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Revision as of 11:13, 12 September 2025
| Landing Page | Career Boot Camp 2026 | Speed Mentoring | Archives |
Speed Mentoring
WHAT:
These 90-minute sessions of virtual, structured speed mentoring, will allow groups of 4-5 mentees to meet with one mentor for 20 minutes at a time (through Zoom breakout rooms). There will be three rounds of networking per session.
Resources
Sample Questions for Speed Mentoring Sessions
Mentee Speed Mentoring Instructions
Mentor Speed Mentoring Instructions
WHO:
All public servants are invited to be mentees.
WHEN:
- Session 1 (English): Tuesday, January 14 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST (FULL)
- Session 2 (French): Wednesday, January 15 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
- Session 3 (English): Wednesday, January 15 from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. EST (FULL)
- *NEW* Reverse Mentoring Session (Bilingual): Thursday, January 16 from 11:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. EST
WHERE:
Online, via Zoom.
MENTEE REGISTRATION:
- Session 1 (FULL)
- Session 2 (CLOSED)
- Session 3 (FULL)
- Reverse Mentoring Session (CLOSED)
Please note that this event will be using Zoom. As some departments have blocked Zoom, you may be required to use your personal device for this event.
MENTOR REGISTRATION (FULL):
Mentors:
Session 1
| John Medcof | Nihal Sherif | Richard Smith II | Lisa Smylie | Robyn Atkinson | |
| Rachelle Dean | Darryl Sato | Geneviève Charlebois | Sarah Benson | Guillaume Beaulac | Roger Sehra |
| Ryan Pascal | Julianna Mutch | Ari Slatkoff | Candice Mansour | Chris Wilson | Grace Chopty |
| Josee Rivest | Melissa Muduuli | Patricia-Anne Côté | Yumi Webster | Katie Moran | Shannon Chamberlain |
| Hayat Looye | Abdul Qureshi | Kimberly Pearson | Ross Franklin | Natale Dankotuwage | Genevieve Charlebois |
| Cara Vandale | Ifeoma Nneka OakfoEKE | Elisabeth Girgis | Amira Caro | Shannon Chamberlain | Sana Mahboob |
| Antonia Macris | Clôtilde Fascione | Anthony Nguyen | Sana Mahboob | Yumi Webster | Clôtilde Fascione |
| Kimberly Pearson |
Session 2
| Felicie Hassika | Sébastien Fleurant | Sebastien Renard | Colonel Sylvestre Bishop | Ari Slatkoff | Guillaume Quessy |
| Emilie Salinas | Laurentine Mouchingam Mefire Nguwuo Petuenju | Abdillahi Roble | Manuel Charette | Patricia-Anne Côté | Stella Mylonakis |
| Francois Maurice | Atsu Komlan | Demeena Kaur Seyan | Melissa Muduuli | Richard Smith II | Patrick Haché |
| Sebastien NSingi | Sarah Brickell | Rachelle Dean | Julianna Mutch | Natale Dankotuwage | Adriana Kovacs |
| Neil Rodriguez | Marc-Andre Lebel | Guillaume Beaulac | Genevieve Charlebois | Christine Lau | Genevieve Charlebois |
| Marc-Andre Lebel | Emilie Salinas |
| Christina Janzen | Rikdev Basu | Katie Van Den Berg Gunn | Jennifer MacPhee | Shannon Chamberlain | Nandini Srikantiah |
| Isa David | Jane Yang | Debbie Lagacé | Rhea King | Sarah Benson | Haden Thornhill-Howard |
| Amira Caro | Rochelle Burkowski | Robyn Atkinson | Melissa Muduuli | Michelle Kovacevic | Jennifer Tessier |
| Chris Wilson | Paul Gaskin | Natale Dankotuwage | Ari Slatkoff | Sarah Brickell | Colonel Sylvestre Bishop |
| Ryan Fisher | Delia Pop | Shannon Dubois | Laurentine Mouchingam Mefire Nguwuo Petuenju | Patrick Haché | Ryan Fisher |
| Arbinder Pal | Tina Karsakis | John Strickland | Sebastien NSingi | Stella Mylonakis | Katie Van Den Berg Gunn |
| Yuyuan (Robert) Chen | Anthony Nguyen | Robert Chen |
Mentor Biographies
| Name | Position | Department | Biography |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josée Rivest | Inspection Manager | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | Josée Rivest has been a federal public servant for approximately 21 years. She has held several management positions at the EX minus 01 level with the Correctional service of Canada in Human resources managing staffing, labor relations and recruitment portfolios. Since 2020, she has been working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as an Inspection Manager in operations in New-Brunswick and leads a team of 60 employees. Josée holds a master`s degree in Business Administration from l’Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB. She enjoys collaborating and working with others to solve issues and contribute to key government initiatives. |
| Christine Lau | Director of Service Policy and Performance in the Digital Policy Division | Treasury Board | Christine Lau is the director of Service Policy and Performance in the Digital Policy Division in the Office of the Chief Information Officer of Canada at the Treasury Board Secretariat.
