Featured Member: Collectively Tangled

April is Stress Awareness Month—a time dedicated to recognizing the impact of stress on our health, work and relationships. For entrepreneurs, that stress is often magnified. In fact, one in two entrepreneurs report that mental health concerns impact their ability to work. That powerful statistic lies at the heart of Collectively Tangled’s mission.

Founded in Calgary by Sarah Mateshaytis and Keara Gillis, with Jenn MacDonald joining as a Partner, Collectively Tangled is a mental health organization built specifically for entrepreneurs. Their goal is to make therapy not only accessible but essential for the people building and leading businesses.

The organization helps entrepreneurs prioritize their mental well-being, ultimately fostering healthier businesses and strong leaders.

From one call to a movement

The idea for Collectively Tangled began with a single call. An organization reached out looking for expert support for an entrepreneur and their coach, who were navigating a particularly difficult situation. After guiding them through it and helping create a mental health policy, Sarah and her team began to dig into the research. What they found made it clear: entrepreneurs weren’t just stressed—they were underserved.

“We started to research mental health statistics among entrepreneurs,” Sarah shares. “Today, we’ve supported hundreds of entrepreneurs through therapy.”

The journey from that first call to a structured program has been intentional. What began as support for individuals has expanded to broader ecosystem change. Collectively Tangled now partners with organizations like Innovate Calgary and the City of Calgary to integrate therapy and mental health resources directly into business hubs and innovation communities.

By embedding mental health into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, they’re not just supporting successful founders – they’re building sustainable ones.

Therapy that speaks entrepreneur

What makes Collectively Tangled stand out is its unique understanding of who it serves. Entrepreneurs aren’t just any clients – they are high-pressure decision-makers, visionaries and risk-takers. That reality brings a specific type of stress, something co-founders like Sarah Mateshaytis understand firsthand.

“Collectively Tangled makes mental health support accessible and a business priority for entrepreneurs, who experience mental health challenges at a higher rate than the general population. It’s time we start viewing therapy as the tool for growth that it truly is.”

To meet this need, the organization offers one-on-one therapy tailored to entrepreneurs, as well as a truly innovative service:, co-founder counselling. This specialized form of therapy is designed to help business partners navigate conflict, improve communication and align on goals. This support not only fosters harmony but also helps protect the foundation of the business by addressing challenges early and strengthening the co-founder relationship.

“By addressing both personal and professional challenges, one-on-one therapy and co-founder counselling can enhance an entrepreneur’s well-being and prevent issues from escalating,” says Jenn MacDonald.

As registered social workers and entrepreneurs themselves, Sarah and Jenn bring a powerful combination of empathy, strategy and lived experience to their work – meeting founders where they are and helping them move forward with clarity and confidence.

Scaling with community at the core

The next chapter for Collectively Tangled is all about growth – without losing the human-centred approach that defines their work. Sarah and Jenn envision expanding into a leading digital mental health platform, offering virtual therapy to entrepreneurs across Canada.

This includes expanding both individual counselling and co-founder therapy, while also equipping the wider startup ecosystem, including coaches, mentors and support staff, with the tools to recognize when someone needs help and how to respond.

“Reducing stigma starts with trusted voices,” Sarah says. “Entrepreneurs are more likely to seek mental health support when referred by someone they already turn to for guidance.”

Community is at the heart of that vision. As proud members of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Collectively Tangled is not only delivering therapy – they’re helping normalize it within the business landscape.

“We feel values aligned with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce,” Sarah explains, “especially after the launch of the Cenovus Energy mental health Pillar Partnership, a three-year endeavor focused on promoting mental wellness and encouraging leaders and employees alike to prioritize their own well-being, and the well-being of those around them.”

Through their involvement in the Chamber community, Sarah, Jenn and the Collectively Tangled team are creating space for open dialogue, reducing stigma and making mental health support more accessible to entrepreneurs across Calgary and beyond.

To learn more about Collectively Tangled, visit: www.collectivelytangled.com.

Cenovus: Our Mental Health Pillar Partner

In an effort to continue reducing stigma and empowering strength, Cenovus Energy has become the Calgary Chamber's Mental Health Pillar Partner. This transformational three-year partnership will promote mental health awareness, resources and education across all sectors and business sizes. It will also encourage employers, leaders and employees to maintain an ongoing focus on their own well-being and the well-being of those around them.