Lesley Myles’ journey and commitment to lifelong learning and leadership
Lesley Myles, CHE, began her academic journey at the University of Stirling in Scotland, completing a Sociology degree before pivoting to nursing. Encouraged by her mother to pursue a professional path that would allow her independence, mobility and room to grow, Lesley has spent the next 20 years in healthcare. Her career has offered her everything her mother wanted for her, and that she wanted for herself: balance, purpose, and long-term opportunity.
Through the years, Lesley has built a frontline nursing career that spanned Scotland, Libya, and Canada, which has offered her a broad understanding of the health care contiuum and sparked her interest in how systems function and evolve. In 2009, she transitioned into leadership within the Calgary Zone Home Care Program, followed by a move to Carewest administration in 2016.
She is committed to lifelong learning and to continually strive for mastery within the LEADS capability framework. Her curiosity led her to pursue a Master in Leadership at Royal Roads University, a Fellowship in Health System Improvement at the University of Alberta, and ultimately the CHE designation in 2019.
Lesley initially joined the Canadian College of Health Leaders out of curiosity and with the hope of expanding her network and learning more about the broader healthcare system. Through her involvement with the Southern Alberta Chapter, she found mentors, had the opportunity to mentor others, met an incredible group of leaders, and was Chapter Chair for three years.
She advises aspiring health leaders and new College members to simply get involved. “Join your local Chapter. Ask curious questions. Offer ideas and challenge processes where you see opportunities for improvement. Build relationships, volunteer, and participate in conversations that matter.”
Over the years, her greatest accomplishments are tied to leading people through some of the most challenging periods in our system. It is not a single project or milestone, but it is the teams and individuals she has helped shape and influence into strong, adaptive and developing leaders that is the most meaningful part for her. It is because of this commitment to leadership that she has been selected as the 2026 Chapter Award for Distinguished Service recipient for the Southern Alberta Chapter.