|
| Robyn Atkinson | Director, Ministers’ Regional Offices | Privy Council Office | I am the Director of the Ministers’ Regional Offices at the Privy Council Office, leading a team geographically dispersed from coast to coast to coast. I started my public service career as a co-op student at Environment Canada, where I worked on national and international policy. I later joined Public Services and Procurement Canada, as the Manager of the Montreal Ministers Regional Office. I am a lifelong learner, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Environment and Development from McGill, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Public Administration and an advanced Professional and Personal Coaching Certificate from Concordia University. I am passionate about people and creating a high functioning work environment. I am always looking for opportunities that allow me to expand my knowledge and competency as a leader. Through coaching and mentoring, I hope to help employees, like you, get clarity about what they want and inspire them achieve their goals. |
| John Medcof | Lead Faculty | CSPS | John Medcof is Lead Faculty at the Canada School of Public Service. In this role he facilitates executive leadership programs and provides strategic advice and direction on executive learning and faculty recruitment. Prior to this role, John was Director General of Transferable Skills at the School.
|
| Rhea King | Director General, Science Programs | Ecosystems and Oceans Science, Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Rhea’s focus is finding and redefining balance as she seeks to balance work, family, volunteer activities, her daughters’ many sports and artistic performances, MS Teams meetings, travel, hiking, lunches on the run, along with the many other requests and unexpected moments that come her way.
|
| Ross Franklin | Acting Senior Environmental Advisor within the Materiel Group of the Department of National Defence. | Department of National Defence | He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2021, having served over 13 years as an Engineer Officer. He worked as a policy analyst at Environment and Climate Change Canada for just over two years before joining National Defence as a public servant in May 2023.
|
| Candice Mansour | Manager Community Development & Branch Engagement Team | Public Health Agency of Canada | Candice Mansour is a dedicated and compassionate professional with 15 years of experience at the Public Health Agency of Canada. Throughout her tenure, she has excelled in various roles within a business operations environment, and is currently the Acting Manager of the Community Development and Branch Engagement team.
Having started her career as an AS-02, Candice brings a well-rounded perspective to her work, enriched by her diverse experiences. Her journey has not only deepened her ability to see situations from multiple viewpoints but has also equipped her to mentor others in their own professional growth. Candice is passionate about leading people-focused initiatives, with a special focus on Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, mental health and wellness, psychological health and safety, professional development, and change management. Her passion extends beyond her professional life, as she cherishes her family, cats, and her work family, cultivating meaningful connections wherever she goes. |
| Roger Sehra | Assistant Warden Operations | CSC | Roger Sehra is employed with the Correctional Service of Canada within a medium Security Facility for male offenders. Roger has worked with CSC for the past 24 years starting as an entry level Correctional Officer and currently occupying the position of Assistant Warden Operations.
|
| Lisa Smylie (she/her) | Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy and Partnerships | Indigenous Services Canada and Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | In 2022, Lisa Smylie joined Indigenous Services Canada and Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada as Assistant Deputy Minister of Communications and Public Affairs and in November 2024, took on the role of Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Policy and Partnerships. Between 2017 and 2022, she contributed to the work of the federal government in advancing gender equality in Canada in several roles held at Women and Gender Equality Canada, including Director of Research and Evaluation; Director General of Communications and Public Affairs; Director General of Research, Results and Delivery; and acting Assistant Deputy Minister of Departmental Programs and Operations.
|
| Guillaume Beaulac | a/Director, Office of the Chief Client Experience Officer | Integrated Services Strategy and Operations (ISSO)
Service Canada / Government of Canada |
Guillaume Beaulac recently joined the Client Experience Office at Service Canada as the acting Director of the Client Feedback Center of Expertise and the Office for Client Satisfaction. Guillaume previously held roles either as a manager and/or a behavioural scientist at Shared Services Canada (Enterprise Transformation), Global Affairs Canada (Evaluation and Results, Security and Emergency Management), and at the Privy Council Office (Impact Canada).
