Roshanak Sadeghi-Zadeh

Roshanak Sadeghi-Zadeh (she/her), CPHR, SHRM-SCP, is an HR professional with over two decades of progressive experience in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. She has recently joined Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA) as VP, People, Culture, and Belonging. Previously she served as the Director of People and Belonging at Izaak Walton Killam Health (IWK Health). In this role, she oversaw all HR functions, including HR system management and technology modernization, workforce planning, recruitment and retention, HR and labour relations, learning and development, total compensation, volunteer resources, and the centralized staffing office.

Prior to her tenure at IWK, she served as the Manager of Human Resources at Halifax Public Libraries, where she spearheaded numerous initiatives focused on creating a positive employee experience through automation and modernization with an equity lens. Before that, she made significant contributions at the Nova Scotia Provincial Housing Agency in Halifax and Bombardier Transportation in Toronto, specializing in equity, diversity, and inclusion; adult education; leadership development; change management; and occupational health roles in highly unionized environments.

Roshanak’s academic background includes a Master of Science in Physics, and she began her career as a high school science teacher. She immigrated to Canada from Iran in the early 2000s, settling in Toronto, where she pursued post-graduate studies in Human Resources Management, Adult Education, Lean Six Sigma, and Change Management. Although Toronto holds a special place in her heart, she quickly embraced Nova Scotia as home, appreciating the beautiful and peaceful nature of the Maritimes.

Her professional approach centers on intersectionality and strives to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates the full spectrum of diversity. Her mission is to contribute to transforming Nova Scotia into a welcoming and inclusive province—one organization at a time. Her areas of expertise lie in applying an equity and diversity lens to HR and administrative policies, procedures, practices, systems, and programs to create organizations where everyone feels belonged. She is also exploring her newfound interest in artificial intelligence and its various applications through an equity and diversity lens.

Beyond her professional role, Roshanak finds joy in volunteering within her community. She serves as the Chair of the Board at Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Nova Scotia (CPHR Nova Scotia), is a past Board Director at CPHR Canada and Phoenix Youth Programs, and mentors through the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), Pier 21, and Black Girls Guide. These roles reflect her deep commitment to making a positive impact in her community. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, reading, golfing, and trying new recipes.