New Director Appointed to Lead Rise Asset Development’s Next Phase of Growth.

Toronto – A senior executive with a track record of leadership in the health sector has been appointed executive director of Rise Asset Development, which with the support of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), provides microfinancing and mentorship to entrepreneurs with a history of mental health or addiction challenges.

Jodi Butts most recently was Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Operations at Mount Sinai Hospital. In this role, she held executive responsibility for the Hospital's capital infrastructure, governance, legal and ethical affairs, as well as corporate and hospitality services. A lawyer by training, she has a strong track record of leading strategic partnerships, major capital projects and change management initiatives.  She is currently a member of the Governance Committee and a nominee to the Board of Directors of the Wellesley Institute, a policy think tank established to advance urban health, with a special focus on the social determinants of health.

“Jodi brings with her significant leadership experience in the health sector and a passionate commitment to equity that will serve Rise well as she takes on the complex task of growing the impact of Rise’s mission,” says Rotman Prof. Brian Golden who is the Chairman of the Rise Board of Directors and the Director of the Centre for Health Sector Strategy at the Rotman School. “I would also like to thank our founding executive director, Narinder Dhami, for her enthusiasm and the leadership she demonstrated during Rise’s early beginnings as she leaves Rise to purse an opportunity in impact investing in West Africa.”

Rise Asset Development stands as an innovative award-winning social finance enterprise that has supported over 400 individuals with an array of services including business advisory support, business training and access to micro-financing. Rise is committed to improving the lives of people who are unable to secure employment due to mental health or addictions challenges who are interested in pursuing self-employment. Based on the generous support of Sandra A. Rotman, this initiative was created jointly in 2009 by the Rotman School and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).  Rise boasts a thriving and dedicated community of staff, partners, donors and volunteers, with offices in Toronto and Ottawa, in collaboration with Causeway Work Centre – with more locations coming soon. Additional information may be found at www.riseassetdevelopment.ca.

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For more information:

Jodi Butts
Executive Director
Rise Asset Development
E-mail jodi@riseassetdevelopment.ca
Follow Rise on Twitter @RiseCAN
 
Ken McGuffin
Manager, Media Relations
Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto
Voice 416.946.3818
E-mail mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca
Follow Rotman on Twitter @rotmanschool
Watch Rotman on You Tube www.youtube.com/rotmanschool