He is deeply passionate about fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of his work, with a particular focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals. By championing diverse perspectives and inclusive practices, he aims to build more resilient, representative teams that reflect the unique strengths and talents in the country. |
| Stella Mylonakis | Manager, Human Resources Litigation Management Unit | Correctional Service of Canada | Drawing on her diverse experience within various ministries, such as Environment Canada, Social Development Canada, Service Canada, National Defence, Health Canada, and the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), at regional and national levels, Stella Mylonakis has acquired a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and the ability to adapt to various contexts. From operational roles to corporate functions, through planning, policies, corporate services, and program management, she has held various positions over the years. Currently, as the Manager of the Litigation Management Unit for the Human Resources Management Sector at CSC, she oversees civil claims, human rights complaints including mediations and conciliations, human rights complaints referred to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, workers' compensation claims referred to Tribunal, and class actions. Since 2007, she has had the privilege of leading teams and seeing them grow and succeed earning them national and international recognition. As a manager, she has had the opportunity to restructure teams, review operational processes, and establish new areas of activity, which has nurtured a management approach balancing results and individual/collective development. |
| Cara Vandale | Director General | Canada School of Public Service | Cara's roots go back to the Red River Métis as well as Franco-Manitoban and Welsh origins.
|
| Christina Janzen | Deputy Warden, Pacific Institution | Correctional Service Canada | Christina currently works for the Correctional Service of Canada as the acting Deputy Warden at Pacific Institution. Pacific Institution, otherwise known as PIRTC is a multi-level institution that holds the Regional Assessment and Reception centre, and the Regional Treatment centre (hospital) for federally incarcerated male offenders, in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
|
| Ari Slatkoff (he) | General Counsel, Office of the Legal Advisor to the Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces | Department of Justice | Ari Slatkoff is General Counsel with the Department of Justice Canada, in the Office of the Legal Advisor to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, where he provides legal advice and litigation support on a wide range of issues.
|
| Sébastien Renard | Manager, Adaptation and Resilience / Natural resources management Branch | Parks Canada | Sébastien is manager of Adaptation and Resilience team, in the Natural Resource Management Branch, at Parks Canada.
|
| Julianna Mutch | Policy Analyst | Canada Revenue Agency | Julianna Mutch is a Policy Analyst for the Sustainable Development Centre of Expertise in the Service, Innovation and Integration Branch of the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). She has also just completed a two-year term as National Chair of the CRA YPN, a professional development network, which is the longest-standing YPN in the Government of Canada (GC).
|
| Katie Moran | A/Manager, Targeted and Time Limited Programs | Pacific Economic Development Canada | Katie Moran is the Manager of the Targeted and Time Limited Programs Team at Pacific Economic Development Canada. She has 20 years of experience in the federal public service and worked in a variety of positions and departments including the CRA, Passport Canada, IRCC, and ECCC. Katie has extensive experience in Grants and Contributions where she has delivered programs for newcomers settling in Canada, accommodation funding for Indigenous groups, COVID relief funding for small and medium businesses and community infrastructure projects for municipalities. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner and her interests include mental health, career development, coaching and mentoring, and public service innovation.
|
| Jennifer Tessier | Senior HR Analyst | Canada Revenue Agency | Jennifer Tessier began her career in Human Resources (HR) at the Canada Revenue Agency in 2000. Over the next several years, she worked in various HR disciplines including; HR planning and corporate reporting, Resourcing, Competencies, Performance Management, Recognition and Workforce Adjustment. Since January 2020, she has been a Senior HR Analyst in the Leadership and Learning Directorate of the HR Branch and is responsible for coaching, mentoring and leadership development. She has a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan and a Diploma in Human Resources Management from the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Institute. In here spare time, she volunteers with a local car rescue and enjoys baking, reading, and relaxing.
|
| John Strickland | Member
Task Force on Strategic Initiatives |
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada | John Strickland is a board member of the Refugee Protection Division at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, where he presides over proceedings concerning refugee matters. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science, Public Admin and Political Science, from the University of Ottawa and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto.
