KBRS is pleased to have assisted in the appointment of Ava Czapalay as Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU). The following is an excerpt from their recent announcement.
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Halifax, NS – We are pleased to announce the appointment of Ava Czapalay as Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).
In this role, Ava will lead the strategic direction of AAU and the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP), providing policy leadership, strengthening advocacy efforts, and supporting collaboration among Atlantic Canada’s universities. She will guide the organization’s strategic priorities, ensure effective governance and operations, and work closely with university leaders, government partners and national bodies to advance the contributions of higher education across the region.
Ava brings a distinguished career spanning senior leadership roles in postsecondary education, government and public policy. She has served as Deputy Minister in multiple portfolios, including Labour, Skills and Immigration and the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration and Population Growth. Her leadership has shaped system-level initiatives related to immigration, population growth, student access, apprenticeship modernization, sector sustainability and digital transformation in public service delivery. Her decades-long engagement across Atlantic Canada’s higher education institutions has established her as a trusted, empathetic and highly effective systems leader.
Ava’s accomplishments include leading major provincial reviews, chairing regional and federal-provincial-territorial committees, guiding the Atlantic Immigration Partnership from pilot to permanent program, and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across the public sector. As founding President and CEO of EduNova, she helped establish Canada’s first collaborative international education marketing cooperative, significantly increasing international enrolment in Nova Scotia and securing more than $50 million in international contracts. Her leadership in communications, policy development, and partnership building has earned both national and international recognition.
“In Ava, we have found a deeply experienced and values‑driven leader who understands the opportunities and the complexities of higher education in Atlantic Canada. Her decades of work with universities, policymakers, and community partners make her uniquely well-positioned to advance the collective priorities of AAU and CONSUP,” said Dr. Andrew Hakin, Vice-Chair of AAU and Chair of the search committee. “We are confident in the future of the Association under her thoughtful leadership and grateful for her strong, credible voice at a pivotal time for the sector.”
Ava holds a Master of Education in Educational Psychology, a Bachelor of Education, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English from Dalhousie University and a Master’s Certificate in Workplace Innovation from Royal Roads University. She has completed significant leadership training, including the Inclusive Leadership Program and the Executive Leadership Development Program through the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission. She is also a Certified International Trade Professional and has extensive experience representing Canada in international education forums, including at the OECD.
“I am honoured to serve the universities of Atlantic Canada as CEO of AAU. Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the profound impact our universities have on students, communities and the region’s economic and social well‑being,” said Ava upon her appointment. “I look forward to working collaboratively with presidents and partners across the region to champion higher education and strengthen our collective voice.”
AAU would like to extend its gratitude to the search committee for their thoughtful work alongside KBRS Executive Search during this important search process.
