Akela Peoples is the CEO of Mental Health Research Canada. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Bachelor of Education, an Honours B.A. and Executive Leadership Certificates from Harvard University, Western University’s Ivey School of Business and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. A values-driven, impact-focused leader, Akela has twice been awarded the WXN Top 100: Canada’s Most Powerful Women award, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Award of Distinction and the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International.  Akela is a world traveller who has ventured to all seven continents and more than 90 countries and independent territories. She also combined travel with her passion for community - she has volunteered in Chile and El Salvador building houses with Habitat for Humanity.
She feels fortunate to always have had work that she loves and is proud to live a life of contribution through her leadership roles and volunteer activities.