The Canvas Health Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Khu Thao, MSW, PsyD, LP, LICSW, as the agency’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective Feb. 28, 2022. Thao will succeed Dr. Matt Eastwood, who will retire after serving as CEO since 2015.
Dr. Thao is a highly respected leader in the mental health care community and is currently the Vice President of Community Mental Health for Touchstone Mental Health in Minneapolis. In that role, she provides executive leadership and oversight of multiple service lines, including case management, behavioral health, residential treatment, and outpatient services. She also has served as Senior Director of Operations at Touchstone. Prior to that, her professional roles have included Clinical Manager at Amherst Wilder Foundation, Clinical Psychologist Fellow at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis, clinician at Washburn Center for Children, and child protection social worker for both Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.
“We are confident that Dr. Thao is the right person to lead Canvas Health at this pivotal time,” said Karna Peters, Canvas Health Board Chair. “As a clinician, she understands and is fully committed to providing excellent care to clients. Additionally, Khu has a proven track record of persistence and results in driving initiatives and being a positive and insightful problem solver. She’s also a respected leader in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.”
Thao has an Executive Leadership Certification for Nonprofit Management from University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, a Psy.D. from Minnesota School of Professional Psychology, a Master of Social Work from the University of Minnesota, and a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College. She is a recipient of the prestigious Bush Fellowship and a Title VI-E Welfare Fellowship.
“I am thrilled and honored at the opportunity to lead Canvas Health,” said Thao. “The agency is in a position of growth and is poised to build on its rich history of providing excellent clinical care to those who need it most. I’m most excited about offering my experience and commitment to service of others to Canvas Health’s incredible staff and clients.”