Pender & Howe Tapped by Covenant Health for COO Search

May 30, 2025 – Toronto-based Pender & Howe Executive Search has been retained to lead the search for a chief operating officer, acute & primary care for Covenant Health. The search is being spearheaded by managing principal Glenn Lesko. The COO at Covenant Health will play a pivotal role in shaping the delivery of acute and primary health services within a dynamic, mission-driven organization. Reporting directly to the CEO, the COO will oversee a large and growing portfolio that currently includes approximately 1,000 beds across high-acuity urban hospitals and rural acute care sites, with expansion plans to reach 1,700 beds. This portfolio carries a budget of approximately $700 million.

As a member of the executive leadership team, the COO is also expected to think and act beyond their care portfolio—contributing to Covenant’s broader organizational strategy and shaping the future of healthcare delivery across all pillars. This includes both system-wide and organization- wide influence, ensuring alignment with Covenant’s mission and values while helping to advance integrated, patient-centered care models.

The ideal candidate is a visionary and strategic leader—capable of designing actionable roadmaps for change, navigating complexity with confidence, and driving entrepreneurial solutions that improve patient outcomes, organizational performance, and the long-term sustainability of healthcare in Alberta.

Those applying must have a master’s degree in health administration, business, or related field. They should have a minimum of 10 years of progressive senior leadership experience in healthcare, preferably within acute or complex care environments. Candidates must also have in-depth knowledge of Alberta’s healthcare system, provincial structures, and operational dynamics. Demonstrated success leading large, complex teams in unionized and matrixed environments, with a strong track record of fostering inclusive leadership and building high-performing, diverse teams is also desired.

With a focus on serving the most vulnerable and marginalized in society, Catholic healthcare provider Covenant Health provides high quality care across the full range of healthcare services in 12 communities across Alberta, Canada. Its workforce numbers about 11,000 staff, 730 volunteers, and 2,410 physicians. Covenant Health is committed to diversity and inclusion, serving, employing, and celebrating people of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.

Covenant Health also called in Pender & Howe to lead in its search for vice president, mental health and addictions. This leader will advance recovery-oriented, culturally responsive approaches as well as influence policy and system-wide strategy. They will also build coalitions across clinical, community, and government partners. For this role, a master’s degree in health administration, business, or a related field (clinical or leadership background in mental health/addictions is a strong asset) is required. Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of senior leadership experience in health care, including significant responsibility for mental health and addiction services.

Related: Pender & Howe Executive Search Recruits CEO for CAAIN

“Both searches reflect Covenant Health’s commitment to equity, innovation, and whole-person care,” Pender & Howe said in a LinkedIn post. “We’re excited to help find the transformative leaders who will carry this mission forward.”

More Than 30 Years of Combined Experience

Pender & Howe Executive Search is a boutique executive search firm with offices in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Edmonton, Vancouver, and San Francisco. The firm has more than 30 years of combined experience in leadership advisory and executive search. Pender & Howe focuses on collaborating with governing boards and CEOs in identifying world-class executive leaders. It provides leadership solutions that encompass venture capital firms, private equity, new technologies, emerging sectors, as well as board advisory positions. Its clients range from pre-seed start-ups and VC-backed disrupters to global public companies. Specialties include executive search, CEO search, leadership strategy, succession planning, executive assessment, talent management, executive recruiting, culture transformation, board services, and digital transformation.

Travis Hann is a co-founding partner of Pender & Howe. His primary focus is partnering with investors and C-suite leaders on complex executive searches. His latest projects have included a CEO search on behalf of a global family office, building a leadership team for a Series C VC-backed tech company, and replacing a long-standing founder of a business that went public on the NASDAQ.

As the co-founder and partner at Pender & Howe, Mr. Lesko brings over 25 years of human capital advisory and targeted search experience to his clients. He co-leads Pender & Howe’s North American operations. Previously, Mr. Lesko built and led the education, life sciences, and consumer goods practice for Lock Search Group, Pender & Howe’s sister firm in Western Canada.

Related: Pender & Howe Executive Search Forms Board of Advisors

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media