Stacey Petersen has gained national recognition for his leadership in the addiction and mental health sector. He is a person in long term recovery, celebrating 36 years in recovery in October of 2023. Mr. Petersen joined Cedars Recovery as their Chief Executive Officer in October of 2021 and feels grateful to be at the helm of such an incredible organization with such an amazing staff team and ownership group. He is excited about the future of Cedars and the impact it will have on families and communities. Mr. Petersen, his wife and six of his seven children live a short commute to Cedars in Mill Bay on Vancouver Island B.C.  

For the 17.5 years before coming to Cedars, Mr. Petersen was the Executive Director of Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Calgary and Lethbridge. Prior to this he served as the President and CEO of Simon House Recovery Centre in Calgary.  

During Mr. Petersen's tenure at Fresh Start, he helped guide the organization through many years of growth and development, cultivating many positive relationships with hundreds of stakeholders. Fresh Start's community profile grew exponentially in Calgary and across Canada as a result. Under Mr. Petersen’s stewardship Fresh Start was named one of the top three treatment agencies in Canada by the Fraser Institute 2006-2012 and the number one treatment facility in all of Canada in 2010, 2013 and 2014 as well as receiving the prestigious Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Management and the Donner Award for Excellence in Social Services. Charity Intelligence Canada chose Fresh Start as a Top Canadian Agency from 2007-2021. In 2012, under Mr. Petersen's leadership, Fresh Start received a Calgary Award for Advocacy and developed the City of Calgary’s first Good Neighbour Agreement with the communities of Greenview, Thorncliffe and Highland Park. This was to prepare for the construction of their new, 40,000 square-foot purpose-built 50-bed treatment facility. 

Mr. Petersen is a Registered Social Worker, involved in the field for over 35 years. In 2011, Mr. Petersen was the recipient of the McKillop Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate a personal commitment to improving the social fabric of Calgary. In 2001 he was chosen as one of Calgary’s Top “40 under 40” for leadership. 

• Appointed to the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction's Lived Experience Working Group. 

• Board Member Bruce Oake Recovery Centre Winnipeg Manitoba. 

• Board Member Unlimited Worth Society Vancouver British Columbia. 

• Former appointment to the Alberta Government Council on Addiction and Mental Health – 2019. 
   

• Former Board Member Alberta Addiction Service Providers. 

• Former Board Member Recovery Access Alberta. 

• Former Co-Chair Calgary's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness - Services Committee.