Executive Mentors – NCR Regional day for managers

Amy Meunier,
Assistant Deputy Minister, Commemoration and Public Affairs
Veterans Affairs Canada

Appointed Assistant Deputy Minister in early 2022, Amy brings more than 20 years of government experience, with an established and diverse career in a variety of leadership roles and senior management positions across Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC). Her leadership experience ranges from business transformation, policy, communications, program management, and operations.

Before joining the Public Service, Amy served in a variety of roles to both the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Veterans Affairs, providing key support in relation to the passing of major policy initiatives such as the New Veterans Charter.

Early in her VAC career, Amy was instrumental in the completion of the department’s Independent Assessment which poised the department for effective program delivery and funding to meet the needs of Canada’s Veterans. Soon after, she helped lead the implementation of the department’s five-year transformation agenda before moving on to become the Executive Advisor to the Deputy Minister where she provided critical advice on the delivery of the department’s mandate.

Amy continued to serve in a number of senior executive posts in communications, program management, and operations. Of note, Amy led the development and implementation of a $22.4M communications renewal initiative for the department which has been recognized across government. Amy then led her division in developing the “Wait Time Strategic Direction Plan” which today, still serves as the foundation for action to address wait-times for disability benefits. Under her leadership, the number of disability benefits applications pending beyond the service standard reduced by almost fifty percent.

As a leader, Amy takes pride in her ability to collaborate and build relationships. She believes that by working together with partners, stakeholders, and employees, the department can best help the people it serves experience positive outcomes in life. She is proud to deliver on the mandate that recognizes and remembers the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada and communicating how VAC is here for them.

Amy was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and attended university in Iowa, USA. Upon completing her post-secondary education, Amy moved to Ottawa where she lived until relocating to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, to work at VAC Head Office. As a proud and dedicated Mom, Amy can often be found in the local hockey arena, cheering on her son, Levi.

Ari Slatkoff,
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel
Department of Justice Canada

Ari Slatkoff is Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel at the Department of Justice, Public Safety Legal Services, where he has worked since 2010, leading teams advising clients on national security, corrections and criminal justice matters. Previously, he was counsel at Justice’s Human Rights Law Section (2008-2010) and its National Security Group (2003-2008). He started his career with Justice in 1999, as a federal prosecutor in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. He is the father of three boys, one of whom is the highest ranking youth Scrabble player in North America.

Arun Thangaraj,
Deputy Minister Champion, National Managers’ Community & Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Arun Thangaraj was appointed as the newest Associate Deputy Minister in September 2022. He brings over 20 years of experience in information technology, corporate planning, finance and management. Before joining Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and for the past 2 years, Arun was the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada. Prior to his role at Transport Canada, Arun was 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.

Brenda Watkins,
Acting Director General of the Account Security Directorate
Director Generals Office

Brenda Watkins is the acting Director General of the Account Security Directorate. 

In her current role as the Director General, she is overseeing the evolution of the Agency’s security program and has formalized the organizational structure of the Account Security Directorate.

Cameron McEwen,
Director, Directorate of Portfolio Innovation
National Defence

Cameron McEwen is the Director, Portfolio Innovation with ADM(Infrastructure and Environment) at National Defence in Ottawa.  In his current capacity, Cam leads a team that is responsible for a suite of innovative greening government efforts which are aligned with departmental and Government of Canada commitments on greenhouse gas reduction and sustainability as well as the operational mandate of the Canadian Armed Forces.  Cam has held progressively advanced positions in numerous federal departments and the Treasury Board Secretariat since 1996, and worked previously for several years at the municipal/regional level.

Cathy Maltais,
Director, Recourse Program Management Division
Canada Border Services Agency

Cathy is currently a Director in the Recourse Directorate at the CBSA. She was a manager for nearly a decade, from 2010 to 2019, and has been a Director at the CBSA since 2019. Other than a one-year secondment at Public Safety Canada in 2018, Cathy has so far spent her public service career at the CBSA.

During her 20 years at the Agency, Cathy has worked in many areas within the CBSA including but not limited to projects, programs, corporate and operations. She also managed in the private sector while attending university.

