KBRS is pleased to have assisted in the appointments of Leanne Dixon, CPHR, as Vice President, Talent and Communications, and Heidi Schedler, KC, as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Halifax Port Authority. The following is an excerpt from their recent announcement.
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June 16, 2025
The Halifax Port Authority is pleased to announce that two new leaders are joining the Executive team. After a national search, Leanne Dixon, CPHR, joins as Vice President, Talent and Communications and Heidi Schedler, KC, joins as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
“As we look to the future, we’re welcoming to our organization two new, outstanding Executive leaders with a breadth of skills and experience,” said Fulvio Fracassi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Halifax Port Authority. “They understand the importance and potential of the Port of Halifax, and have careers that highlight their dedication to ensuring excellence and organizational success. We look forward to their contributions and new perspectives as we plan for the future of the Port.”
As Vice President, Talent and Communications, Leanne Dixon brings to the Port an extensive people-focused career from senior roles with the New Brunswick government, Emera, the IWK Health Centre and most recently, Nova Scotia Power. As a leader of human resources and strategic communications, Leanne brings expertise in employee and labour relations, occupational health and wellness, safety, recruitment, change management and organizational development. She currently serves as a Board member for the Prep Academy, an organization dedicated to preparing African Nova Scotian high school students for further education. She will lead efforts in employee engagement, leadership development, recruitment and retention, and corporate communications, supporting HPA’s mission to be a vital trade gateway and hub of national significance for cargo and cruise.
“I am thrilled to join the Halifax Port Authority as Vice President, Talent and Communications,” she said. “The Port plays a vital role in driving economic growth, facilitating global trade, and strengthening our region’s connectivity. I look forward to supporting HPA’s strategic vision by fostering a dynamic workplace culture, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and ensuring our communications reflect the innovation and leadership that define Halifax as an essential gateway and hub on the East Coast.”
To the General Counsel role, Heidi Schedler brings experience intersecting the public and private sectors, including as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Halifax Water. She also worked with the N.S. Department of Justice, N.S. Securities Commission and in private practice. As National Past President of the Canadian Bar Association’s In-House Lawyers Association, she brings to the Port her dedication to continuous improvement of the legal profession.
“It is a special opportunity to join the organization I have been watching operate from office windows my entire career,” she said. “The Port is a unique and critical asset for Halifax, Nova Scotia and all of Canada and I am excited for the opportunity to work with our stakeholders to ensure a thriving and productive Port from which we can all benefit.”
The Board of Directors and staff of the Halifax Port Authority look forward to welcoming Leanne and Heidi to the Port. Leanne officially joins the Port on June 23, and Heidi joins on July 2.
About the Port of Halifax:
The Port of Halifax is a vital, international gateway connecting to more than 150 countries around the world. Offering a natural, deep harbour and big ship infrastructure, Halifax can meet the needs of today’s shipping, cargo, and cruise operations, while building for the future with our focus on the three key sustainability pillars of community, economics, and environment. As a transparent and trusted partner, we facilitate the movement of goods and people. To learn more about the Port of Halifax, visit www.porthalifax.ca.
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Lori MacLean
Halifax Port Authority
(902) 209-7170
lmaclean@porthalifax.ca