He enjoys hiking during the fall, exploring restaurants and cafés, building Lego sets, playing video games, and learning obscure things on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gcjs/ |
| Delia Pop | Policy Team Lead and Program Support Officer | Directorate of Materiel Systems Plans & Requirements Directorate of Materiel Systems Plans & Requirements | Policy Team Lead and Program Support Officer in DMSPR/DGMSSC/ADM(Mat) as well as CEO and Co-Founder of Qdrix, a web-based platform and SAAS providing AI tools for IP.
|
| Nandini Srikantiah | Director General in the Commercial and Trade Branch | Canada Border Service Agency | Nandini Srikantiah began her career at Nortel Networks where she developed cutting-edge software and soon realized that, alongside the bits and bytes, it was really project management that fueled her. Her professional experience spans 30 years across public, private and academic sectors in Canada and internationally. She has extensive experience spearheading multi-billion dollar complex acquisition projects within DND for the Canadian Army, the Canadian Navy and within the Australian Defence Organization as an Exchange Officer. Ms. Srikantiah is a recognized fellow of the International Centre for Complex Project Management and launched the Telfer School of Management's innovative Masters Program specializing in Complex Project Leadership.
|
| Sarah Benson | Acting Team Leader, Integrity Services | Service Canada | Sarah Benson is a dedicated team leader with Integrity Services and comes to her role with over 15 years of multi unit management skills from the private sector. Sarah is passionate about career advancement and skill building for her team members. Sarah’s leadership style is characterized by a collaborative approach, fostering an environment where innovation and continuous learning thrive. Sarah’s dedication to empowering her team helps to foster an environment of mutual trust and respect. Sarah is especially passionate about empowering youth and has worked in various volunteer organizations such as Girl Guides of Canada and Make A Wish Canada to build relationships and provide mentorship to young women and girls. |
| Jane Yang | Case Manager Criminal Investigations Division | Canada Revenue Agency | Jane Yang is an experienced investigator currently working in the Criminal Investigations Division of Canada Revenue Agency as a Case Manager. Jane joined the CRA as an auditor in 2001. In addition to a deep background in criminal Investigation, Jane is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), bring a unique skill set to complex financial and forensic cases. Throughout her career, she has developed a strong track record of problem-solving, strategic analysis, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Passionate about mentoring, Jane is committed to guiding the next generation of professional in both the investigative and financial fields. |
| Isa David | Manager, Digital Talent Development, Office of the Chief Information Officer, | Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat | Isa David is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in digital government and corporate training. As a manager in Digital Talent Development at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, she is at the forefront of initiatives that shape the future of the federal public service’s digital workforce. Isa leads a team responsible for crafting and implementing the Government of Canada’s first Digital Talent Strategy, focusing on equipping public servants with the digital skills needed to enhance service delivery for all Canadians.
|
| Nihal Sherif | Senior Director in the Specific Claims Branch | Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | Nihal Sherif is Senior Director in the Specific Claims Branch at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC). She has previously held leadership positions at Employment and Social Development Canada as Executive Director of Policy Integration; Director of Cabinet Affairs; and, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Labour. She was also Director of Indigenous Policy at Natural Resources Canada and held various roles at the former Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
|
| Rikdev Basu | Procurement Specialist | Department of National Defence | My name is Rikdev, and I am currently employed at the Department of National Defence (DND), where I specialize in procurement. My academic background is rooted in engineering, with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's degree in Mechatronics.
|
| Sébastien Fleurant | Senior Director of Data Foundations, Culture and Guidance within the Chief Data Officer Branch | Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada | Sébastien Fleurant is the Senior Director of Data Foundations, Culture and Guidance within the Chief Data Officer Branch at Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). He is championing data governance, data quality, enterprise data architecture, information sharing, data literacy to ensure a strong data foundation on which data analysis can flourish in anticipation of a major platform modernization for the organisation. Sébastien has been with IRCC for over 15 years. He has worked in many areas including Privacy, service delivery and user experience.
|
| Michelle Kovacevic | Associate Deputy Minister | Indigenous Services Canada | Michelle Kovacevic was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada on January 22, 2024. Previously, she served as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Federal-Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch at the Department of Finance. In that role, she was 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.