Cathy earned her Bachelor of Social Sciences in Criminology from the University of Ottawa, has a Masters of Arts in Criminal Intelligence from the Charles Sturt University, and a Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of Liverpool.

Christophe Ledent,
Director, Governance and Corporate Support
Transport Canada

Christophe Ledent was appointed to the position of Director, Governance and Corporate Support, effective April 19, 2022.

He comes from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), where he most recently held the positions of Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Priorities and Planning and A/Director, TBS Committees Secretariat. Prior to this, he worked for the TBS Surge Team where he provided policy support to various departmental priorities, including the Business Innovation Review and the establishment of the Office of Public Service Accessibility.

Prior to that, he worked at Finance Canada where he focused on a variety of issues across the Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada portfolios, such as the National Shipbuilding Strategy and the Oceans Protection Plan.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the Université de Montréal and a Master of Science degree in International Business from HEC Montréal.

Daniel Wolfish,
Director General of Regional Operations for the Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Daniel Wolfish has nearly 25 years of experience in the federal public service, of which over 16 years has been as an executive in various program, policy and regulatory roles at Environmental and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada. Daniel has been the Director General of Regional Operations for the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) since October 2018, where he has worked with provincial, territorial, Indigenous and other partners on the implementation of several conservation initiatives, including Canada’s Nature Legacy, Species at Risk, and Migratory Birds. He recently worked on the design of the government’s program on Natural Climate Solutions and oversaw ECCC’s response to the spread of highly pathogenic avian flu. Daniel currently oversees the operations of 25 regional offices spread out among the Branch’s six regions across Canada. Prior to assuming this role, Daniel had been Director General for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs and for International Affairs in ECCC. Daniel counts as a key accomplishment in this latter role leading the successful negotiation between Canada, the United States and Mexico the Leaders’ Statement on a North American Climate, Clean Energy, and Environment Partnership and its corresponding work plan. At Heath Canada, Daniel directed various regulatory programs for the risk management of human and occupational exposure to chemicals. Daniel has also worked at DFO and PCO earlier in his career. Daniel has been married for 22 years and has three teenage children.

Dominic Lachapelle,
Director, Wellness Programs, Wellness / Labour Relations and Compensation Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency

Since joining the Public Service in 2000, Dom has been honing his skills as a convenor, moderator and communicator. He’s spent most of his public service career working in policy, including at Health Canada, HRSDC, TBS, and the President’s Office at PHAC. Outside of government, for over 20 years, Dom has been involved in health and wellness as a trainer, gym owner, and executive coach. About 10 years ago, aiming to merge these two career paths, he began getting involved in workplace wellness efforts—sticking his fingers in and contributing to whatever wellness or mental health initiatives he could. Dom now directs the Wellness Programs Division at the CBSA while working on a PhD in Organizational Health and Well-being. He balances a full and active life outside of work—running ultramarathons, CrossFitting, and taxiing his two boys around—with an engaged and rewarding career helping create work environments that allow individuals to thrive, and organizations to shine. 

Donna Mandeville,
Senior Director, Data Analytics, Communications and Issues Management , Pay Administration Branch
Public Service and Procurement Canada

Donna Mandeville (she/her) was born and raised in Yellowknife, NT. She holds a BA and MA in History, and a Graduate Diploma in Public Policy and Program Evaluation. Her career in the federal government spans two decades and 7 departments, from micro departments to large departments, and even a stop over in a central agency. She has been in leadership roles since 2014, and is proud to be bringing new perspectives in leadership to the public service of Canada. She is currently the Senior Director of Data Analytics, Communications and Issues Management Data, Reporting, and Communications in the Pay Administration Branch of Public Services and Procurement Canada, supporting the stabilization of pay for hard working public servants.

She lives in Ottawa, ON with her partner, two teen daughters, and an energetic Goldendoodle.

Elias Abourizk,
Chief of Staff, Deputy Ministers Office
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Elias has almost 20 years of experience in the public service.  He has taken on both policy development and operational roles, including in international climate change negotiations (ECCC), cabinet operations (PCO), and led major initiatives such as Canada’s participation at the Glasgow Climate Conference (COP26) and the organization of an international event in Canada – the Nature Champions Summit. He is currently Chief of Staff for the Deputy Minister of ECCC.  Elias has an academic background in business administration as well as environmental management.

