Kelliann Dean
Kelliann Dean was appointed Deputy Minister of the Department of Finance and Treasury Board in March 2021 and Acting Deputy Minister of the Department of Growth and Development in December 2024.
Biography
Kelliann’s career spans 34 years in public and private sector leadership, strategic planning, business development, communications, board governance and business financing. She has successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships with a visionary leadership style characterized by a passion for building strong teams and partnerships to achieve results.
As the longest serving Deputy Minister in Nova Scotia, she has provided strategic advice to Premiers and Ministers since 2004. Kelliann currently serves as Executive Deputy Minister Finance and Treasury Board, appointed in March 2021, as well as Deputy Minister, Economic Development, appointed in September 2024. In her current role, she is responsible for managing the financial affairs of the province, including: taxation, budget and government accounting; the regulation of financial services, pension and insurance industries and labour relations. She is also responsible for providing oversight for crown corporations including: Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Invest Nova Scotia and Events East.
Her previous roles include: Deputy Minister Intergovernmental Affairs; Deputy Minister Municipal Affairs and Chair of the Municipal Finance Corporation; CEO, Office of Immigration; Deputy Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage, Chair of the Nova Scotia Provincial Lotteries and Casino Corporation and Chair of the Nova Scotia Museum Board of Governors; Public Service Commissioner; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and Board Member, Canadian Tourism Commission.
She also held various senior roles at the Business Development Bank of Canada for 13 years, in Halifax and Montreal, before returning to Nova Scotia in 2001 to join Nova Scotia Business Inc., as Vice President, Business Development.
Kelliann received the CIBC Executive Leaders Award in 2020 which recognizes women leaders who not only exemplify what it means to be a great leader in their organizations and communities, but who inspire confidence, champion equality and break down barriers for the next generation of leaders to come.
Kelliann holds a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Mary’s University and a Bachelor of Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University.
Previous roles
- Deputy Minister, Department of Intergovernmental Affairs
- Deputy Minister, Department of Municipal Affairs
- Deputy Minister, Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage
- Public Service Commissioner, Public Service Commission
- Deputy Minister, Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage