien
CCAS Board President
