Ava Czapalay was appointed Deputy Minister and Chief Executive Officer of Labour, Skills and Immigration following a six-month term as Deputy Minister and CEO of Immigration and Population Growth. The newly created Department includes the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, Skills and Learning, Labour Services, Skills and Learning, Safety, and the Workers Compensation Board.
Prior to these appointments, Ms. Czapalay was the Associate Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and, from 2012-2019, the Senior Executive Director of the Higher Education Branch at Labour and Advanced Education.
From 2005-2012, Ms. Czapalay served as founding President and CEO of EduNova, a cooperative organization focused on the global marketing and promotion of Nova Scotia’s
education and training sector. During this period, Ms. Czapalay established a licensed office, EduNova Gulf, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to founding EduNova, Ms. Czapalay was employed by the Province as an Acting Executive Director and as a Corporate Strategist in the Departments of Education and Economic Development. In 2002, Ms. Czapalay worked for the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on a one-year Interchange. Prior to joining the Nova Scotia Government in 1997, Ms. Czapalay was the Assistant Registrar at Dalhousie University.
Ms. Czapalay currently sits on the Board of Research Nova Scotia and is the Chair of the International Women’s Forum - Atlantic Chapter. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English, a Bachelor of Education, and a
Master of Education degree – all from Dalhousie University. In June 2020, Ms. Czapalay completed the Graduate
Certificate in Workplace Innovation (Royal Roads University). In June 2021, Ms. Czapalay completed the 13-week Inclusive Leadership Program through LAE. Ms. Czapalay is currently enrolled in Université Sainte-Anne’s French language program.
Ava has three adult children – all currently in university – and three adult stepchildren. She and her husband reside in Chester, Nova Scotia.
Ava.czapalay@novascotia.ca
Phone: 902-476-5317
