Whether she’s visiting a remote community or speaking at a national conference, Dr. Patricia Pottie is always in motion—listening, learning, and leading.
Her suitcase is often packed, not for vacation, but for purpose: growing access to mental health care across Canada. This tireless commitment to innovation and equity is what helped earn her a place among Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs for 2025.
Dr. Patricia Lingley-Pottie is the co-founder, President and CEO of Strongest Families Institute (SFI) and SFI’s proprietary electronic information system IRIS) Intelligent Research and Intervention Software) including SFIs companion App. She is also Assistant Professor at Dalhousie and Scientist at the IWK Health Centre, continuing to advance SFI/IRIS and SFI App innovation to improve access and quality services with the goal of changing lives.
This year marks her third selection for this prestigious award, having previously been honoured in 2018 and 2024.
The Top 50 CEO Awards celebrate leaders who demonstrate outstanding business acumen, community engagement, and innovation. Dr. Pottie’s recognition affirms her as not only a champion of mental health equity, but also a leader whose impact extends far beyond the boardroom.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful—not just for me, but for my dedicated team at Strongest Families,” says Dr. Pottie. “We share a deep belief that no one should face mental health challenges alone. I’ve seen firsthand the impact our work has on families, and it’s what motivates me every day.”
SFI is a not-for-profit charitable organization offering free, evidence-based, distance-delivered mental health services to children, youth, adults, and families. Through telephone coaching, SFI provides timely, stigma-free support to families when and where they need it most. The impacts are life-changing—and are the driving force behind Dr. Pottie’s passion for ensuring equitable access to mental health supports to all Canadians.
Dr. Pottie has made it her life’s work to remove barriers to care for families struggling with mental health challenges. From delivering community presentations to collaborating with health leaders and policymakers, she’s become a well-respected voice in the field—not just for what she says, but for what she does.
Under Dr. Pottie’s leadership, what began as a Nova Scotia pilot has become a nationally scaled organization serving thousands of Canadians from coast to coast to coast, including our most vulnerable populations—our young people, the future of our country. Her approach is deeply rooted in research and real-world impact, ensuring that the support SFI offers is not only accessible, but also highly effective.
With demand for mental health services rising, Dr. Pottie and her team at SFI are more committed than ever to expanding their reach, empowering families, and transforming care—one phone call, one conversation, one life at a time.
To learn more about SFI’s programs, and how you can make a difference, visit www.strongestfamilies.com