Horizon President and CEO Margaret Melanson named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs for 2025

(HORIZON) – Horizon is proud to announce that Margaret Melanson, its President and CEO, has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top 50 CEOs for her pioneering work in people-centred care. 

Last night, Melanson was recognized alongside 49 other inspiring leaders at the Atlantic Business Magazine’s 2025 Awards Gala at the Halifax Convention Centre. She is one of 16 distinguished New Brunswick leaders who received the honour and will be profiled in the publication’s May/June print issue.   

With a health care career spanning more than 40 years, first as a clinician in several senior administrative positions, Melanson now oversees Horizon’s 12 hospitals, and more than 100 medical facilities, clinics and offices with a deep understanding of the frontline worker experience. Prior to her current role, she also held the vice president positions in Quality and Patient Safety and Clinical Operations.  

With more than 14,000 employees and 1,100 physicians, Melanson leads the most employees of all 2025 award winners. By comparison, the second largest number of employees for a 2025 award winner is 3,215.  

“This honour, to be recognized among such an outstanding selection of leaders, belongs as much to Horizon’s committed and innovative team as it does to me, and I am as grateful to be counted among that workforce as I am to be counted among these esteemed leaders,” said Melanson. “You are only as good as your team.” 

When she first took the reins as interim President and CEO in 2022, a highly critical time due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Melanson swiftly formulated and activated a plan of critical action, focusing on access to services, recruitment and retention, patient flow, and patient experience to revitalize Horizon’s delivery of health care in our province.  

“As the leader of the largest health authority in New Brunswick, my top priority is ensuring the highest standard of care for all New Brunswickers,” said Melanson. 

Under Melanson’s leadership, Horizon: 

• Significantly reduced surgical waitlists by 2,500 cases in six months. 
• Formed partnerships with pharmaceutical and tech companies to offer patients and caregivers access to innovative medicines and digital care plans. 
• Strengthened global talent acquisition and retention, including over 30 new retention initiatives. 
• Introduced online booking options across all Horizon hospitals for bloodwork, specimen collection X-rays and select primary care appointments, reducing missed appointments, shortening wait lists, and improving access to essential services. 

“In a rapidly evolving health care environment, Margaret sees change not as a threat, but as an opportunity for improvement,” said Jennifer Sheils, Vice President Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer. “She has demonstrated the ability to lead through transformation with a focus on innovation and progress.” 

During Melanson’s time as CEO, Horizon has launched 30 new employee retention initiatives, leading to the health authority’s designation as one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers of 2024 and 2025. 

“Margaret prioritizes creating a positive and supportive work environment while placing exceptional people, patient, and family care at the core of the organization’s mission,” added Gail Lebel, Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer. “She believes that patient satisfaction begins with a satisfied and well-supported workforce, which in turn leads to better patient outcomes.”