|
| Natale Dankotuwage | Digital Transformation and Service Sector | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Natale Dankotuwage started her career with the Federal Government of Canada at ESDC’s Innovation Lab in 2016 to work on a youth minister mandated youth services initiative, where she worked closely in collaboration with PCO, Global Affairs and began collaborating with the Federal Youth Network. Natale went on to work at ESDC’s Strategy, Policy and Research branch and soon after the Public Affairs and Stakeholders branch. Natale would then be sent on assignment to Policy Horizon’s a federal foresight lab as a Communications Officer to launch the Canada Beyond 150 initiative which trained 90+ policy analysts in human design and innovative policy development methodologies.
|
| Arbinder Pal | Trade Commissioner | TCS Support Division | Arbinder Pal is a seasoned business development professional with over twenty years of experience specializing in international business growth and driving marketing & sales across Canada, India, and the USA. She has a diverse background, having worked in sectors such as aviation & aerospace, transport, supply chain, digital industries, infrastructure, education, and government affairs.
Arbinder holds a B. Com in Accounting from the University of Mumbai and an MBA in Aviation from Concordia University, Montreal. |
| Paul Gaskin | Director General of Planning, Operations and Information, Canadian Forest Service (CFS) | Natural Resources Canada | Paul Gaskin works in Ottawa as Director General of Planning, Operations and Information for the Canadian Forest Service (CFS), within Natural Resources Canada. He leads CFS activities related to planning, operations, forest knowledge and information management. Previously at Fisheries and Oceans Canada he held Director positions in Information Management, Strategic Policy, Governance, Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs, and Oceans Policy. In his career with the Federal Government he has worked at Transport Canada, the Privy Council Office and Global Affairs Canada. He has a MA in Political Science from the University of Ottawa, a MPA from the Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University in the Netherlands, and BAs in International Development and English Literature from the University of Guelph. Paul also recently completed a Certificate in Public Sector Leadership and Governance at the University of Ottawa. He is always ready to talk Public Administration. You can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaskinp/ and on Twitter @PaulGaskinCFS |
| Shannon Dubois | Senior Advisor, Planning, Results & Integration | Women and Gender Equality Canada | Shannon Dubois is currently a Senior Advisor with the Planning, Results, and Integration Branch at Women and Gender Equality. Over the past 20 years she has held various leadership roles at Statistics Canada, Health Canada, and the Department of National Defense. She has played active roles with Values & Ethics teams, Managers Networks, and Government of Canada staffing processes.
|
| Debbie Lagacé | Acting Director General
Project Delivery |
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada | Debbie Lagacé, Executive Director, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada
|
| Ryan Pascal | Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) | Ryan Pascal is the Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). In this role Ryan is a leader and change agent for work that he has had a lifelong passion for. Prior to this role Ryan was the Director of a Project Management Office that enabled passport modernization projects at IRCC. He started his career at Shared Services Canda (SSC) where he assumed roles of increasing responsibility in governance, and as a Senior Advisor to senior management. Ryan has significant public sector experience in client service, managing projects, developing strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, and providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior management.
|
| Jennifer MacPhee | Assistant Director | Public Service Commission | Jennifer MacPhee has been a federal public servant since 2005. She has worked in several different departments in human resources in different areas of specialization. She is a passional public servant who currently works in a role that plans and executes outreach and engagement with job seekers and employers to contribute to the building of the diverse and inclusive public service of the future. |
| Chris Wilson | Director, Governance and Corporate Strategies | Transport Canada | Chris is the Director of Governance and Corporate Strategies at Transport Canada and is responsible for executive correspondence, corporate governance and internal modernization initiatives that aim to alleviate administrative burden and break-down innovation silos within Transport Canada’s Executive Office.
|
| Rachelle Dean | Manager, Economic Security Policy
Foreign Investment Review and Economic Security Branch |
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | Rachelle has 26 years of experience in the federal government in a variety of roles and departments, including 17 years in policy - this means she knows a little about a lot of things. She has been with ISED since 2016. Rachelle joined the Foreign Investment Review and Economic Security Branch in February 2022, and her focus is economic security policy and what this means for ISED. In her free time, she is a voracious reader and is always ready with a book recommendation. |
| Ifeoma Nneka OakfoEKE | Munitions and Tactical Systems Procurement Directorate
Land and Aerospace Equipment Procurement and Support Sector |
PSPC | Ms. Ifeoma Nneka Okafo EKE who likes to be addressed as Néka, brings over 20 years of diverse industry experience to her role. Her career began as a Technician with an internet service provider in Nigeria shortly before earning her Bachelor of Engineering degree. She transitioned into consulting at PwC and later joined a business simulation company in Reston, Virginia, before immigrating to Canada with her family. Néka has since contributed her expertise to various public sector departments and agencies, where she remains dedicated to supporting the successful delivery of programs and projects.
