Senior Advisor

Christopher Gillis is a senior executive and advisor with more than 20 years of leadership experience across healthcare, government, private-sector and not-for-profit organizations. He has built his career leading complex transformation, developing and implementing public policy, and helping organizations translate ambitious strategies into practical results. A former provincial Deputy Minister and health system executive, Christopher brings a systems perspective to his work and particular expertise in strategy execution, organizational transformation, health human resources, policy and governance, and stakeholder engagement.

Most recently, Christopher served as Chief Transformation & Strategy Officer with Health PEI, where he led a portfolio spanning health system transformation, strategy, digital health, data and analytics, and operational performance. He worked across the provincial health system with clinicians, operational leaders, government and partners to improve access and system performance. His work included the expansion and development of Patient Medical Homes, initiatives to improve surgical and diagnostic wait times and patient flow, physician recruitment and hiring improvements, and the development of new models of care. He also led the development and implementation of MyHealthPEI, the province's digital front door for health information and services.

Prior to joining Health PEI, Christopher served as Deputy Minister of Priorities & Intergovernmental Affairs and Deputy Clerk of Executive Council and Deputy Secretary to Cabinet with the Government of Prince Edward Island. In these roles Christopher advised the Premier and Cabinet and led complex, cross-government priorities spanning healthcare transformation, intergovernmental affairs, Indigenous relations, anti-racism and Francophone affairs. His work included leading provincial negotiations with First Nations, negotiating significant federal-provincial health funding, developing government-wide policy approaches, and leading PEI's first Francophone immigration strategy.

Throughout his career, Christopher has maintained a particular interest in the relationship between people, culture and successful transformation. A Certified Professional in Human Resources, he has led human resources and organizational development in complex and highly diverse environments and has extensive experience in organizational design, workforce strategy, leadership development, employee engagement and change management.

Earlier in his career, Christopher held leadership roles in the private and not-for-profit sectors and served as Executive Director of the Canadian Alliance for Skills and Training in Life Sciences (CASTL), where he led the development of a multi-sector initiative bringing together government, academia and industry to strengthen Canada's biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce. This breadth of experience has given him a strong appreciation for the different organizational, political and human dynamics involved in moving complex initiatives from strategy to implementation. Christopher was also the head of the HR department and project management office for one of Atlantic Canada's largest private healthcare firms specializing in community pharmacies and long-term care.

Christopher holds a Master of Public Administration from Queen's University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is a Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Certified Leader in Organizational Transformation (PMI). He currently advises organizations on strategy, transformation, government relations and organizational performance and serves on the Board of Directors of Fall for Dance North Festival in Toronto.