Zaina Sovani Email and Phone Number
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Zaina Sovani personal email
Zaina is a digital strategist and transformational leader with a demonstrated history of working in Government, Private Sector and Management Consulting. She is a subject matter expert in the Immigration and Border Security Domain, Transformation, Digital Strategy & Execution, Program and Project Management, Risk and Audit Analysis, Governance and Organizational Development. She is a strong professional with expertise in Leading Change and Organizational Renewal focused on Leadership. Zaina Sovani held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Transformation, Digital Strategy and Chief Information Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) where she was responsible for leading the department through a major transformational change program focused on improving client experience, operations excellence, digital services delivery and encouraging a new culture of innovation and agility. Zaina also held the position of Chief Information Officer, leading IM/IT strategy and service delivery functions and technologically enabling the business. Her previous role in IRCC was ADM, Corporate Services Sector where she held responsibility for HR, Accommodations, IM/IT, Corporate Governance and ATIP.Over the past 20 years, Zaina has held many executive roles both in the public service and private sector, gaining the reputation of a builder and transformational leader. Past roles include executive positions at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Shared Services Canada (SSC) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation. Zaina holds a Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, Certification from University of Berkeley in Digital Transformation: Leading People, Data & Technology and Certification from Harvard Business School in Driving Digital Strategy.Zaina is actively engaged in the community and has served on a number of for-profit and not-for-profit Boards, including the Ismaili Council for Canada, Hydro Ottawa, United Way of Ottawa and as a Community Member to the Board of Governors with The Ottawa Hospital. She was named United Way’s Focus Area Champion, awarded a medal for her role as agent of change by the Mayor of Ottawa and she was among 40 nominees for Amazing Person of the Year Award. Zaina is a sought after speaker on topics related to Business Transformation, Driving Digital, Change and People Leadership. Zaina is passionate about mentoring women into leadership roles. Bilingual in both official languages (English and French).
The Ottawa Hospital
View- Website:
- ottawahospital.on.ca
- Employees:
- 4961
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Governor (Voluntary)The Ottawa Hospital Aug 2023 - PresentOttawa, Ontario Canada
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Distinguished Fellow At The Canada School Of Public ServiceGovernment Of Canada Oct 2022 - Present -
Board Member (Voluntary)The Children'S Aid Society Of Ottawa Sep 2022 - PresentOttawa, Ontario Canada -
PresidentAlzen Consulting Inc. Oct 2021 - PresentOttawa, Ontario, Canada
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Transformation, Digital Strategy And Chief Information OfficerImmigration, Refugees And Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés Et Citoyenneté Canada Jan 2017 - Sep 2021Ottawa, Canada AreaAs Assistant Deputy Minister, I was responsible for both transformation and informatics in the department. As the Chief Transformation Officer, I was providing whole of department leadership for the strategy, planning, design, change management, implementation and management of business transformation across all business lines; the delivery of modern, reliable and innovative digital services that enable IRCC to build a stronger Canada; introducing innovative technology and business solutions; advancement of the Digital Platform Modernization (DPM) initiative; the coordination and strategic engagement with IRCC partner departments as it relates to change and implementation approaches and integrating these advancements into the Department’s daily operations; and leading by setting the vision, opportunities and strategies for innovation at IRCC. I was responsible to commercialize new ideas, initiate growth, and facilitate management changes in a business, as well as be responsible for developing strategies to deliver on IRCC’s mandate.As IRCC’s Chief Information Officer, I was responsible for setting the framework for IRCC’s Information Management and Information Technology operations and leading the orientation, planning, development, integration and maintenance of a cost-effective and secure enterprise IM/IT infrastructure. My mandate also included: setting and defining the strategic planning of growth objectives for IT Operations; overseeing the development of customer service platforms, setting and defining an IT cyber security strategy and updated IT cyber security directives and systems for the Department; innovative digital transition; and overseeing the planning, development and delivery of information services to support the Department in meeting its vision to be a world leader in migration. -
Assistant Deputy Minister; Corporate Services Sector And Chief Information OfficerImmigration, Refugees And Citizenship Canada / Immigration, Réfugiés Et Citoyenneté Canada Dec 2017 - Dec 2019Ottawa, Canada AreaAccountable for providing corporate leadership to the Department on the accountability and management excellence agendas; providing integrated, flexible, cost effective and timely corporate services; providing vision and strategic direction for the sound stewardship of the department's accountability agenda, creating and delivering an integrated, contemporary and service driven corporate service delivery and risk management vision. Accountable for the development and implementation of the Digital Strategy for the department.