France Labine,
Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Strategic Planning and Transformation Services
Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

FRANCE LABINE  is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from ENAP along with an Executive Master in Business Administration (UQO). She has worked in several departments including Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Heritage, Correctional Services Canada, and Elections Canada where she was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer. In February 2019, she joined the Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada as the Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Strategic Planning and Transformation Services and now occupies the position of Chief Financial Officer and Head of Human Resources.

She brings with her many years of experience from the public and private sector (President of Influatec Systems Inc.) which was developing financial business solutions like the Salary Management System now known as Person Budget Human Capital (PBHC).

Through all of this, she finds the time to serve on various non-for-profit organizations like the Board of Directors of Centraide Outaouais. For over 9 years, she has been the Treasurer and is now active on the allocation and audit committees, in her free time, she loves to travel and escape In Mont-Tremblant where she can recharge her batteries and enjoy skiing and golfing.

Fred Gaspar,
Vice President, Commercial and Trade Branch
Canada Border Services Agency

Fred Gaspar was appointed as Vice-President of the Commercial and Trade Branch in September 2021.

Prior to his role as Vice-President, Mr. Gaspar Director General responsible for the Commercial Program Directorate, Commercial and Trade Branch. Mr. Gaspar joined the CBSA in January 2019 from the Canadian Transportation Agency, where he served as the Chief Compliance Officer from April 2016 to January 2019. In his role he held corporate responsibilities for various industry regulatory determinations and that constitute Canada’s federally-regulated transportation regime.

Prior to that, he held senior positions, including the National Capital Commission, InterVISTAS Consulting, The Air Transport Association of Canada and Air Canada. Mr. Gaspar graduated from the University of Western Ontario and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Planning.

Janhabi Nandy,
Executive Director, Climate Change Secretariat
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Janhabi Nandy joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in May 2021 to lead a team that supports coordinated implementation of climate action across the federal government. For a decade, Janhabi has worked in the federal government on policy impacting Indigenous communities, interpreting the Citizenship Act, overseeing the financial and performance management of public safety and security organizations and supporting the Treasury Board. Previously, Janhabi advocated for civil rights as an attorney working in New York City, the Navajo and Hopi Nations in the US, and for the government of the Federated States of Micronesia. Janhabi’s parents immigrated to Canada from India in the 1970s, and she grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Janhabi holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, degrees in Law from Cornell Law School, and a BA in Economics from Stanford University.

Jayden Robertson,
Director, Aviation Security, Safety and Security Group
Transport Canada

Jayden Robertson has been a Director at Transport Canada since January 2022 and currently serves as a Director of Aviation Security. Prior to this role, Mr. Robertson was a Director of COVID Response and Recovery Policy.

Mr. Robertson has many years of experience providing operations, policy and communications support, both in the public service and the political sphere.

Before joining TC, Mr. Robertson was the Director, Operational Program Delivery, and Corporate Affairs and Program Services, with the COVID-19 Border Task Force at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). In this position, he led the development, implementation, and oversight of COVID-related measures at the Canadian borders. At the CBSA, he also worked in various roles, including media relations, traveller operations and COVID-19 response. In these roles, he managed issues and crisis mitigation, communications and response, designed strategic engagement frameworks, and developed policy and operational strategies.

Before joining the CBSA, Mr. Robertson worked alongside ministers and political leaders on Parliament Hill, where he had a wide array of duties and several positions. These included Manager of Operations and Communications, Manager of Issues Communications and other strategic policy roles.

Mr. Robertson holds a bachelor’s degree in Conflict Studies and Human Rights with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa.

Jennifer Kasiri,
Director, Business Management and Governance
Department of Justice

Prior to joining the public service at the Department of Justice Canada over 6 years ago, Jennifer was living in Milan (yes, Italy!) where she completed a Master’s Degree in Fashion Communication and Public Relations. Fast forward to today, she is the Director of Business Management (DBM) for Management Sector and has the great fortune of leading a small but mighty team responsible for a variety of files including accessibility, corporate events, governance, sector planning and performance measurement, as well as sustainable development.

