Karen Adams (she/her) will be WCB Nova Scotia’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Saeed El-Darahali, Chair of the WCB’s Board of Directors, made the announcement today. Karen’s first day on the job will be August 14, 2023.

As the WCB begins a new Strategic Plan, in an era of newfound financial sustainability, Mr. El-Darahali says the Board of Directors looks forward to Ms. Adams’ leadership and the opportunities it will bring.

“We’re very pleased to welcome someone of Karen’s calibre and experience to lead our organization into a very bright future,”says Mr. El-Darahali. “Karen is a visionary, respected leader with a proven track record of leading complex organizations through change and renewal. These are exciting times for the system and for the WCB, and we’re thrilled Karen will lead us through them.”

Ms. Adams was selected following an exhaustive national search process that resulted in an exceptional field of candidates.

Ms. Adams was recognized in 2017 as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most  Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network, and was voted by her peers as “CEO of the Year” by Wealth Professional in 2019. She has held leadership positions in organizations around the world, including serving as President and CEO of Fundserv Inc, a financial technology firm serving the investment fund industry across Canada. She led the organization through a major business transformation. She has also served as President and CEO of the Alberta Pensions Services Corporation, and held a number of senior executive positions internationally with HSBC Bank.

“As we welcome Karen and her family to the organization and our province, I also want to thank Shelley Rowan, who has provided expert leadership as Interim CEO over the past eight months,” says Mr. El-Darahali.

“Shelley’s efforts have ensured that Karen begins her tenure at a time when the WCB is on a solid financial footing, ready to embrace new opportunities to keep more working Nova Scotians and their workplaces safe and secure from workplace injury in the years ahead.”

Read or download the full news release.