Neka is currently in her 3rd year at PSPC and supports DND as her main client in the Munitions and Tactical Systems Procurement Directorate. She is also a part-time professor at Algonquin College where she had taught several courses in the degree and certificate programmes. She currently teaches Global Procurement Management Applications. Néka has post-graduate degrees from the Universities of Ottawa and Essex in Engineering Management and Telecommunications and Information Systems respectively and Undergraduate degrees from University of Nigeria and Algonquin College in Electronic Engineering and Commerce respectively.
|
| Patricia-Anne Côté | Senior Director, Settlement Agreement and Childhood Claims
Resolution & Partnerships |
Crown – Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada | Patricia-Anne Côté is currently Senior Director, Policy, Planning and Reporting, on issues related to missing children from residential schools (Calls to Action 72-76), with Crown Relations - Aboriginal Peoples and Northern Affairs Canada. She has held this position for over two years but has been with the department since fall 2018.
|
| Sarah Brickell | Data Management and Adoption, IM-IT, Corporate Services | Financial Consumer Agency of Canada | Sarah Brickell lives in Halifax, NS with her husband and four children. She currently leads the Data Management and Adoption Office at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. This month, Sarah celebrates her 22nd year as a public servant, with a diverse career that began on Parliament Hill in 2003. She has extensive experience in business operations and administrative investigations, having held various senior roles at the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner from 2007 to 2018. Sarah holds a Master of Arts in Political Economy and a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Law from Carleton University. In her spare time, she volunteers with several local and national non-profit organizations focused on community-building and moderates the GoC Parents group on Facebook.
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| Richard Smith II | Chief Information Officer | Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada |
|
| Amira Caro | Research Analyst/Indigenous Liaison Officer | Statistics Canada | Amira Caro specializes in Indigenous interests, public policy, program advising and research, with expertise in project management and community engagement. Her key strengths include relationship building, mentorship, research, and writing. She has experience in multi-stakeholder engagement related to SDGs, ESG, and the environment. Currently, she serves as Executive Vice Chair for the Visible Minority Consultative Group at Statistics Canada, focusing on member professional development and career advancement. Amira is a double alumni of Carleton University and has over 6 years of academic experience in communications and public policy. |
| Guillaume Quessy | Regional director - Client service | Public Services and Procurement Canada | Guillaume has over 15 years of experience as a manager at Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Department of National Defence, and in the private sector.
|
| Sebastien NSingi | Legal Counsel Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat | Department of Justice | |
| Patrick Haché | Regional Manager, Goods and Services
Procurement Directorate |
Public Services and Procurement Canada | Patrick Haché, is a graduate from the Université de Moncton where he obtained his undergrade in Psychology and a Master in Public Administration. Early in his career, he occupied the Fire Protection Officer and Accommodations Manager positions with Employment and Social Development Canada in Moncton. He has been the Regional Infrastructure and Environment Manager with Canada Border Services Agency in Halifax for five years. From March 2016 to February 2023, Patrick was the Assistant Director Corporate Services Operations for Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Atlantic Research Centre where is responsible for functions such as Procurement, Security, Material Management and Heath and Safety. With DRDC, in 2019, Patrick co-led a tiger team engaging with employees across the organization to optimize Procurement business processes. Since February 2023, Patrick is currently the Regional Manager Procurement with Public Service and Procurement Canada. Patrick is a certified Insights Discovery facilitator, with a team of eight facilitators, he led an initiative where team building workshops has been delivered to 75 teams across the organization and over 1100 employees received their personal profile. In 2018-2019 Patrick was a member of the School of Public Service Faculty member, he delivered the courses related to the Supervisor Management Program, the Manager Development Program and Coaching.
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| Manuel Charette | Director, IT Engineering | Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Manuel Charette is the Director of IT Engineering at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). With a solid background in cybersecurity and IT management, Manuel oversees the maintenance and engineering of 15,000 Windows and Linux workstations and IT infrastructure. He plays a key role in GC digital science as co-chair of the Digital Science Advisory Board and in designing the IT architecture for the Atlantic Science Enterprise Center, a future state-of-the-art multi-department and agency facility promoting collaborative science through innovative technology.
