Karen Oldfield
Karen Oldfield BA’82, Q.C., ICD.D, was named President and CEO of Nova Scotia Health (NSH) on September 1, 2021. This appointment was made by Premier Tim Houston with a mandate to take immediate action to improve health care in Nova Scotia. While seconded to Nova Scotia Health, Karen has also been appointed Deputy Minister of Priorities and Planning for the Government of Nova Scotia, a role fundamental to the long-term strategic priorities of the province.
Previously, Karen served 18 successful years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Port Authority. During her tenure at the Port Authority, revenues more than tripled, enabling the organization to make significant financial investments in strategic port and transportation infrastructure to improve port competitiveness and the livability of Halifax. Karen has global experience, particularly in trade development and the establishment of new markets, combined with deep expertise in supply chain management and logistics. Karen operates and achieves results in complex, multidisciplinary/stakeholder environments, particularly at the nexus of government and the private sector.
Karen continues to advise companies committed to growth, especially in Atlantic Canada. Companies such as Warehouse Transport Group, a growing transportation and logistics firm with offices in Cambridge, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Vigilant Atlantic, a team of experts providing cost estimates, rapid cost monitoring and overall project delivery throughout Atlantic Canada and beyond, and Scotiaport, a 1600+ acre transportation and logistics park in planning for Truro, Nova Scotia.
Karen is the Past Chair of the Board of Governors of Saint Mary's University. She has served as President of the Canadian Chapter of the International Women's Forum, a global organization of female leaders with a stated mission to develop female executive and board talent further. Karen serves as Lead Director of Acadian Timber (ADN.TO), is Chair of the Nomination, Governance and Executive Compensation Committee and member of the Audit Committee.
Karen lives in Halifax with her husband Darren and their COVID-puppy Charli!