Nancy Hamzawi Biography
Nancy Hamzawi was born on April 18, 1984, in Ottawa, Canada. Nancy excelled at Ottawa’s public schools, earning top grades in mathematics and chemistry. She went on to study at the University of Ottawa, where she pursued a double major in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry. These dual degrees laid a strong foundation for her future work at the intersection of science, health, and policy. Her graduate studies culminated in a Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering, where she researched industrial processes that reduce environmental impact. Nancy Hamzawi is 41 years old as of 2025.
Nancy Hamzawi Career
Nancy Hamzawi’s career spans over two decades of leadership in Canada’s public service. She began in 2002 at the Canadian International Development Agency, directing environment programs that supported clean water and sustainable agriculture in developing countries. By 2005, she had moved to Environment and Climate Change Canada, where she held roles from Director of International Policy to Executive Director for Ecosystems and Biodiversity.
Her work shaped Canada’s global environmental strategy and strengthened scientific partnerships. In 2015, Nancy transitioned to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada as Director General of the Office of Audit and Evaluation, overseeing reviews that improved program efficiency. Two years later, she returned to Environment Canada to head the Science and Technology Branch, guiding research on plastic pollution, climate change impacts, and biodiversity conservation.
Her expertise in bridging science, regulation, and policy led Health Canada to recruit her in 2018 as Assistant Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 Testing Secretariat. There, she managed Canada’s testing, contact tracing, and data strategy, ensuring rapid response during a public health emergency. In 2022, she took on the role of Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch, where she oversaw the regulation of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food safety. Her leadership ensured that Canadians could trust the safety of medicines and foods even during the pandemic’s peak.
Nancy Hamzawi Personal Life
Nancy Hamzawi is married to Khan Hamzawi, a civil engineer, and together they are blessed with two young children. The Hamzawi family lives in Ottawa, where they enjoy weekend hikes in Gatineau Park and visits to the Rideau Canal. Nancy credits her family’s support for her resilience in high-pressure roles. Close friends describe her as warm, approachable, and calm under stress. She also volunteers at local STEM outreach events, inspiring high-school students—especially young women—to pursue careers in science and public policy. Her commitment to community extends to mentoring new public servants, offering guidance on navigating government structures while staying true to one’s values.
Nancy Hamzawi Appointment
In June 2025, after a distinguished record at Health Canada and Environment Canada, Nancy Hamzawi was appointed the fifth Executive President of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). This role, with a remuneration of $296,000 per year, placed her at the forefront of Canada’s public health leadership. The appointment came amid scrutiny of PHAC’s preparedness during the pandemic and controversies over lab security. Nancy stepped into a position where four previous presidents had resigned and where rebuilding public confidence was paramount.
She immediately set out to strengthen the agency’s scientific capacity, enhance its emergency response frameworks, and streamline communication with provinces and territories. Under her leadership, PHAC is set to launch new initiatives on disease surveillance, mental health support, and Indigenous health partnerships. Nancy also prioritized transparent reporting, ensuring that Canadians received clear, science-based updates during ongoing health challenges. Her combined experience in environmental science, health products regulation, and crisis management equipped her to guide PHAC through a critical period, restoring trust and improving Canada’s preparedness for future public health threats.
Conclusion
With degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry, Nancy Hamzawi built a career that spans international development, environmental protection, food safety, and pandemic response. As PHAC’s leader, she has embraced the challenge of enhancing Canada’s health security and rebuilding trust in public institutions. Her story inspires those who wish to merge scientific rigor with compassionate leadership, showing that effective public policy arises from deep understanding, clear communication, and unwavering dedication to the common good.
FAQs
What education prepared Nancy Hamzawi for her public health roles?
Nancy earned Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry, followed by a Master of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, equipping her with scientific and analytical skills.
What key roles did Nancy hold before leading PHAC?
She served as Assistant Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 Testing Secretariat, Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch, and Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment Canada’s Science and Technology Branch.
How has Nancy contributed to environmental and health policy in Canada?
Through leadership at multiple departments, she shaped Canada’s environmental research, regulated health products and food safety, and guided Canada’s COVID-19 testing and contact tracing strategy.
West is both an engineer and a construction manager with a solid ten-year track record in directing building projects and managing their financial aspects. Throughout his career, he has honed his skills in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, streamlining budget processes, and structuring financing plans that ensure projects are delivered on time and within financial targets.
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