As an early adopter of the hybrid work model, she has firsthand experience with leading a team through change while not losing sight of each other’s humanity. She understands the importance of active listening, empathy and the need for open and ongoing dialogue. Jennifer strives to: foster a work environment based on collaboration and mutual support; and approaches her work and relationships from a posture of learning and a place of curiosity.

One thing that remains true – without leaders and mentors that were open and willing to share their knowledge and lived experience – Jennifer wouldn’t be where she is today and hopes to pay it forward in her own way.

John Kane,
Acting Director General of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Public Service Commission

John joined the federal public service in 2005 and is currently the Acting Director General of Communications  and Parliamentary Affairs at the Public Service Commission of Canada. John has worked in the private and voluntary sectors and overseas.

Joshua LaRocque,
Director General, Transportation Infrastructure Programs
Transport Canada

Josh LaRocque is currently the Director General, Transportation Infrastructure Programs, at Transport Canada. Before joining TC, Josh was Director General, Strategic Directions at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). In this role, he led teams responsible for various projects such as research, data analytics and innovation in grants and contributions delivery and program design. Over the last two years, he worked on numerous pandemic response measures and programs in both the labour market and social development sphere. Prior to that time, he held various positions in strategic and program policy, communications, and executive offices at Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Linda Drainville,
Assistant Deputy Minister/Chief Financial Officer Corporate Services and Finance Branch
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Ms. Linda Drainville was appointed the Assistant Deputy Minister Corporate Services and Finance, and Chief Financial Officer of Environment and Climate Change Canada on March 15^th, 2021.

Before joining ECCC, Linda was the DND/CAF Associate Assistant Deputy Minister Finance (Associate ADM(Fin)) responsible for supporting the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Deputy Minister (DM) in the effective delivery of Canada’s Defence Policy: Strong, Secured, and Engaged (SSE) as it pertains to the sound stewardship and financial management of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Ms. Drainville was also responsible for the development of DND/CAF’s digital financial transformation strategy.

In her Associate ADM’s role, Linda provided sound leadership in advancing key CFO/DM priorities and continuous improvement to the departmental financial program, while being a strong advocate for the portfolios of mental health and well-being in the workplace.

Leading up to her position as Associate ADM(Fin), Linda served as the DND/CAF Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director General, Financial Operations and Services. In this capacity, she served as the strategic advisor to the CFO in the areas of public accounts, compliance to the Financial Administration Act, inventory management, and financial litigations.

Before joining DND/CAF, Linda was the CFO of the Canada Council for the Arts where she provided strategic financial advice to the Chief Executive Officer and was responsible for human resources, information management and information technology as well as asset management and security.

Throughout her career, Linda has also occupied various notable positions in the fields of finance, audit, and forensic accounting, more specifically with the United Nations, the Office of the Auditor General, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as well as the Canada Revenue Agency. Ms. Drainville holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Major in Accounting) from the University of Québec in Montréal. She also holds a Diploma in Investigative and Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and is certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).

Lisa Brooks,
Director, Project and Portfolio Management
Canada  Border Services Agency

Lisa Brooks recently joined the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as the Director, Project and Portfolio Management for Traveler Transformation. Prior to her role at CBSA, Lisa was a Director in the Public Sector Skills Division at the Canada School of Public Service where she embraced the importance and integration of diversity and inclusion, accessibility, and user-centric design. In her roles as Director of Strategic Planning and Corporate Services at Innovation, Science and Economic Development, as well as Director of Business Management in the Materiel and Supply Chain Management section of National Defence, Lisa gained experience in strategic human resources planning, agile procurement practices, and financial forecasting and reporting. Her background as a National Defence Communications Advisor and Manager provided Lisa with the opportunity to establish and maintain strategic partnerships with stakeholders, and to manage high-profile issues. As an action-oriented leader in the Public Service, her passion for collaborative efforts, openness, and inclusion drives Lisa in her work and engagement with others.

Prior to joining the Canadian Public Service, Lisa worked in the non-profit sector, and obtained a degree in Psychology with a minor in French from Carleton University and a Diploma in Public Relations from Algonquin College.

