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Public RecordMonthly Update

Nova Scotia Government Leadership Changes

January 2026

A public record of executive appointments, promotions, and new hires across Nova Scotia's provincial government departments.

January 25, 2026146 changes tracked

About This Report

Government transparency matters. When public servants are promoted or new leaders are hired, Nova Scotians deserve to know. This information is technically public but rarely compiled in an accessible format.

This report tracks leadership changes at the manager level and above across all provincial departments for the month of January 2026. We publish monthly to ensure citizens, journalists, and researchers have access to this information.

13

Executive Promotions

23

Director-Level Changes

110

New Hires

28

Departments


Executive Appointments

Deputy Ministers, Senior Executive Directors, and equivalent

Alex Ikejiani

Deputy Minister, Justice and Attorney General

New Hire

Department of Justice

Alicia Arana

Senior Executive Director, Operations

Promotion

Previously: Executive Director, Strategic Policy and Decision Support

Opportunities and Social Development

Norma MacIsaac

Senior Executive Director, Canadian Intergovernmental Relations & Corporate Services

Promotion

Previously: Executive Director, Canadian Intergovernmental Relations & Corporate Services

Intergovernmental Affairs

Angela Paulin

Senior Executive Director, Trade and Economic Policy

Promotion

Previously: Executive Director, Trade and Economic Policy

Intergovernmental Affairs

Kim Matheson

Executive Director, CEAW

New Hire

Education and Early Childhood Development

Derek Harvey

Executive Director, Policy and Budgetary Planning

Promotion

Previously: Director of Policy

Finance and Treasury Board


Director-Level Changes

Directors, Regional Directors, and senior management

Amy MacNeil

Director

Promotion

Previously: Senior Manager

Justice

Jaime Reynolds

Director Investigation and Outreach

Promotion

Previously: Manager of Youth & Seniors Services

Office of the Ombudsman

Susan Vanier

Director, French Second Language

Promotion

Previously: FSL Programs Consultant

Education and Early Childhood Development

Doreen Mackley

Regional Director

Promotion

Previously: A/Regional Director-Eastern Region

Environment and Climate Change

Katelyn Lacey

Director, Financial Accounting

New Hire

Finance and Treasury Board

John Kenney

Director, Strategic & Intergovernmental Relations

Promotion

Previously: Director of Digital Governance

Cyber Security and Digital Solutions

Mandy Grace

Director, People and Culture

Promotion

Previously: Director, Digital Culture and People

Cyber Security and Digital Solutions

William Bowers

Regional Service Delivery Director

Promotion

Previously: Regional Service Delivery Manager

Opportunities and Social Development

Eric Newbould

Director, Absence Management

New Hire

Public Service Commission

Jeanne Thorne

Director of Finance, SLTC

Promotion

Previously: Director of Finance, Capital Infrastructure, DHW & DSLTC

Finance and Treasury Board

Kenzie Kozera

A/Director Investigation & Outreach

Promotion

Previously: A/Manager

Office of the Ombudsman


Manager-Level Changes

Managers, Coordinators, and specialist roles

Renata Mageste da Silva

Manager of Climate Change

Previously: Equity and Engagement Coordinator

Promotion

Environment and Climate Change

Rebecca Abou Rahal

Manager, Information and Dispute Resolution

Previously: Labour Standards Officer 3

Promotion

Labour, Skills and Immigration

Roberta MacAskill

Acting Manager, Infrastructure Leasing & Facilities Planning

Previously: Infrastructure & Facilities Project Lead

Promotion

Public Works

Tracey Devereaux

Manager, Policy and Program

Previously: Director, Restorative Initiatives

Title Change

Justice

Willow Easton

Senior Corporate Strategist

Previously: Manager, Innovation

Promotion

Executive Council

Jason Power

Staff Sergeant

Previously: Deputy Sheriff Supervisor

Promotion

Justice

Tanaysha Sack

Manager - Equity and Inclusion

New Hire

Labour, Skills and Immigration

Jennifer Imhonlele

Manager, Service Provider Funding

New Hire

Education and Early Childhood Development

Paul Angelopoulos

Manager of Information Management, Health & Safety

New Hire

Service Nova Scotia

Timothy Locke

Area Manager

New Hire

Natural Resources

Michelle Ritchie

Supervisor, Office Services

New Hire

Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal


Notable New Hires

Senior specialists, analysts, and key operational roles

NamePositionDepartment
Kasey ConnelySenior Advisor, Research & AnalyticsExecutive Council
Gillian DesRocheSenior Consultation AdvisorL'nu Affairs
Mark WicksonSenior Policy AnalystAgriculture
Kaitlynne LoweSenior Policy AnalystJustice
Mac SadoSenior Business AnalystCyber Security and Digital Solutions
Peter LameyLegal AnalystNS Securities Commission
Stanley EgentiOHS Inspector Specialist 3Labour, Skills and Immigration
William RichardsDistrict EngineerEnvironment and Climate Change
Patrick Henick911 IT SpecialistEmergency Management
Kirkland R. WhiteTechnical AnalystCyber Security and Digital Solutions
Fola OnafuwaCoordinator, Policy, Planning and ProcessesHealth and Wellness
Kristina BookallArchitectPublic Works

Changes by Department

Opportunities and Social Development

19

new hires and promotions

Public Works

17

new hires and promotions

Justice

14

new hires and promotions

Service Nova Scotia

12

new hires and promotions

Office of the Ombudsman

11

new hires and promotions

Labour, Skills and Immigration

7

new hires and promotions

Cyber Security and Digital Solutions

6

new hires and promotions

Finance and Treasury Board

5

new hires and promotions


SS

ScotiaSignal Research publishes monthly reports on Nova Scotia public sector leadership changes as a public service. We believe transparency in government leads to better accountability.