Angela Johnson, director, Health Equity, Safety and Wellness, is leading IWK Health’s newest portfolio. This brings together three distinct areas: Equity and Belonging, Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness, and Respectful Workplace, under one unified strategy.
With a career spanning 40 years, Angela has worked across all three areas, with a dedicated focus on equity and belonging, an interest that sparked early in her life. From her very first job at 15, she recognized the importance of creating supportive workplaces for marginalized women and girls—an awareness that has shaped her work ever since. Having built strategies and policies from the ground up before, she is eager to apply those experiences to co-create this new portfolio alongside her team.
Before joining IWK, Angela spent 21 years with the Nova Scotia government and played a key role in major policy and strategy initiatives, including co-founding the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs. As a journalist, she focused on amplifying the voices of equity-deserving communities, further strengthening her commitment to advocacy. Holding a master’s degree in women’s leadership and community development, she sees her work as more than just a profession—it’s a calling.
Angela envisions a workplace where Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Reconciliation and Accessibility (EDIRA) are reflected at every level, from hiring panels to leadership and governance. Early in her career, working in Toronto strengthened her belief in the power of representation. In diverse spaces, inclusion can unfold naturally, enabling organizations to develop programs and support systems needed to sustain it.
As a certified change practitioner, Angela understands that systemic change requires more than just passion. It requires structure, policy and long-term commitment. Too often, this work is tied to a single person, losing momentum when they leave their role. Her goal is to ensure lasting impact by embedding policies and resources that endure beyond any one individual’s tenure. She also emphasizes the role of self-reflection, encouraging others to ask: How am I showing up as an ally in my day-to-day work?
With a steadfast commitment to fostering a healthier, more inclusive workplace, Angela Johnson is dedicated to driving meaningful, sustainable change that will shape the future of IWK Health.