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The Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario is pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine (Kat) Orr as its new Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.

“We were impressed by Kat’s leadership, dedication, and vision for the future of the Association,” said Board Chair Alex Kidd. “Over the past year, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to improve operational effectiveness, foster strong relationships with stakeholders, and ensure that our organization continues to deliver exceptional service to members. We are confident she will provide strong and innovative leadership as Executive Director and CEO.”

Kat joined the Association in September 2025 as Interim Director of Operations and quickly distinguished herself through her commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Following the departure of the previous Executive Director in April, she stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director while continuing to fulfill her operational responsibilities, ensuring stability for the organization and a seamless experience for members.

Following an extensive search process that attracted 74 applicants, involved 148 blind application reviews, and included two rounds of interviews with an exceptionally strong field of candidates, Kat emerged as the successful candidate from a highly competitive pool. Throughout the process, she impressed the Board not only with her proven performance in the interim role, but also with her clear strategic vision, understanding of the evolving massage therapy profession, and commitment to advancing the Association’s role within Ontario’s health care system.

“I am honoured to have been selected by the Board for this role,” said Orr. “I look forward to working closely with our staff, Board, members, and stakeholders as we continue to strengthen the profession, enhance member services, and position the Association for long-term success.”

During her time with the Association, Kat has developed strong relationships with key stakeholders and has already had the opportunity to connect directly with members through RMTAO town halls and other engagement initiatives.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Kat for her exceptional leadership during this transition period,” added Kidd. “We are excited to see her continue building on that work as Executive Director and CEO, and we look forward to the next chapter for the Association under her leadership.”