Sue O’Leary to leave Mind after nine years of dedicated service
After nine years at Mind, Sue O’Leary has decided to leave the organisation.
Sue joined the charity in 2016, initially as Head of Operations in Wales. She was appointed Director of Mind Cymru in 2021, before going on to serve as Executive Director of Mind Cymru and Social Impact in 2023.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“Sue has made an outstanding contribution to Mind over the past nine years. Her leadership has been pivotal in strengthening mental health support in Wales and across England, and her commitment to our mission has been unwavering. We are deeply grateful for everything she has achieved and the passion she has brought to her work.
“Sue’s work builds on the efforts of those who came before her. She leaves a strong foundation for the future, and those who follow will be standing on the shoulders of giants. While we will miss her enormously, we wish her every success in the next chapter of her career.”
Under Sue’s leadership, Mind Cymru secured nearly £6m in investment from the Welsh Government, allowing the organisation to reach a whole new level of scale and impact. The programmes this funding helped to support – Social Prescribing, Active Monitoring, My Generation, Peer Support Hubs, Missing Middle – have so far supported well over 30,000 people in Wales who were looking for help with their mental health — enough people to fill Cardiff City Stadium.
Sue also led the Wales Alliance for Mental Health, bringing together mental health leaders across the country to successfully influence politicians and policy makers and to advocate for better mental health provision and access to support.
After careful consideration, she has decided now is the right time to focus on the next steps in her career. This will involve working more in Wales, initially devoting more time to her recent voluntary role as Magistrate.
Stevie Spring, Mind’s Chair of Trustees, said:
“Sue’s impact on Mind and on mental health services in England and Wales has been truly significant. She has led with integrity, compassion, and determination, helping to shape our organisation and improve the lives of countless people. She leaves with the enduring admiration and respect of the Board.”
Emrys Elias, Chair of the Pwyllgor (the Mind Cymru committee), said:
“The reach and impact that Mind Cymru has now is on a new level thanks to Sue. We have reached tens of thousands more people and transformed countless lives because of her work. She has created programmes and partnerships that will continue to deliver impact now and in the future.”
Transitional arrangements are in place in Wales for Director level cover as Mind moves towards operating in its new structure and until further appointments are made to that new structure.