Lucy Loignon,
Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Designated Official for Cyber Security (DOCS) Corporate Services and Finance Branch
Environment and Climate Change Canada

Ms. Loignon was appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) in August 2016.  As CIO, Ms. Loignon leads the Digital Strategy implementation and the Information Management (IM) and Information Technology (IT) initiatives and operations that enable the delivery of ECCC programs and services.  Among her strategic objectives, Ms. Loignon is responsible for the delivery of modern IM/IT solutions and practices, for the implementation of the ECCC project management center of excellence and to position the IM/IT team to embrace challenges of the future. As ECCC’s designated official for cyber security, Ms. Loignon is responsible in providing leadership, coordination and oversight for departmental cyber security management activities.

Ms. Loignon honed her expertise in strategic and business planning development and transformation, implementation of modern management practices in the area of client service, project management and oversight, strategic and tactical planning, human resources, procurement, finance, particularly in the area of information management and information technology.

Originally from Sherbrooke, Québec, Ms. Loignon graduated from the Université Laval with a Master in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the Université du Québec in Trois-Rivières, Québec.

Michael Bisson,
Executive Director, National Targeting Center/ Intelligence and Enforcement Branch
Canada Border Services Agency

Mike Bisson has been the Executive Director of the CBSA’s National Targeting Center (NTC) since April 2021.  Prior to that, he worked for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for 15 years in a variety of operational and corporate roles both in Canada and abroad.  Mike is also an army reservist with over 23 years of service, including domestic and international deployments.

Michelle Kovacevic,
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch
Department of Finance Canada

Michelle Kovacevic is the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch at the Department of Finance. The Branch is responsible for the administration and oversight of Canada’s major transfers to provinces and territories, including the Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer, Equalization and Territorial Formula Finance, and the Canada Pension Plan.

In addition, the Branch provides the Minister of Finance with advice on a broad range of social policy issues related to: health; labour; income security; veterans; immigration; housing; indigenous policy; justice and security; diversity and inclusion; and culture.

Michelle holds a Master’s of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University. Her long professional history in the health and social policy space began as a social worker at Saint Michael’s hospital in Toronto, before returning to her hometown of Thunder Bay where she held positions for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the Ministry of Children Services., and with the Thunder Bay and Champlain Health Councils.  

Prior to joining the federal Department of Finance Michelle held a number of senior executive positions with the Government of Canada related to health and social policy. In addition to serving as the Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Affairs and Communications for the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, she has also held senior executive roles in the Social Policy branch of Health Canada, at the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch of Health Canada, and at Correctional Services Canada.  In her spare time, Michelle is an avid athlete who uses sport as another way to continue giving back to her community. She coaches competitive girls soccer teams and enjoys basketball, hiking and running. Once she takes her track shoes off, you’re most likely to find her enjoying a movie with some popcorn.

Mylaine Des Rosiers,
Director, Office of Regulatory Policy and Innovation Safety & Security Group
Transport Canada

Mylaine Des Rosiers is an experienced federal regulator specialized in the transportation sector, working for the Government of Canada, Department of Transport. She is currently the Director of the Office of Regulatory Policy & Innovation for Transport Canada.

Called to the Quebec Bar in 1993 after obtaining her LL.L from the University of Ottawa, she focused her legal practice on litigation and taught law at the Law Faculty, Ottawa University, and the Quebec Bar School. 

She joined the federal Government in 2001 as a civil aviation regulator for Transport Canada.  In 2018, she led the development and publication of the Regulatory Roadmap on Innovation and Investment for the transportation sector and created the Transport Canada Office of Regulatory Policy and Innovation.  In her current role, she is leading a team of dedicated regulators mandated to modernize regulatory frameworks and address regulatory barriers to innovation in the transportation sector.

Paola Zurro,
Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Forces Housing Agency
National Defence

As CEO CFHA, Paola leads a Special Operating Agency supporting the quality of life of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families through the provision of housing services in 27 locations across Canada, and is responsible for the stewardship and sustainable management of DND’s housing infrastructure.

Prior to joining CFHA, Paola served as the Senior Director, Architecture and Engineering Services, Real Property Services, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), and as Director of Public Work and Infrastructure, municipality of Chelsea (Quebec).