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Director General, Canada Border Services Agency Assessment And Revenue Management (Carm) ProjectGovernment Of Canada Feb 2015 - Dec 2017Ottawa, Canada AreaAs Director General, I was responsible for working with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement the solution and tools required by CBSA's Commercial Trade Chain Partners to efficiently and effectively meet their trade compliance responsibilites. CBSA is the second largest collector of revenue for the Government of Canada and through this project, I had the mandate to ensure that the application of trade regulations is developed in a consistent and predictable manner and the collection of duties, taxes and fees owed is completed with the least disruption and burden to the 400,000 Trade Chain Partners. Additionally, my mandate includes the development of Government of Canada internal controls to allow CBSA to meet its financial stewardship through a flexible, adaptable and agile information technology platform to replace the aging information technology systems resulting in the capture and pubilication of standardized trade data and productivity improvements. To achieve this mandate, it was imperative that I work with the private sector and other government departments to develop a multi channel service delivery model.
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Director General; Shared Services Canada - Project Management & Implementation Readiness PracticeGovernment Of Canada Feb 2012 - Feb 2015Ottawa, Canada AreaAs Director General and the corporate functional authority for project management for Shared Services Canada (SSC), I was accountable for providing department-wide executive leadership for the development, implementation and monitoring of overarching governance, accountability and management frameworks, policies, standards, processes, performance reporting frameworks and practices that govern the conduct of all phases of any projects conducted by any of the SSC branches; for establishing a project management and oversight culture; and for providing supporting tools, methodologies and practices and a level of expertise in project management and it's oversight such that SSC projects were managed in a standadized, consistent and effective manner that maximized success and return on ivnestment and advanced the successful achievement of the SSC mandated government-wide information techonology infrastructure services management and delivery role.
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Board MemberHydro Ottawa Jun 2012 - Jun 2017Ottawa, Canada AreaAs a member of the Board of Directors for Hydro Ottawa which comprises of 11 members, collectively we have the accountability for the effective oversight of the Corporation and its subsidiaries and to provide direction to the Corporation on behalf of the shareholder, the City of Ottawa. Additionally, the board provides leadership for the company within a framework of effective controls that enables risks to be assessed and managed, and is responsible for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the company and its subsidiaries.In addition to my duties as a Board Member, I am a member of the Audit Committee and the Governance Committee. -
Co-Champion For DiversityShared Services Canada; Government Of Canada Jun 2012 - Feb 2015OttawaAs the co-champion for diversity, my role was to help SSC understand the business case for being inclusive of the diverse mix of employees. I worked with other government departments and employee groups and committees to put in place policies, culture and services which were inclusive. Additionally, I leveraged opportunities to be connected with other Diversity Champions, policy makers, thought leaders, clients, potential employees to promote best practices within SSC. -
Board MemberUnited Way Of Ottawa Jun 2011 - Jun 2013Ottawa, Canada AreaAs a member of the Board of Directors for United Way Ottawa, collectively we had the accountability for the effective oversight of the Corporation and to provide direction to the Corporation. Additionally, the board provided leadership to the organization within a framework of effective controls that enabled risks to be assessed and managed, and were responsible for supervising the management of the business and affairs of the organization.
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President (Voluntary)Ismaili Council For Canada Jul 2005 - Jul 2012Mandate included implementation of structures and processes that oversaw the social governance, administration, guidance, supervision and coordination of the activities of the members of the ismaili community which led to the improvements in the quality of life of the community through appropriate policies, programs in the areas of education, health, social welfare, housing, economic welfare, cultural and women's activities, youth and sports development which was measured through agreed upon key performance indicators.
