Jennifer Sheils, CHE, Vice President of Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer at Horizon Health Network, has built her career at the intersection of technology and healthcare. After more than two decades in the information and communications technology sector, including 11 years supporting digital transformation in health systems across Canada, Jennifer transitioned into the public system in 2017. She first joined Horizon Health Network as Chief Information Officer, and as her leadership influence grew, she progressed into her current role as Vice President of Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer. This career evolution reflects her expanding scope and the development of her leadership competencies within the healthcare sector.
In her current role, Jennifer provides executive oversight of IT systems, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence while also guiding the organization’s broader innovation agenda. She is deeply focused on building an integrated health ecosystem that embraces industry partnerships and supports clinical teams in modernizing service delivery. For Jennifer, innovation is not simply about technology but about enabling people and processes to evolve together for sustainable impact.
Beyond digital modernization, Jennifer has played a central role in cultivating a thriving innovation ecosystem at Horizon. Her leadership has strengthened collaborations with industry partners and national innovation networks, positioning Horizon as a leader in co-developing and scaling solutions that improve care. This work was nationally recognized in October 2025 when Horizon Health Network was named the CAN Health Network Edge of the Year. The award highlights the impact of Jennifer’s strategic vision and the organization’s growing influence in Canada’s health innovation landscape.
Her leadership was especially tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer reflects on this time as one of her proudest accomplishments, when Horizon Health Network harnessed innovation and data to support a rapid and effective response. Under her leadership, teams developed real-time dashboards, automated analytics, and predictive tools that gave operational and clinical leaders the ability to act with speed and precision. These innovations not only supported pandemic response but also demonstrated that large health systems can be agile when guided by strong leadership and a culture of collaboration.
Jennifer’s passion for healthcare has been a constant theme in her journey. Although her early career began in technology, she always envisioned herself working in health. Moving to Horizon Health gave her the opportunity to align her professional skills with her original calling, and she has since embraced her role as a leader in building a more resilient and sustainable system.
“Over time, I found myself becoming more aligned with my healthcare clients than with my own organization. That shift prompted deep reflection about how I wanted to spend the remainder of my career.”
Jennifer describes the moment of realization that reshaped her career path
Her involvement in the Canadian College of Health Leaders extends to both national and local levels. Jennifer serves on the CCHL National Board of Directors, contributes to ResearchNB, CAN Health, and Digital Health Canada, and remains active in community leadership through her role on the Anglophone South District Education Council. She describes the College as a uniquely collaborative space where leaders across roles and geographies come together to exchange knowledge, mentor the next generation, and collectively shape the future of healthcare.
Reflecting on her years of involvement, Jennifer highlights the strength of her local chapter and the energy it brings to the leadership community. She values the opportunity to collaborate with peers across acute care, community, public health, and academia, and to foster connections that fuel momentum for change. Her advice to aspiring leaders is to begin with self-awareness and purpose. She encourages new members to use the College’s resources, embrace mentorship, and take stretch opportunities that build confidence over time. For Jennifer, leadership is an ongoing journey, one that demands curiosity, resilience, and the willingness to grow.
Jennifer was selected by the New Brunswick Chapter as the recipient of the 2025 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of her contributions. She describes her local chapter as one of the most vibrant and collaborative professional communities in the region, where leaders across sectors come together with a shared sense of purpose to transform care. Jennifer highlights the strong relationships with academic and learning partners as a foundation for developing the next generation of healthcare champions.
