Sharon Lee Smith has been Associate Deputy Minister, Policy and Transformation, since February 2015.

An executive with more than 20 years of public-service experience, Sharon Lee served most recently as Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Ministry of Health, Government of Saskatchewan. In this role, she was responsible for key areas, including: public health, mental health and addictions, seniors’ and long-term care, laboratory services and primary health care. 

Prior to joining the Ministry of Health in Saskatchewan, Sharon Lee was ADM for the Saskatchewan Region of Western Economic Diversification Canada. In 2013, as ADM, she received the Lieutenant Governor’s Gold Medal Award of Excellence for Public Administration. 

Her international work experience has included representing Canada in United Nations climate change negotiations in her role as Director General, International Affairs Branch, Environment Canada. She was also responsible for leading multilateral engagement and negotiations with international institutions, including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, Rome and Nairobi; the United Nations Environment Program and the Commission for Sustainable Development in New York City.

Sharon Lee has held leadership positions at Health Canada — as Regional Director for Northern Health and Executive Director, Aboriginal Health Secretariat – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.