Key Influencer – Brian Pollard - Chief Executive Officer of Assisted Living Alberta

Source: LinkedIn

Brian Pollard has served as Chief Executive Officer of Assisted Living Alberta since July 2026, taking the leadership of one of the province’s newest health agencies as Alberta continues restructuring the delivery of health care. In this role, Pollard leads the organization responsible for provincial assisted living services, bringing more than two decades of senior leadership experience across health care, long-term care, government, and the broader public sector.

Pollard comes to Alberta following an extensive career in Ontario’s health system. Most recently, he served as Health System Executive, Clinical at Lakeridge Health in the Greater Toronto Area, where his portfolio included post-acute care, regional nephrology, community services, and long-term care. During his tenure, Pollard helped reduce Alternate Level of Care pressures, transition services from hospitals into community settings, and stabilize long-term care operations, experience that closely aligns with Alberta’s efforts to improve patient flow and provide appropriate care outside acute-care settings.

Prior to joining Lakeridge Health, Pollard spent several years in senior leadership with the Government of Ontario, including as Assistant Deputy Minister of Long-Term Care Capital Development. In that role, he led a significant expansion of Ontario’s long-term care system, overseeing a development program that resulted in thousands of new beds opening across the province. He also previously held responsibility for long-term care licensing and compliance, overseeing the regulation of more than 600 homes and managing the compliance portfolio during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pollard’s combination of operational and government experience is particularly relevant as Assisted Living Alberta establishes itself within the province’s refocused health system. His background spans both the policy and delivery sides of continuing care, with experience addressing capacity constraints, regulatory oversight, capital development, and the movement of patients between hospitals, long-term care, and community-based services..

Earlier in his career, Pollard worked in consulting in Washington, D.C., including on energy and environmental matters for the United States government. He holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University, a Master’s in Engineering Management from George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is also a Certified Health Executive. As Assisted Living Alberta takes on a growing role within the province’s restructured health system, Pollard will be a key figure in determining how Alberta expands capacity, strengthens continuing care, and better connects hospital, community, and assisted living services.