The 2025 recipient of the Global Impact Award is The Honourable Katherine Hay.

Across borders and time zones, The Honourable Katherine Hay has shown that when youth needs meet data-driven design, access transforms at scale. At Kids Help Phone, she led the shift from charity-based services to a tech-enabled, 24/7, multilingual e-mental health platform, reaching young people where they are and when they need it most. Since 2018, the service has engaged with youth more than 25 million times, including a 137 percent surge in 2020, during a period of heightened need.

Innovation met equity in practice through initiatives such as Canada’s first crisis texting service for young people, Finding Hope for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth, Rise Up for Black youth, and New Journeys for newcomer and refugee communities. She spearheaded the $300 million Feel Out Loud campaign and launched acceleratorKHP, turning bold ideas into trusted, timely, and free support.

Now serving as a Canadian Senator, Katherine Hay continues to champion digital health, virtual care, data leadership, and youth empowerment, keeping impact both national and global.

For her vision, leadership, and commitment to transforming access to mental health support, The Honourable Katherine Hay is a deserving recipient of this award.

Congratulations to The Honourable Katherine Hay.