Lifting as you Lead 2024 Graduation: A Celebration of Leadership at all Levels
Lifting as you Lead 2024 Graduation: A Celebration of Leadership at all Levels
On March 18, 2025, the Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO), Materiel Group, National Defence held the graduation ceremony for the 4th cohort of the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program (LLMC). LLMC is a one-of-a-kind, free group mentorship program that is breaking down barriers across the Federal Public Service and Defence Team to build inclusive leaders at all levels. The program sets itself apart through its collaborative approach, offering small group mentoring Circles for an immersive learning experience, Masterclass sessions to gain real leadership skills from subject matter experts, and ongoing opportunities to build a network of supportive mentors.
Celebrating the 1000+ graduates from the program’s largest cohort yet, LLMC’s 2024 Graduation Ceremony was co-hosted by Samantha Moonsammy, Department of National Defence, and Suzan Richards, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. It featured testimonials from members, final remarks from Masterclass teacher Fotini Iconomopoulos, and a keynote speech from the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet John Hannaford.
The Clerk’s Keynote Speech
After opening remarks and celebratory words from hosts Samantha and Suzan, Clerk John Hannaford spoke about the importance of strengthening our communities. He explained that the respectful and collegial networks fostered by LLMC are key to building stronger communities, which we will need to rely on in face of a changing geopolitical climate. The work we do to serve Canadians is not work that can be done alone, and as Clerk Hannaford emphasized, “we need to rely on each other” to rise to all the challenges that will face us.
Participant Testimonials
These sentiments echoed in the spoken and video testimonials from LLMC cohort 4 participants LCol Adam Emond, Adele Dacres, Dina Alansari, Lyrique Richards, Jean Gaultier, and Marcia Golding.
Each of these graduates shared how the LLMC program helped them find their voice, bounce back after a challenge, gain the confidence to pursue new opportunities, and be better leaders. Dina shared that the program gave her the tools she needed to successfully secure sponsorship, while Jean explained how LLMC gave him the confidence to provide a new management opportunity. Each of these perspectives demonstrated the power of people coming together and lifting each other up in the LLMC program.
Masterclass Wisdom
Masterclass teacher and professional negotiator Fotini Iconomopoulos returned to the LLMC stage for the graduation. She made clear that negotiation skills are self-advocacy skills—and practicing self-advocacy makes you better able to advocate for others. All these skills are necessary to being a great, inclusive leader, no matter your level.
What’s Next
Throughout the event, Samantha and Suzan also shared all exciting changes coming in LLMC’s 5th cohort, including more in-person events and new Masterclass teachers and discussion topics.