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Acting Vice President, Emerging & Developing Markets And Executive Advisor, Business DevelopmentCanadian Commercial Corporation - Corporation Commerciale Canadienne 2008 - 2012Accountable for strategic leadership of initiatives to assist in the development of international trade in particular in relation to infrastructure projects between Canada and emerging and developing countries; for strengthening relations with major partners and clients, as well as for contributing to the corporation's strategic planning and sound corporate management. Mandate included building and fostering key relationships with private sector organizations, commercial banking organizations and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade focused on contract negotiations with applied risk management practices resulting in the awarding of infrastructure projects to canadian private sector organizations. -
Executive Director; Treasury Board SecretariatGovernment Of Canada Apr 2003 - 2008Ottawa, Canada AreaResponsibilities included development of policies and the management of decision-making process for policy advancement and significant stakeholder relationships with senior executives in federal government departments and central agencies. Mandate included the development and implementation of a research division responsible for analyzing foreign and domestic policies as well as emerging trends. Responsibility included the establishment of a Deputy Minister led committee on Values & Ethics in the public service. Participated in the task force for the development of the Public Service Modernization Act and the Public Service Employment Act and contributed tot he Federal Accountability Act as they related to the Values & Ethics agenda.
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Chair (Voluntary)Human Resources Development Board Jul 2002 - Jul 2005As Chair for the HR Board, I worked closely with the President and the senior management team to build the necessary human capital strategies and programs to drive the organization's continued growth. Working with leaders managing over 6,000 volunteers, developed best practice strategies and execution methodologies to deliver continued organizational success.
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Director, Price Waterhouse Coopers - Business DevelopmentPricewaterhousecoopers 2000 - 2003Responsible for the overall strategy and practice expansion for Global Business development in the domain of business process outsourcing and business process reengineering which included the esablishment of new partnership deals globally. -
Chair (Voluntary)Economic Planning Board Jul 1999 - Jul 2002As Chair for the Economic Planning Board’s, my mission was to improve the economic well being of the community by providing guidance and assistance towards a sound financial base and to empower individuals to acquire the skills and knowledge to become gainfully employed.
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Chair (Voluntary)Settlement Of Refugees Committee Jul 1997 - Jul 2000Ottawa, Canada AreaAs Chair for the Settlement of Refugees Committee for Ottawa, my mandate was to work with established non government organizations to develop agreements, frameworks and support structures for the effective settlement of refugees from Afghanistan.
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Senior Director - Employee ServicesNortel Networks 1995 - 2000Led CEO sponsored 15-member task force focussed on designing and deploying a global New Hire process and systems. Mandate included turning around operations, establishing consistent and appropriate business practices and building staff/client morale through the re-enginering of the New Hire Process. Responsibility included delivering customized workflow processes for the regional deployments globally involving significant process complexity; legislative complexities, cultural nuances and regional buy-in within the alloted 18-month timeframe. Countires of concentration included: North America, Europe, Hong Kong and Central America. Accountability included working with merger and acquisitions team to establish effective relationship with acquired company. was awared Nortel Award of Excellence for process improvements.
Zaina Sovani Skills
Zaina Sovani Education Details
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Masters In Business Administration -
Government Of CanadAccelerated Executive Development Program (Aexdp) -
Executive Education -
Certification: Driving Digital Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions about Zaina Sovani
What company does Zaina Sovani work for?
Zaina Sovani works for The Ottawa Hospital
What is Zaina Sovani's role at the current company?
Zaina Sovani's current role is Digital & Transformation Strategist. Former Assistant Deputy Minister & Chief Information Officer at Government of Canada, Distinguished Fellow at the Canada School of Public Service. Executive Advisor to Deloitte..
What is Zaina Sovani's email address?
Zaina Sovani's email address is zs****@****ers.com
What schools did Zaina Sovani attend?
Zaina Sovani attended University Of Ottawa, Government Of Canad, University Of California, Berkeley, Haas School Of Business, Harvard Business School Executive Education.
What skills is Zaina Sovani known for?
Zaina Sovani has skills like Project Management, Government, Governance, Strategic Planning, Policy, Program Management, Policy Analysis, Leadership, Analysis, Change Management, Organizational Development, Management.
Who are Zaina Sovani's colleagues?
Zaina Sovani's colleagues are Kyle Anthony De La Cruz, Nathalie Loiselle, Marwan Dayfallah, Jana Marcoux, Meg Rowat, Green Douglas, Serge Danis.
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