Paola has contributed to the improvement of infrastructure, promoted the use of renewable energies and the advancement of sustainability, accessibility, digital transformation and diversity as an executive in the public sector and in her previous roles.

Rox-Anne D’Aoust,
Executive Director, Operations, Communications Branch
Transport Canada

Rox-Anne D’Aoust is the Executive Director of Communications and is responsible for the provision of strategic communications advice to program, project and policy clients and to the Minister’s office, delivery and implementation of communications campaigns, development and delivery of  communications products and the coordination of media relations and ministerial events. Rox-Anne led the digitization of the Communications approval process and was instrumental in the re-alignment of the Communications Branch.

Prior to joining Transport Canada in January 2020, Rox-Anne was Director of Communications at the Transportation Safety Board of Canada where she led on issues and crisis management, stakeholder engagement, media events, and awareness campaigns. Rox-Anne has a little over six years of experience as an executive in communications. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and is a Certified Professional Coach as well as an Energy Leadership Index ^TM Master Practitioner.

Ryan Pilgrim,
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services
Transport Canada

Ryan Pilgrim became Transport Canada’s Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services in June 2019.

Ryan has extensive experience in accounting, budget management and financial policy development. He began his professional career as an accountant with Ernst and Young, where he worked both in Toronto and France. Ryan joined the Federal Public Service in 2002, where he held various positions in Finance and IM/IT at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). He subsequently moved to Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), where held the position of Director General, Budget and Cost Management. Ryan has also worked at the Office of the Comptroller General within the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), where he developed a wide variety of financial policies and led the talent management of financial personnel across the Government of Canada. In 2018, he joined Transport Canada as the Director General, Financial Planning and Resource Management.

Ryan graduated from Queen’s Commerce with a specialization in Finance and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA-CA).

Sarah de Boer,
Director, Research, Analysis and Coordination Division
Canada Revenue Agency

Sarah de Boer is a proud public servant who has worked in program, information technology and public affairs during her 10+ years in the federal service. Prior to this, she worked as a consultant in the public sector for over 8 years providing business analysis support to the technology sector. Sarah is a Lean for Government Champion as well as a Project Management Professional (PMP), and possesses an Applied Masters in Project Management awarded by The George Washington University School of Business.  Sarah, with boundless energy and passion,  supports her EX community as representative, and has demonstrated her value for balance in all things by occupying a Culture Championship created for her during the past two years. She is a family-focussed person who takes great pride in her husband and children, Rebecca and Daniel, and when not working can be found skiing or spending many hours at the rink, and is an active member of the community where she occupies Board positions for her children’s hockey and ringette and serves on her children’s parent councils.

Sheehan Carter,
Director General, Strategic Policy
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

In his current role, Mr. Carter leads the CRTC’s work on social and consumer policy; data collection and market intelligence; as well as strategic planning and international collaboration. He also plays a key leadership role in preparing the CRTC for significant legislative change.

Over his 25 years at the CRTC, Mr. Carter has had the opportunity to lead or work on many of the most significant regulatory decisions made by the CRTC with respect to both broadcasting and telecommunications. He has also authored or co-authored a number of CRTC reports and other publications, including, most recently, its 2018 “Harnessing Change: The Future of Programming Distribution in Canada” report.

Mr. Carter holds degrees in mass media communications and English literature from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in communications from Carleton University.

Stephanie Austin,
Director of Policy and Engagement, Office of Public Service Accessibility
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Stephanie Austin is motivated by social innovation, social justice and social change. She has worked to advance the public policy agenda in four departments since joining the federal public service. Since 2018, Stephanie has worked in the Office of Public Service Accessibility in the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. She has built a dynamic team of employees with lived experience of disability who have led the co-development and implementation of Nothing Without Us: An Accessibility Strategy for the Public Service of Canada to prepare the federal public service to lead by example in accessibility and disability inclusion.

Stéphanie Drouin,
Director General,  Transformation and Innovation Directorate
Canada Border Services Agency

with the Government of Canada for 22 years

I have worked for multiple departments including Environment (and Climate Change) Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Public Services and procurement Canada, the former Canada Revue Agency, and Shared Services Canada. 

