Karen Oldfield

Karen OldfieldPresident & CEO, Halifax Port Authority

Karen Oldfield is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Port Authority. She has been instrumental in developing the Port of Halifax as a strategic national asset.  The Port of Halifax annually generates $1.58 billion in economic impact and over 11,000 port-related jobs.

The Port of Halifax is a diverse cargo port handling containerized, bulk, breakbulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo year-round.  The Port connects importers and exporters to 150 countries through 20 shipping lines, offering the deepest container berths on the Eastern Seaboard and quick connections to major inland markets.  Over $350 million has been invested in port-related infrastructure by the private and public sector in the past 5 years.  Currently, the Port  Authority is partnering with the Federal Government  to invest  $130 million in  two key cargo terminals.

Halifax became the first port in Canada to achieve and maintain an investment grade credit rating, starting in 2007.  Halifax was also the first port in Canada to achieve the ISO14001 certification – an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems.  Halifax has become the marquee cruise port in Atlantic Canada with over 260,000 passengers aboard 127 ships calling Halifax this past cruise season which generates $50 million in local economic impact.After graduating from Saint Mary’s and Dalhousie universities, Karen began her professional career in 1985 with the law firm McInnes Cooper, becoming partner a few years later. In 1999, she assumed the role of Chief of Staff for Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm in which Karen was instrumental in ensuring the strategic priorities of the Government of Nova Scotia were carried out.   Karen joined the Halifax Port Authority in 2002 and with her team leads in the development and marketing internationally of the Port’s three lines of business - cargo, cruise and lands under administration.

Nationally, Karen is a member of the Advisory Council on National Security, established in 2005, which provides expert advice about national security issues through the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.   She is also a Member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities, the Public Policy Forum and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.  She serves as the Vice Chair of the Atlantic Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, and a member of the Canadian Board of Directors of IWF.  Locally, Karen sits on the Board of Governors for Saint Mary’s University, the NS Division of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and the Halifax Gateway Council. In recent years, Karen has judged the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards program, has participated on Boards of Directors including the YMCA and QEII Foundation and spoken to groups ranging from the Empire Club of Canada to local student associations.

Karen has been recognized for her professional achievements and her contributions as a volunteer, including:  Canada’s Top 40 Under 40; Community Mentoring Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax; Destination Halifax Ambassador Program Honoree; Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs; and the Canadian Urban Institute’s Brownie Award for the Halifax Seaport Redevelopment Master Plan.