CRAIG DALTON
Moncton,Canada
Summary
Strategic, systems-minded executive leader with over three decades of experience guiding large, complex public-sector organizations through transformation, operational integration, and performance improvement. Proven track record leading multi-unit, multi-site portfolios of up to 2,300 staff and $1.2B in programs, with deep expertise in strategic planning, enterprise performance frameworks, KPI development, and cross-functional execution. Adept at translating executive vision into actionable plans, aligning senior leadership teams, and strengthening governance, decision support, and institutional accountability. Brings extensive experience in HR strategy, talent management, culture development, and labor relations, alongside strong capabilities in communications, stakeholder engagement, and organizational change. Recognized for fostering collaborative, high-performing environments that deliver service excellence, operational cohesion, and measurable results across diverse and evolving institutional contexts.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
EM/ANB
Moncton, New Brunswick
08.2023 - Current
- Lead a 2,300-member Government Crown Corporation with a $400M operating budget responsible for the delivery of province-wide air and ground ambulance services (Ambulance New Brunswick), primary care services (New Brunswick Health Link), and community home care services (Extra-Mural Health Program).
- Serve on the provincial health system executive steering group alongside partner CEOs and Deputy Ministers to drive health system transformation.
- Initiated a review of the provincial ambulance service and supported a multi-year optimization plan to stabilize and evolve pre-hospital emergency services.
- Established KPIs to measure organizational performance; led cross-functional operational innovations and strategic partnerships.
- Introduced an integrated business planning and performance framework.
- Led development of an integrated community care center of excellence to drive collaborative program design across all program areas.
- Implemented a positive workplace initiative focused on culture, leader development, and employee engagement.
- Introduced a province-wide primary care network to address access challenges.
- Implemented integrated electronic patient records and digital case management tools across ambulance, primary care, and community care programs.
Chief Administrative Officer
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Squamish-Pemberton, British Columbia
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Led a regional district government staff in support of municipal and rural elected representatives with responsibility for public safety, emergency management, community resiliency, transportation, infrastructure, parks, waste, and environmental services.
- Facilitated development of the Board's strategic plan and initiated design and implementation of an organizational management framework to support execution of the Board's strategic plan.
- Transformed the emergency response division to address increased operational demand, particularly in wildfire preparedness and geological event response.
- Oversaw emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Leveraged provincial funding to enhance local government emergency planning and preparedness.
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, Alberta
05.2020 - 03.2022
- Led a 2,000-member city administration with a $450M budget, responsible for economic development, land use planning and development, transit, transportation and infrastructure, utilities, parks, recreation, entertainment and tourism, social services and affordable housing police, fire and emergency services.
- Facilitated development and execution of Council's Strategic Plan with a particular focus on COVID response, economic development, land use planning, housing, transit, parks, and infrastructure.
- Strengthened public safety partnerships with provincial and community stakeholders.
- Developed and implemented a 5-year Corporate Strategic Plan focused on performance, people, partnerships, and customer service excellence.
- Coordinated government and community relations to advance priorities with provincial and federal partners.
- Transformed the City Manager's Office into the Office of Organizational Performance and Continuous Improvement.
- Advanced Indigenous reconciliation initiatives through action-oriented plans responding to the MMIWG report.
Veterans Ombudsman
Government of Canada
Ottawa, Canada
11.2018 - 05.2020
- Served as Canada's Veterans Ombudsman leading a team supporting CAF and RCMP veterans and families.
- Served as Special Advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs.
- Engaged Parliamentarians and Senate committees to advance fairness for veterans.
- Collaborated with national and regional veterans' stakeholders to identify concerns and opportunities.
- Established a five-year strategic plan with a focus on underserved communities, including women and Indigenous veterans.
Deputy Minister, Department of Family and Human Services
Government of Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, Canada
05.2017 - 11.2018
- Led a 400-member provincial organization with a $128M budget delivering social services across PEI.
- Developed a collaborative provincial housing action plan with industry and non-profit partners.
- Co-chaired the government's social policy hub integrating social policy and program design.
- Led development of PEI's first poverty reduction action plan.
- Served as National Co-chair of the FPT Seniors' Forum.
- Transformed the Disability Support Program to include individuals with mental health diagnoses.
- Strengthened partnerships with First Nations communities in family supports and social services.
Deputy Minister, Department of Social Development
Government of New Brunswick
Fredericton, Canada
09.2015 - 05.2017
- Led a 2,000-member provincial organization with a $1.2B budget delivering social programs.
- Developed a 10-year aging strategy with cross-sector partners.
- Initiated a 10-year homelessness and housing strategy with federal and provincial stakeholders.
- Represented NB nationally on housing, social services, and seniors' issues.
- Led the Families Priority Delivery Unit implementing deliverology-based execution across departments.
- Partnered with First Nations communities to strengthen social supports.
- Enhanced stakeholder and community engagement across sectors.
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
Government of New Brunswick
Fredericton, Canada
04.2014 - 09.2015
- Led a 1,200-member public safety organization with a $180M budget.
- Provided strategic leadership during major public safety events including Post-Tropical Storm Arthur and the Moncton RCMP shootings.
- Developed a provincial resiliency strategy with municipal partners and over 100 cross-sector agencies.
- Established a provincial critical infrastructure table for coordinated risk management with key private sector critical infrastructure owner/operators.
- Strengthened provincial public safety coordination with CSIS, RCMP, DND, CBSA, and federal partners.
- Modernized governmental security practices across departments.
- Built strong relationships across public safety organizations within the province and at all levels of government.
Education
PhD Candidate - Leadership & Organizational Design
Anderson University
01.2026
Master of Arts - Policy
Deakin University
01.2011
Master of Arts - Strategy
USACGSC
01.2006
Master of Science - Leadership
Central Michigan University
01.2005
Bachelor of Arts -
Royal Military College of Canada
01.2000
Skills
- Strategic planning
- Organizational design
- Performance measurement
- Program development
- Collaborative leadership
- Policy analysis
- Business planning
- Financial oversight
- Human resources management
- Risk management
- Risk assessments
- Policy development and optimization
- Administrative leadership
- Strategic partnerships
- Board governance
- Staff management
- Executive leadership
- Corporate leadership
- Business management
- Data-driven decision making
- Operational efficiency
- Relationship management
- Productivity performance
- Business administration
Board And Community Experience
- Panel Member, NB Department of Justice & Public Safety Expert Panel on Security, 01/01/25, 12/31/26
- Board Director, Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families, 01/01/22, Present
- Board Director, Service New Brunswick, 01/01/15, 12/31/17
- President, Oromocto Minor Hockey Association, 01/01/14, 12/31/15
- United Way Campaign Chair, Government of New Brunswick, 01/01/15, 12/31/16
- Board Member, Royal Military College of Canada Board of Governors, 01/01/12, 12/31/12
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
EM/ANB
08.2023 - Current
Chief Administrative Officer
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
03.2022 - 08.2023
Chief Administrative Officer
City of Lethbridge
05.2020 - 03.2022
Veterans Ombudsman
Government of Canada
11.2018 - 05.2020
Deputy Minister, Department of Family and Human Services
Government of Prince Edward Island
05.2017 - 11.2018
Deputy Minister, Department of Social Development
Government of New Brunswick
09.2015 - 05.2017
Deputy Minister, Department of Public Safety
Government of New Brunswick
04.2014 - 09.2015
PhD Candidate - Leadership & Organizational Design
Anderson University
Master of Arts - Policy
Deakin University
Master of Arts - Strategy
USACGSC
Master of Science - Leadership
Central Michigan University
Bachelor of Arts -
Royal Military College of Canada