Katie Hughes
About Katie Hughes
Katie Hughes serves as the Vice President of Public Health Response at the First Nations Health Authority, where she provides leadership in managing public health emergencies in British Columbia. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in mental health management, she has held various senior roles over nearly 25 years in the field.
Work at First Nations Health Authority
Katie Hughes currently serves as the Vice President of Public Health Response at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She has held this position since 2020, providing executive leadership in managing public health responses. Hughes oversees the planning and execution of responses to dual public health emergencies in British Columbia. Prior to her current role, she was the Executive Director of Mental Health and Wellness at FNHA from 2017 to 2020. Since joining FNHA in 2018, she has been instrumental in managing public health responses.
Education and Expertise
Katie Hughes has a strong educational background in psychology and management. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Psychology and Child Studies from Brock University from 1990 to 1994. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Arts degree in Management from City University of Seattle between 2007 and 2009. Additionally, she holds a Human Resources Management Certificate from Ryerson University, where she studied from 1995 to 1997. Hughes is also a certified Project Management Professional, reflecting her expertise in project management.
Background
Katie Hughes has over 25 years of experience in progressively senior roles related to mental health and wellness. She began her career at the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), where she served as Program Manager from 1998 to 2002, followed by a role as Senior Director of Operations at CMHA, BC Division from 2014 to 2017. Hughes also worked as the Executive Director at the Canadian Mental Health Association North and West Vancouver Branch from 2002 to 2012. Additionally, she held the position of Operations Manager at BC Housing for one year in 2013.
Achievements
Katie Hughes has been involved in significant initiatives during her career. At the First Nations Health Authority, she oversaw the inaugural First Nations Mental Health and Wellness Summit, demonstrating her commitment to advancing mental health initiatives. Her leadership in public health response management has been crucial since November 2020, particularly in addressing the public health challenges faced in British Columbia. Her extensive experience in mental health and wellness positions her as a key figure in the field.