Karen Oldfield
Interim President and CEO, Nova Scotia Health Authority
Karen Oldfield is the interim President and CEO of Nova Scotia Health, appointed by Premier Tim Houston in an effort to take immediate action to improve health care in Nova Scotia.
During her more than 18 years of tenure at the Halifax Port Authority as President and CEO, 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 the City of Halifax. She has global experience, particularly in trade development and the establishment of new markets together with deep expertise in supply chain management and logistics. Karen operates and achieves results in complex, multiparty/stakeholder environments, particularly at the nexus of levels of government interacting with the private sector.

Organizational future-proofing and recruiting and developing talent are Karen’s passions. Her inquisitive nature and ability to “see around corners” has enabled her to spot themes and trends to keep organizations at the forefront of change.

Karen is 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 comprised of female leaders with a stated mission to further develop female executive and board talent. She serves as Lead Director of Acadian Timber (ADN.TO), where Karen is Chair of Nomination and Governance and Executive Compensation as well as a member of the Audit Committee.

Karen has a supportive family who allow her to go and “get things done.