I was DRAP’ed in 2012 and had to find a new career path.

I have had career opportunities that had me in various classifications throughout my career – Administrative Services, Purchasing and Supply, Physical Science Group, Director General, including being a Strategic Advisor to a Senior Associate Assistant Deputy Minister.  Taught me to be adaptable and open to new possibilities

I like to be creative (tell me the “what” not the “how”) and authentic at work.

At some point in my career, I would like to be a Lighthouse keeper on the West coast.

I believe in “team work makes the dream work”. Diverse teams!  Co creation!

Steven Harris,
Assistant Deputy Minister – Service Delivery, Veterans Affairs Canada

As the Assistant Deputy Minister of Service Delivery, I am proud to lead the branch of Veterans Affairs Canada that is responsible for providing direct service to Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, RCMP members, certain civilians and their families.
In partnership with Veterans, other federal government departments, stakeholder organizations, and with provinces and communities across the country, the Service Delivery branch focused on ensuring that services and benefits address the needs of the Veteran community and support successful outcomes in all areas of well-being, including employment or other meaningful activity, housing and physical environment, finances and social integration.
Throughout my career I have seen the benefits of partnership and engagement, of continuous improvement through asking questions, and the value of understanding how all of the pieces fit together. I have worked in multiple departments such as Treasury Board Secretariat, Social Development Canada, and Canadian Heritage in addition to almost ten years with Veterans Affairs Canada. My experience has included policy, communications, parliamentary and cabinet affairs, procurement and security, and service delivery. All of these roles have combined to shape my perspective and approach, and in each position I been fortunate to have worked with dedicated, smart professionals who always want to make things better for those we serve.

Stujata Verma,
Director General of DIBOSD (Disability, Indigenous and Benefits Outreach Services Directorate)
Canada Revenue Agency

Sujata began her career with the Canada Revenue Agency in 2001 at the Prairie Regional Office in Winnipeg. Since then, she has held positions with increasing responsibilities which included management positions in the Ontario Region, Assessment, Benefit and Services Branch (ABSB) and the Collections and Verification Branch (CVB). Sujata started her journey as an Executive in 2015 in the Ontario Region and subsequently moved to ABSB as Director within the Call Centre Services Directorate and since October 2019 has been the Director, Benefit Partnerships and Services Division in the Benefit Programs Directorate, ABSB. Sujata holds a Masters in Clinical Psychology and has a Professional Certificate in Management Skills from the Sprott School of Business. She is a graduate of the Agency’s Middle Management Development Program. Since August 2020, Sujata has been the national lead for the Visible Minority Network, and in April 2022, she accepted a new role as the Director General of DIBOSD (Disability, Indigenous and Benefits Outreach Services Directorate) at the CRA.

Ted Gallivan,
Executive Vice President
Canada Border Services Agency

Ted was appointed Executive Vice President of the Canada Border Services Agency on September 1, 2021. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Assistant Commissioner of the Compliance Programs Branch at the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) from January 2016 – August 2021. He also previously served as the CRA’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Compliance Programs Branch and of the Taxpayer Services and Debt Management Branch from August 2013 to March 2014.

Ted began his career with Customs and Excise in 1991 as a summer intern at the GST Interim Processing Centre. Since then he has gone on to hold a number of senior positions at the CRA.

Ted holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Concordia University.

Valentina Fumagalli,
Director of Inclusive Recruitment
Public Service Commission

As the Director of Inclusive Recruitment at the Public Service Commission (PSC), Valentina is, among other things, responsible for providing advice on diversity hiring programs, and on services the PSC provides to the government.

Before joining the PSC in 2021, Valentina worked for 13 years at Public Services and Procurement Canada where she gained a variety of experiences: she was director of Official Languages, Diversity and Inclusion, Office’s Manager of the very first Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health within the public service, Chief of Staff to two Assistant Deputy Ministers and Manager of one of the largest translation units within the Translation Bureau.

She holds a bachelor of translation from the School of interpreters and translators in Milan, Italy, and a master’s degree in translation from l’Université Marc-Bloch de Strasbourg, France.

Valentina firmly believes that an organization’s success depends on the skill and commitment of a diverse and inclusive workforce.