After a national search, Health Workforce Canada’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Chilton as Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2025.
Sean joins Health Workforce Canada as a seasoned health executive with over three decades of progressive leadership across one of Canada’s largest and most complex health systems. Currently Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations with Alberta Health Services, Sean is known for driving transformational change, building high-performing teams, and delivering strategic results in dynamic, high-pressure environments.
Sean is a Registered Nurse, graduating from the Royal Oldham School of Nursing in Oldham, England. He is a lifelong learner who recently completed a Fellowship in Health System Improvement with the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta.
“I am delighted to be joining Health Workforce Canada and truly appreciate the opportunity to continue to advance the impact of this unique organization made up of such an accomplished group of individuals,” said Sean Chilton, incoming CEO of Health Workforce Canada.
Sean is recognized for forging strong partnerships with government, Indigenous communities, unions, and academic institutions, while championing patient-centered care, technology and workforce innovation. He led the development of the Alberta-wide Health Workforce Strategy to support recruitment, retention and optimization that aligns well with Health Workforce Canada’s strategic plan, built on the pillars of convening networks, advancing data, catalyzing modelling and forecasting, and sharing what works.
“Sean’s appointment comes at an exciting time for Health Workforce Canada as we advance our strategic plan aiming to work with our partners in transforming how people plan for, support, and maximize the skills of the health workforce to meet care needs,” said Glenda Yeates, Chair of Health Workforce Canada’s Board of Directors. “Sean is a visionary leader with a proven depth of expertise in clinical operations, digital health, workforce strategy, and system-wide reform.”
The Board also extends its heartfelt thanks to Deb Gordon, the organization’s interim CEO, for her tremendous leadership over the past two years. Deb has led Health Workforce Canada from its inception and has put the organization on a strong footing for the important work ahead. We wish Deb well in her retirement.
Please join us in welcoming Sean Chilton to the Health Workforce Canada team!