Godfrey Jerry is the WCB’s new Chief Operating Officer.
Jerry joined the WCB in August 2024, after 22 years with Manulife.
During his time with Manulife, his progressive leadership roles spanned much of the operation, culminating in his role as Head of Group Life, Individual Disability and Federal Operations.
“Godfrey has proven himself to be a results-oriented leader. He’s what this organization needs for the future, as we continue our work to protect the workforce,” says WCB CEO Karen Adams.
Jerry will lead the WCB’s operational execution of its Protect More Strategic Plan 2024-2030, informed by a results-driven, efficiency-first approach. That Strategic Plan calls for a 35 per cent improvement in return-to-work outcomes by 2030, and sets new service level agreements.
A year into the Strategic Plan, service level agreements are being met, and the WCB remains a leader in injury prevention compared to the rest of Canada. On the other hand, when injury happens, workers still stay off work much longer than they do in other provinces.
The Chief Operating Officer is a critical role, as the WCB continues responding to the recent review of the Nova Scotia workers’ compensation system.
“The Review Committee’s report underlined the problem in Nova Scotia workers’ compensation, which remains simple: Too many people stay on short term benefits too long, and too many of them go on to receive long term benefits,” says Adams. “Godfrey is going to help us solve that problem.”
The role of Chief Operating Officer oversees the WCB’s Return to Work, Health Services, Business Evolution and Central Services portfolios – the key drivers of the WCB’s strategic performance metrics.
Jerry says he is looking forward to continued contribution to a better future for Nova Scotia’s workers and employers, in a new capacity.
“This organization has the potential to make such an important contribution to our province’s future,” Jerry says. “I’m looking forward to continuing to be part of that conversation, leveraging what I can from my past experience, and applying it in new ways for a different future.”