Trish Barbato
President and CEO
Trish Barbato is a transformational healthcare executive and award-winning innovator who drives breakthrough change at the intersection of healthcare, innovation, and social impact.
As President and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada, Trish leads the nation’s largest arthritis organization, championing bold initiatives that reshape how millions of Canadians access care and support. Her leadership philosophy centres on harnessing innovation – both internally and externally – to inspire teams toward clear strategic objectives.
Recognition for her groundbreaking work includes receiving the Innovation Leader Impact Award, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and named as a finalist Global Impact, Women’s Empowerment Awards.
Trish brings over two decades of C-suite experience across healthcare transformation. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Innovation and Strategic Partnerships at Revera Inc., where she spent a decade pioneering new approaches to senior care. As President & CEO of COTA Health, she led a rehabilitation and mental health organization through critical growth phases. Her executive portfolio spans roles as VP Corporate Services and CFO at Providence Healthcare, Managing Director at Bayshore Healthcare, and Senior Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Beyond the boardroom, Trish co-founded two mission-driven organizations: the Menopause Foundation of Canada, where she’s advocating to end the silence and stigma around menopause, and Community Meditation, advancing mindfulness and wellness accessibility. Her volunteer leadership spans over 25 years, including serving as Board Chair for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and a two-time Big Sister herself.
A University of Waterloo graduate and Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant, Trish is a published author and sought-after international speaker on design thinking, healthcare, innovation, culture, and leadership. She holds a black belt in Kung Fu kickboxing, is a certified fitness and meditation instructor, and her golf game is “a work in progress.”
