Katie Kelland joined NLC in August 2025, bringing over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in people and culture roles with Sobeys Inc., one of Canada’s largest and most complex retail organizations, and one which has many similarities to NLC. Prior to joining NLC, Katie served as National Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Sobeys, where she led enterprise-wide initiatives that enhanced employee engagement, strengthened workplace culture, and delivered measurable outcomes. Her career at Sobeys spanned a range of roles in both operations and human resources, including regional HR leadership for the province of Alberta, the development and execution of employee engagement strategies across Western Canada, and HR business partnership roles in Newfoundland and Labrador. Earlier in her career, Katie also served as a Store Manager, providing her with a strong operational perspective that informs her leadership today.

Katie is widely recognized for her ability to inspire and mobilize teams, build inclusive and high-performing cultures, and navigate complex organizational challenges with empathy and strategic clarity. Her experience leading change initiatives, supporting union relationships, and implementing innovative HR systems positions her well to help shape the next chapter of people and culture at NLC.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op), with a concentration in Human Resources, from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a certified Gallop CliftonStrengths coach and holds a DEI certification from Cornell University. Her continued professional development includes training in mental health leadership, workplace investigations, and inclusive leadership practices. In addition to her professional commitments, Katie actively volunteers as a community representative for the school council at St. Peter’s Primary, reflecting her strong commitment to community engagement and local education.