Compete. Adapt. Lead.
Former professional athlete turned healthcare executive, Mark helps individuals and organizations excel in fast-changing environments with performance psychology and strategy.
Purposeful excellence.
Because great leadership is an inside job.
My Journey
From the Field to the Foundation
I began my journey on the soccer field, where I developed an early obsession with high performance—a drive to push limits, embrace pressure, and grow through challenge. Competing at elite levels taught me the fundamentals of leadership, discipline, and resilience in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.
But it wasn’t the victories that shaped me most—it was a moment of failure. During professional trials in Europe, I encountered a level of performance anxiety that caught me off guard. Physically, I was prepared. But mentally, I unraveled. My self-doubt outpaced my ability, and I watched an opportunity slip away—not because I wasn’t capable, but because I hadn’t yet mastered the inner game.
That moment changed everything. It sparked a deep, lifelong curiosity about the psychology of performance—how mindset can either fuel or sabotage even the most talented individuals. It’s a question I’ve pursued ever since, across sport, leadership, and health.
Today, that curiosity drives everything I do. Whether I’m working with athletes, executives, or mission-driven teams, the goal is the same: to help people perform with clarity, purpose, and confidence—especially when it matters most.
Personal Connection to Mental Health
My journey with mental health began long before I stepped into healthcare. It’s personal. I grew up witnessing the impact of addiction and mental illness in my own family. My cousin, who was my best friend, died of a fentanyl overdose. My uncle passed away from complications related to alcoholism. These experiences didn’t happen at a distance—they happened in front of me.
They left a mark. Not just in terms of grief, but in a growing need to understand what people go through and how we can do better.
Over time, that need became something more. I started asking harder questions, not just about others but about myself. That curiosity led me to where I am now—working to improve mental health systems, build stronger communities, and help people navigate the invisible battles that often define our lives.
Leading for Impact
After stepping away from elite sport, I found myself drawn to mission-focused leadership—work that aligned performance with purpose. The same mindset that helped me succeed on the field became the foundation for how I lead: with clarity, urgency, and care.
In 2016, I took on the role of President and CEO of a provincial mental health organization, where I led collaborative efforts that brought together partners from across Alberta to launch large-scale mental health initiatives. These included the development of digital support services and the founding of Kickstand—a first-of-its-kind integrated youth mental health initiative focused on early access and prevention.
Today, I serve as President and CEO of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation, where my focus is on advancing care through innovation, research, and translational impact. My work spans neurorehabilitation, brain-computer interface, and the future of human potential—and always centers on outcomes that matter for real people and families.
Alongside this work, I’m completing my Master’s in Counselling Psychology. It’s a continuation of a path I began years ago with a degree in psychology and a Master’s in public policy—and a reflection of my belief that systems only change when people within them are willing to grow.
Bringing It All Together
Throughout my journey—from high-level athletics to executive leadership—I’ve come to understand what it means to pursue excellence without losing sight of wellbeing. Competing at the elite level taught me how powerful the mind can be in shaping performance. Living through mental health challenges within my own family gave me empathy that no textbook ever could. And leading teams through periods of rapid change taught me how organizations can create meaningful outcomes when they lead with clarity and care.
My approach is rooted in both evidence and experience. I value data, discipline, and structure—but I also believe nothing replaces the power of genuine human connection. That’s true whether I’m supporting an individual client or helping a leadership team navigate complexity.
Looking back, it’s clear that some of my hardest experiences became my most important teachers. Today, I get to use those lessons to support others—people and organizations that are ready to grow, stretch, and move toward something better.
Credentials & Expertise
I currently serve as President and CEO of the Glenrose Hospital Foundation, where I lead strategic initiatives advancing health innovation across Alberta.
Previously, as President and CEO of the Alberta Mental Health Foundation, I united six foundations to raise $1.2 million for the Text4Hope program, supporting 60,000 Albertans during critical mental health challenges.
• Two-time CIS National Champion with University of Alberta Golden Bears Soccer
• Canada West MVP and CIS All-Canadian
• Represented Canada at World University Games, leading to historic 4th place finish
• Inducted into University of Alberta Sports Wall of Fame
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Alberta
• Master's in Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan
• Currently completing Master's in Counselling Psychology
• Trained in diverse therapeutic approaches including CBT, Solution-Focused, and Emotion-Focused Therapy
• Advisory Board Member, Global Centre for Mental Health, Dalhousie University
• Board Member, Global Psychological eHealth Foundation
• Previous Board Member, Golden Bears Soccer Alumni Association, Edmonton Community Foundation, Telus Edmonton Community Board
• Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, 2020
• Queen's Jubilee Medal, 2022
My Approach
Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul.
carl jung
Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist
This isn’t about forcing transformation. It’s about creating the right space for it to happen. When the environment is safe and the questions are right, people remember what they’re capable of. That’s the kind of work I care about.
The Dual-Impact Approach
True performance can’t come at the cost of wellbeing. And sustainable wellbeing doesn’t mean stepping back from ambition. The work is to align the two—to build systems where both are possible, and where neither needs to be sacrificed.
My approach is shaped by two paths: life as a professional athlete, and the ongoing study of the human mind. That combination has shown me what people are capable of—when the right support is in place. Whether I’m coaching individuals or guiding organizations, the lens is always the same. Performance matters. So does how you feel while getting there.
