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Apr 8, 2021

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Unsinkable, Founded by Silken Laumann, Announces All-Women Board of Directors

Unsinkable, Founded by Silken Laumann, Announces All-Women Board of Directors

TORONTO, April 8, 2021 - Unsinkable is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Directors, a result of considerable organizational growth and evolution during the global pandemic. Unsinkable is founded by four-time Olympic medallist Silken Laumann with the goal of moving people forward to whole health by integrating mental and physical health strategies in their lives. Unsinkable uses the power of personal story to build community connection, resources, programming, and events. The board provides leadership for carrying out the organization’s mission to provide education, support, and community to people struggling with their mental health.

This all-women board is a dynamic and passionate group of corporate and community leaders, many of whom have contributed time and resources over the years to various Unsinkable efforts and initiatives including Unsinkable Youth, the CTV/Bell Media one-hour special in support of Kids Help Phone. A celebration and showcase for young people across Canada, the 60-minute show featured a number of A-list stars including Seth Rogen, Alessia Cara, Madison Bailey, as well as Canadian youth from across the country. Unsinkable Youth inspired over two million Canadian families while encouraging them to reach out for support. Laumann and co-host Maitreyi Ramakrishnan have been nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Host in a Live Entertainment Special.

Goodlife Fitness has been the founding partner of Unsinkable since their 2019 launch; since the Unsinkable Youth event, the organization has received sponsorship from Sun Life and Intact Financial. Unsinkable is grateful for ongoing support from Facebook Canada, The Lecky Foundation, RBC, Miller Thomson LLP, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, and many individual donors. In the coming months, the organization plans to work strategically with York University to advance mental health research and mobilize those findings with the common goal of educating Canadians towards better mental health.

The Unsinkable website recently underwent a relaunch to showcase the incredible team, volunteers, partners, board of directors, and to offer additional mental health resources, support programs, and information on how people can get involved in the cause. The website also still hosts over 120 incredible personal stories of human struggle and perseverance.

Unsinkable has partnered up with RetreatCandleCo.com to launch “Candles for a Cause”, an initiative to raise funds for youth mental health programs in Toronto that will support BIPOC youth and youth with disordered eating. In the coming months, Retreat Candle Co will work with local Indigenous artists to launch The Vancouver Candle, with more cities to follow. Retreat’s goal is to raise 10 million dollars in 10 years for youth mental health.

Please join Unsinkable in welcoming its new Board of Directors:

Lynn Keane, Author and Former Broadcast Journalist, Mental Health and Social Justice

Advocate, Community Champion at Unsinkable

Silken Laumann, Olympian, Author, Speaker, Unsinkable Founder

Judy Lung, Vice President, Communications & Marketing, Touchwood PR

Meera Mukundan, Creative Researcher

Kate Nazar, Vice President, Strategy and Market Development Group Retirement Services, Sun Life Canada

Franca Piacente, Executive Producer (Production Specialist), former SVP/Head of Production Services, Leo Burnett

Divya Shahani, Entertainment, Corporate and IP Lawyer, Miller Thomson LLP

Unsinkable was inspired by the stories of courage and resilience I have heard over the past three decades since having my own accident ten weeks before the Olympic Games,” said Silken Laumann, Olympian/Founder, Unsinkable. “The shared strategies and community built through our platform helps thousands of Canadians on their journey towards better mental and physical health.  The board has been chosen through their unwavering commitment to our work at Unsinkable, and the incredible talent and integrity of each individual. I am deeply proud of our organization and the team we have created and the board will be a welcome and needed extension of this team.” 

“The Unsinkable organization is here to listen, to learn, to understand, and to continue to respond to the needs of the people, said Christine Bays, Executive Director, Unsinkable. “We are dedicated to honouring the important role we play in the healing journey of these people by holding ourselves to the highest standards. Our Board of Directors offers a powerful layer of accountability and dedication to people struggling with their mental health. As we continue to build our capacity, Unsinkable welcomes collaborations with interested partners, sponsors, leaders, and board members. I am looking forward the impact we will make together as a team.”

About Unsinkable

Unsinkable is a not-for-profit organization founded by Silken Laumann. We provide support and a platform for people sharing their stories of struggle and perseverance. Our mission is to educate, empower, and connect people on their journey to whole health. Our commitment to providing timely support is activated through our diverse community, our online events, our support programs, and our health and wellbeing resources. Together, we are unsinkable.

Social Media
Website:
 weareunsinkable.com
Hashtag: 
#Unsinkable
Twitter: @Unsinkable
Facebook:
 facebook.com/WeAreUnsinkable
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unsinkablestories/ 
Youth Instagramwww.instagram.com/unsinkableyouth
TIK TOK:
 @unsinkableyouth

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