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| Laurentine Mouchingam Mefire Nguwuo Petuenju | Manager | Strategic Planning and Accountability | Visionary leader and gender and intersectionality subject matter expert with over 15 years of experience in governmental and international organizations, Dr. Laurentine currently holds the position of Deputy Director at the Department of National Defence. She is also a strategic advisor on gender and intersectionality, valuing the importance of African values. Within her department, she is an active member of the Defence Team Black Employees Network and significantly contribute to the well-being of Black civilian and military members, aiming to take meaningful actions to support the dismantling of anti-Black racism, build a vibrant community of Black employees, and amplify employment equity for Black individuals.
|
| Haden Thornhill-Howard | Manager, Equity, Learning and Development Division
Corporate Strategy and Management Field |
Statistics Canada- | Haden Thornhill-Howard is a Human Resources Manager at Statistics Canada.
|
| Colonel Sylvestre Bishop | National Military Co-chair Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group (DVMAG)
Director – Aerospace Equipment Program Management (Transport) |
Canadian Armed Forces | Col Bishop is originally from Montreal and enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 2005 as an aerospace engineer officer. After the AERE Officer Basic Course in CFB Borden, he was posted to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he held several junior officer positions at 435 (Transport & Rescue) Squadron, and at 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters (A4 Maint AM Stds, AM Eval, and A4 Maint TptSAR).
|
| Tina Karsakis | Canada Border Services Agency | With a career spanning over 30 years, I began as a student customs officer at Pearson International Airport during my university studies. Since then, I have steadily progressed through various roles within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), many of which have been in management.
| |
| Ryan Fisher | Complex SERS and CDA Officer
Business Returns |
Atlantic Tax Centre | I first started working with the Canada Revenue Agency as a student in the summer of 2021 as an Excise Tax Examiner in the Refund Integrity section of the Compliance Division. Upon finishing my studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, I was hired as a Complex Special Elections & Returns officer with the Business Returns Division in May of 2022. In September of 2023, I was fortunate to be able to work a two-month Micro-Mission for the Application Development Team with the local Program Services before the Atlantic Regional Alignment. In January of 2023 I joined the local PEI Young Professionals Network, became the co-chair in June of 2024, and subsequently joined the Atlantic Region YPN in August of 2024. Aside from the YPN, I am also an active member of the PEI Service and Innovation Influencers, as well as the president of the PEI French Toastmasters club.
|
| Katie Van Den Berg Gunn | Senior policy analyst | Canada School of Public Service | Katie Van Den Berg Gunn is a senior policy analyst with the surge team at the Canada School of Public Service. Launched in 2018, the surge team provides additional policy capacity to partner teams internally and within other federal departments; and was replicated based on the Treasury Board Secretariat surge team model where she worked for two years prior. Katie started her federal public service career in 2013 at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on a policy team focused on foreign credential recognition, newcomer settlement, and testing new approaches to inform the Settlement Program. Katie has a Bachelor of Arts with a Specialization in History, as well as a Masters of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Ottawa, for which she researched the barriers to newcomer labour market integration in Canada. |
| Shannon Chamberlain | Manager, Program Support
Records Management Branch |
Canadian Forces Base Ottawa-Gatineau (CFB O-G)
National Defence |
With over 15 years of experience in the Canadian public sector, I am a seasoned professional specializing in information management, with previous experience in security, and governance. I have developed a strong track record in strategic leadership, change management, and project administration, having led large teams and advised senior leadership on transformative programs across organizations like the Department of National Defence and Health Canada.
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| Genevieve Charlebois | Manager | Environment and Climate Change Canada | I studied Leisure Science and Globalization at Ottawa University and have been a human resources professional in the public service since 1999. Currently, I lead a team of HR professionals at ECCC, where we focus on performance management, talent management, and leadership development for equity-seeking groups. On the personal side, I’m proud to have raised three competitive sport kids, which has taught me a lot about dedication, resilience, and balancing priorities. |
| Antonia Macris | Manager of Corporate Learning in the HR Branch | Environment and Climate Change Canada | Antonia Macris is the Manager of Corporate Learning in the HR Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada, leading ECCC’s employee mandatory training, corporate priorities and departmental learning policies. She has an interdisciplinary background, having completed an MA in Educational Technology, MEnv in Environmental Assessment and Graduate Diploma in Public Relations and Communications Management, with past work experience in higher education institutions and with the UN Environment Programme.