Why It Works
My methods are:
Sustainable
Unique
Practical
Traditional approaches often prioritize either results or wellbeing. The former leads to burnout; the latter may not deliver needed outcomes. My Dual-Impact methodology shows leaders how exceptional performance becomes sustainable precisely because of—not despite—practices that promote psychological health.
My background gives me unique insight into both worlds. I've experienced firsthand the pressures of elite performance environments, the challenges of mental health struggles, and the complex leadership demands of healthcare organizations. This combination allows me to bridge these domains in ways that create lasting transformation.
Whether working with healthcare leaders, foundation executives, or high-performance teams, I focus on practical strategies that deliver both immediate results and long-term sustainability—because true excellence requires both.
Areas of Expertise
I help executives develop psychological strategies to thrive under pressure while maintaining clarity and purpose. Drawing from my athletic background and mental health expertise, I provide leaders with practical tools to navigate uncertainty, overcome setbacks, and sustain high performance without burnout.
Having led major mental health initiatives including the Text4Hope program that reached 60,000 Albertans, I guide organizations in creating evidence-based mental health programs with measurable outcomes. My approach focuses on strategic integration, sustainable funding models, and meaningful impact assessment.
I transform team environments by applying principles from championship athletics to organizational leadership. My methodology helps leaders foster psychological safety while maintaining accountability, resulting in teams that achieve exceptional results through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.
My experience leading two major foundations informs my approach to non-profit excellence. I help organizations align mission with strategy, develop compelling cases for support, and implement innovative funding approaches that create sustainable growth and enhanced community impact.
I translate cutting-edge psychological research into practical applications for leaders and teams. By integrating cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, and emotional intelligence development, I help clients overcome performance barriers and achieve breakthrough results in high-stakes environments.
What Colleagues say
I had the pleasure of working with Mark for over 6 years. During our time together at both the Mental Health Foundation and the Glenrose Hospital Foundation, I had the privilege of learning from Mark's expertise. His visionary approach consistently brought new opportunities to our organizations and his leadership ensured we remained at the forefront of innovation and technology.
Mark is an approachable leader who is always open to collaboration. I felt heard, valued, and encouraged to grow as a member of his team. Mark is compassionate, professional, and cares deeply about his work and those around him.
Dana Torgalson
Communications & Web Advisor
College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA)
I had the privilege of working with Mark during his time as Provincial Coordinator at KidSport Saskatchewan. He is a very intelligent, understanding individual who sought to make our partnership as easy as possible.
Mark is the kind of person who is able to adapt to any situation and is able to understand the needs of the people he is working with.
Lindsay Anderson - Regional Director at Boardwalk
Mark finished at the top of the class out of 35 students. His research skills are stellar: Mark is an exceptionally good writer; he is articulate; he is analytical and critical. Mark is also professional and personable in his relations with others. I would not hesitate to work with him on a research project or to offer him employment. He would make an excellent colleague.
Hayley Hessein - Co-Founder & Executive Coach
why I do it
Beyond the Office
Coaching my daughters is one of the most grounding and meaningful parts of my life. The soccer field was where I first learned discipline, perseverance, and how to confront failure. Now, I get to share those lessons—not by instructing, but by showing up with them.
Watching them grow as players and people reminds me what this work is really about. It’s not about chasing medals or being the best. It’s about helping kids discover who they are—especially when things get hard. That’s when confidence is built. That’s when resilience begins to take root.
And that’s where they start to learn how to deal with failure. Not by avoiding it or pretending it doesn’t sting—but by facing it with honesty, learning from it, and stepping forward anyway. That’s the real win.
At home, my family keeps me connected to the things that matter most. Mental health isn’t just something I work on professionally—it’s something we live, together. In the way we talk to each other, how we show up, how we navigate the good days and the hard ones.
The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to live in alignment—with who we are and who we’re becoming.
Community & Life-Long Learning
I stay closely connected to the mental health and leadership communities through service, study, and sport. I currently serve on the boards of the Global Psychological eHealth Foundation and Dalhousie University’s Centre for Global Mental Health, both focused on on advancing care across cultures and systems, worldwide.
I’m completing my master’s in counselling psychology and finishing an internship at Insight Psychological. That clinical work keeps me grounded in the human side of everything I do—reminding me that real impact happens one conversation at a time.
I also coach both my daughters’ soccer teams. It’s one of the most rewarding things I do. Watching them grow through challenge and joy reinforces the values that matter most: perseverance, presence, and belief in your own potential.
As part of my commitment to lifelong learning and dialogue, I host Confronting the Madness—a podcast that explores some of the more pressing psychological issues of our time. From leadership and mental health to money and meaning, it’s a space to ask deeper questions and hear from those who are doing the same.
I’m continually exploring new insights at the intersection of psychology, performance, and human potential—through books, research, and honest conversations with others committed to growth.
Trusted by:
Ready To Work Together?
Working with me starts by understanding what matters most to you—your challenges, your aspirations, and the change you’re trying to lead. Whether you’re guiding a healthcare organization through transformation, growing the impact of an organization, or building a high-performing team, I offer a personalized approach that blends evidence-based strategy with real human connection.
Clients value my ability to translate psychological insight into practical leadership solutions—approaches that deliver results now while building the resilience to sustain them. My goal is to support transformation not just in outcomes, but in the way they’re achieved.
If you’re ready to explore a different kind of leadership journey, let’s connect!
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