Introducing New Board Member Brian Zeiler-Kligman

Currently Vice President, Ontario Government Relations at Sussex Strategy Group, Brian works with his clients – who come from a broad swath of industries – to help them put together strategies on how to work with the Ontario government. With over 15 years of professional experience, Brian’s expertise covers a wide range of disciplines. A lawyer by trade, he is a skilled, results-oriented government relations and public policy professional with a consistent record of achievements and leadership.

Brian and his wife have a nine-year-old son with whom they enjoy many activities including baseball and skiing.

Experience Matters

In addition to his considerable professional expertise, Brian brings more than six years of experience at a board level, serving as chair for both the BC Brewers’ Recycled Container Collection Council & the Alberta Beer Container Corporation, while also representing the beer industry on the Beverage Container Management Board and the Board of Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation. With proven success in building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, elected officials and their staff (at all levels of government), industry professionals and the public, we are lucky to have Brian on board.

What drew Brian to Eli’s Place

With close ties to members of the organization and as a volunteer member on our Government Relations Committee, Brian felt that the time was right to lend his experience to Eli’s Place in a new capacity. Brian has always admired David and Deborah Cooper, Eli’s Place founders, for the way they dealt with grief and began the process of building a vision based on helping others. As someone who has dealt with grief in the past (Brian lost his brother early on in his childhood to ulcerative colitis), he wants to help turn our vision of a residential treatment centre into a reality to help the growing need to build effective and sustainable treatment options for young adults.

On the subject of mental health

With an eye to the younger generation — even as young as elementary school-aged youth — Brian believes that mental health awareness is strong, but resources are seriously lacking. The unmet demand for mental health treatment options is huge. There is a “significant gap in the market that needs to be filled.” In terms of recovery, Brian feels that we must find something that has a lasting impact. “A short term stay in a medical facility will not suffice. The rural, residential aspect of Eli’s Place is something sorely needed to provide coping skills. Young people will gain skills and will know that there is a pathway out.”

Laughter as the Best Medicine

As someone who suffers from a chronic disease, Brian has found humour to be a strong coping mechanism. In his spare time, Brian is an amateur comedian who has participated in amateur nights showcasing his talents. He understands the need for coping mechanisms and knows that pain needs to find a release. In addition to being on stage from time to time, he also performed a radio show that aired on CBC Radio One titled “Tales from the Toilet.” He has even penned an article for the Globe and Mail displaying his comedic styling. 

In conclusion

The evolution of mental health in society speaks to the need for a long-term solution and Eli’s Place will look to close that gap with their vision of a rural, residential treatment facility. As a past volunteer and donor, in his new role as a director on the Eli’s Place Board, Brian hopes to help us achieve the goal of creating our model and helping young people better rehabilitate themselves.

Eli’s Place is excited to welcome Brian with his unique skill set, positive outlook and experience to our board.

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Eli’s Place will be a rural, residential treatment program for young adults with serious mental illness. To learn more about our mission and our proven-effective model click here.