NMC Managers Connect 2024 – Ottawa (NCR)

In May 2023, Camille was appointed as Executive Director, National Managers Community (NMC), where she will work to promote the needs and interests of federal managers to public service decision-makers. Prior to this, Camille was Assistant Director, Learning and Product Development Team within the Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces Directorate at the Canada School of Public Service. She has been with the School since 2018, having worked in various positions both operational, in Curriculum Management as part of the Registrar’s Office, and more strategic, as Chief of Staff to the Vice-president of the Public Sector Operations and Inclusion Branch.

Camille joined the federal public service in 2008, having previously worked at the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission, in a number of management and project management roles. Camille holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as professional certification in HR Management and lives in the National Capital Region.

Arun Thangaraj was newly appointed Deputy Minister at Transport Canada in February 2023. He brings over 20 years of experience in information technology, corporate planning, finance and management. Previously, he was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and from 2020 to 2022, Arun was the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada. He also served as Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Global Affairs Canada, where he was responsible for information management and information technology. In 2011, he was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the former Canadian International Development Agency.

Arun received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for his contribution to the federal public service and to his community. He has served on various governance boards, including the Global Fund’s Finance and Operations Committee, and is a member of the Public Sector Pension Advisory Committee. He is also a sessional lecturer at Carleton University’s School of Public Administration, where he has taught courses in the management stream for many years. Arun is a chartered professional accountant and holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, and an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Toronto.

On March 3, 2021, Tina Namiesniowski assumed the role of Senior Associate Deputy Minister at Employment and Social Development Canada. In addition, the Clerk appointed her Deputy Minister Champion for Employees with Disabilities in the Federal Public Service effective November 29, 2022.

Ms. Namiesniowski has spent more than 30 years in the federal government. Throughout her career, she has accumulated a wide range of experience in policy, programs and operations and has a passion for public service.

Prior to arriving at ESDC, Tina worked in eight different federal organizations, with the last 20 years at the executive level. She spent time in central agencies, including Privy Council Office as Assistant Secretary, Operations Secretariat, and line departments. Her program experience stems from her work as Director General, Multiculturalism and Human Rights at Canadian Heritage and as Assistant Deputy Minister with Programs Branch at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. She also served as Strategic Policy Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Safety Canada and Assistant Deputy Minister, Markets and Industry Services Branch at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. At the deputy level, she was most recently Executive Vice-President at the Canada Border Services Agency, following which she was President of the Public Health Agency of Canada during the biggest public health crisis of the century.

Tina’s career has greatly deepened her understanding of Canada, the citizens we serve and our contribution globally. She knows first-hand the stresses that organizations face in times of peril, what it takes to rise to the challenge and the importance of innovation. She is committed to service, policy and program excellence as well as continuous improvement. She cares deeply about people, diversity, inclusion, mental health and well-being.

Tina holds a bachelor of arts in political science and history from Carleton University. She also holds a master of arts in political science, with a concentration in strategic studies and international relations from Dalhousie University.

She is married and has three children.

Irene Compton is co-founder of Minwaashin Lodge celebrating 30 years of work there. She is an inter-generational survivor of the residential school system. Her work at the lodge supports women survivors of lethal violence, assisting them with safety plans, stabilization, healing and employment and education achievement.

Irene is the Keeper of the stories at Minwaashin’s Sacred Lodge which connects Indigenous women to their culture, identity and pride.

Julie Wills recently joined the National Managers’ Community as the Regional Lead for the National Capital Region (NCR). Julie’s home organization is Justice Canada, where she has held various management and supervisory roles in the learning and professional development area. Transformative work experiences have included being the resource person for Justice’s Advisory Committee on Indigenous Peoples and managing the National Mentoring Program. She is a certified EQ-i 2.0 coach, and is in the process of obtaining her International Coaching Federation certification through the Adler Graduate Professional School. She is passionate about playing an advocacy, communication and coaching role to serve managers across the federal government.

Melanie joined the Government of Canada in 2010 with the Department of National Defence. Melanie is the Director of the Conflict Management System team at the Department of Justice and Associate Ombuds since 2021. She was elected champion of the Federal Informal Conflict Management System in December 2020. Melanie has extensive experience in the field of conflict management including coaching individuals and working with teams on group dynamics. She is a certified practitioner in the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator, Non-Violent Communication, Appreciative Inquiry, Healing Circles, Team Dynamic Conversations and Resiliency Mapping. She has a BA with honours in Conflict Resolution from Saint Paul’s University.