Heather Gates, President and CEO of nonprofit behavioral healthcare provider Community Health Resources (CHR), was recently elected as the First Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the nation’s leading advocacy organization representing agencies like CHR that provide mental health and substance use services for people across the country.
This is a two-year term, after which Gates will become the Chair in 2027.
“I’m humbled and honored to continue my service in a leadership role with the National Council, especially at a time when it is so critical to expand access to care for everyone,” Gates said.
Since joining the National Council Board in 2019, she has served on an Expert Panel on Mass Violence, the Membership Committee, and the Linda Rosenberg Leadership Institute Work Group. In 2023, she was elected to a leadership role as Second Vice Chair of the Board.
In addition to her role with the National Council, Gates continues to advocate for people of all ages whose lives have been touched by mental illness, addictions, and trauma. She is actively involved with many statewide organizations and is Vice Chair of the CT Non-profit Alliance.