LinkedIn page: Antonia Macris | LinkedIn |
| Sana Mahboob | Senior Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister (MB Region) | Prairies Economic Development Canada | Sana is a graduate from the University of Manitoba, and an enormous advocate for the communities she serves. She is a seasoned speaker across the globe – some of her most memorable engagements include being a panelist in the Clerk of the Privy Council’s National Symposium on Values and Ethics, moderating a Minister’s Roundtable, Deputy Minister’s All Staff, advising at hackathons and youth STEM events, and hosting multiple award shows. Over the years, Sana continues to serve in executive positions on local, national, and international Boards – ranging from philanthropy, sports, youth, and IT. Sana has been featured live on multiple media outlets, including a morning show in Pakistan, and CBC on International Women’s Day. Sana works for Prairies Economic Development Canada as a Senior Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister (MB Region) and brings a diverse perspective and passion to everything she does professionally, and personally. If transparent and truthful discussion/mentorship is your style, you are in for a treat with Sana. |
| Yumi Webster | Education and Awareness Advisor
Indigenous Affairs Branch |
Parks Canada | Yumi Webster is a federal public servant with over 15 years of experience in public engagement, Indigenous partnerships, and educational programming. Since April 2023, she has been the Education and Awareness Advisor in the Indigenous Affairs Branch at Parks Canada, where she leads a team focused on developing programs and events that strengthen cultural competencies and support collaboration with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
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| Marc-Andre Lebel | Assistant Director Revenue Collections Insights Licensed practitioner | Canada Revenue Agency | Marc-André began his career at the Agency in 1999 as a Collections Contact Officer. He has acquired in-depth knowledge of our organization and significant management experience through various positions of increasing responsibility, both for the Western Quebec Tax Service Office (WQTSO) and the National Verification and Collection Center (NVCC). Since 2021, he has been Assistant Director of the WQTSO's Revenue Collections Division. Marc-André has completed the Executive Leadership Development Program of the Canada School of Public Service as well as the Executive Leadership Program of the Institute on Governance. |
| Clôtilde Fascione | Clôtilde has over a decade of experience in the federal public service. A public health dietitian by training, she joined Health Canada and worked on various projects, including the revision of Canada’s Food Guide and the creation of Health Canada’s Data Strategy. More recently, Clôtilde has been part of Health Canada’s Office of the Chief Data Officer, where she led the development of Health Canada’s Data Inventory, the Reverse Data and Digital Mentorship Program, and assessed data literacy levels and training needs among Health Canada employees. Clôtilde joined the GCDC at the Canada School of Public Service in August 2024 where she is leading a team focused at enhancing the data capabilities of the GC to improve the lives of Canadians. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, traveling, and savoring delicious food with friends and family. | ||
| Kimberly Pearson | Ecosystem Scientist – Collaborative Conservation and Restoration
Waterton Lakes National Park |
Parks Canada | Kimberly Pearson is an Ecosystem Scientist at Waterton Lakes National Park, where she advances innovative work focused on supporting Indigenous-led and collaborative landscape-scale conservation efforts. Kim has also led grassland and species at risk conservation and restoration, and post-wildfire ecology initiatives with Parks Canada.
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| Robert Chen | Finance Data Analytics Team | Shared Services Canada | Robert works in the Finance Data Analytics Team at Shared Services Canada. His work focuses on leveraging new technologies such as Microsoft Power BI and M365 to create new applications and modernize business processes. Outside of his main portfolios, Robert is involved in the Power BI Community of Practice and the Network of Federal Asian Employees.
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| Emilie Salinas | National Research Council of Canada | Emilie Salinas is a seasoned leader at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), where she heads the New Beginnings Initiative. Creating partnerships with academia, industry, and government, she develops business opportunities and brings technology forward to find solutions to Canada’s most pressing challenges. She has Central Agency experience as a Technical Advisor at the Treasury Board Secretariat, Office of the Chief Information Officer (TBS-OCIO) leading the cloud migration technologies for Departments. In that capacity, she was designated as a subject expert matter for Data Residency offering insights and guidance at public events. She proactively volunteered to assist in revising COVID-19 product and service vendor applications. Through a collaborative effort involving multiple departments, including Public Services and Procurement Canada, TBS, and NRC, she demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation, efficiently qualifying Artificial Intelligence suppliers for the GoC.
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