Mentorship Resources/Speed Mentoring

French / français

Speed Mentoring (February 8th and 10th, 2021)

The speed mentoring portion of the CBC 2021 is aimed at connecting public servants of all levels (including students and young professionals) with departmental executives for networking and mentoring. This special series of events enables public service professionals (that’s you!) to virtually connect with and learn from the experiences of senior leaders.

WHAT:

Adapted from our flagship, in-person networking events, this year’s #CBC_CDC will see five, 90-minute sessions of virtual, structured networking. Groups of 5-6 young professionals will meet with one executive for 15 minutes at a time (through Zoom breakout rooms). There will be four rounds of networking per session.

This will be an opportunity for mentors to share their advice with and answer questions from mentees related to career development, work-life balance, and the inner workings of the Government of Canada. Mentees will be able to ask questions to and seek advice from mentors on the topics that matter most to them as they advance their careers. More information and instructions will follow post registration. #MentorGC

WHO:

All public servants are invited to be mentees.

WHEN:

• Session 1 (English): Monday, February 8, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. EST
• Session 2 (Bilingual): Monday, February 8, from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. EST
• Session 3 (French): Wednesday, February 10, from 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. EST
• Session 4 (English): Wednesday, February 10, from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. EST
• Session 5 (Bilingual): Wednesday, February 10, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. EST

WHERE:

Online, via Webcast (links above).

Mentors

Name	Position	Department & Branch	Biography	Speed Mentoring Sessions
Wendy Bullion-Winters	Head of Human Resources / Director General, Human Resources Management	Canada School of Public Service, Human Resources Management	Wendy Bullion-Winters is currently Director General and Head of Human Resources at the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS).  In 2019, Wendy was nominated the Beyond 2020 Departmental Champion, and she has been actively committed to envisioning how the public service can respond to the changing needs of Canada, and bring better value to the citizens it serves.  Prior to joining the CSPS, Wendy spent most of her career working in the foreign service at Global Affairs Canada, serving at several Canadian Embassies abroad.  Wendy’s last positing was as Consul General at the Embassy of Canada in Beirut from 2015-18.  Wendy has a strong background in public administration, international relations, security, emergency management, and consular affairs. She has received several accolades for her leadership including the 2016 Deputy Minister’s Award of Excellence for her role in the Government of Canada’s Operation Syrian Refugee.  Wendy is an alumni of Simon Fraser University and Harvard Kennedy School of Government.  She is married with two daughters, and is originally from Vancouver, BC.	Sessions 1, 3, 5
Arran McPherson	Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Oceans Science	Fisheries and Oceans Canada	Arran McPherson is the Assistant Deputy Minister of Ecosystems and Oceans Science at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), with responsibility for science programs to support regulatory decision making and policy development in Canada’s oceans and freshwater. She represents Canada in a number of international ocean science fora and prior to assuming this role, has held a variety of executive positions within DFO including in regional operations. Arran holds a BScH in Environmental Science from Queen’s University and a PhD in Oceanography from Dalhousie University.	Session 4
Kimberley Jessome	Director General, Investigations	Public Service Commission, Oversight and Investigations Sector	Kimberley Jessome has studied civil law at the University of Ottawa, as well as international constitutional law in Tunisia. After two government internships in legal services, she began working as a lawyer for Environment Canada in 2009, before joining Public Works, then the Public Service Commission in 2015. As a lawyer, Kim has had to analyze complex government challenges, to provide legal advice on sensitive topics, and to maintain partnerships with subject matter experts across disciplines. Those competencies have helped her make the switch from the legal field to become director of investigations at the Commission, then director general in 2018. Kim now oversees audit proceedings under the PSC’s authority, and is in charge of the analysis of suspected irregularities in staffing across the entire core public service. In addition to this impressive portfolio, Kim is also the champion of the Emerging Leaders Network, and the voice of the Network for upper management.	Session 3
Sarah Paquet	Director and Chief Executive Officer	Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC)	Sarah Paquet attended the University of Ottawa, earning her Civil Law degree in 1993 and her Common Law degree in 2001. Ms. Paquet started her federal public service career in the Department of Justice (DoJ) in 1997. She held various positions within DoJ including Health Canada Legal Services, before becoming Executive Director and General Counsel for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Executive Director and Senior General Counsel for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). In August 2011, she became Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of PSPC’s Integrated Services Branch.She played a key role in PSPC's Service Strategy, which helped ingrain client service excellence across the department. She was also responsible for enabling major Government of Canada IT-enabled business solutions.  In April 2017, Ms. Paquet became the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy Branch, at Shared Services Canada (SSC). She led the development of the Government of Canada renewed IT infrastructure transformation plan, resulting in new investments in SSC. In February 2018, Ms. Paquet was appointed the Executive Vice-President (EVP) at SSC. As the first EVP at SSC, Ms. Paquet is providing leadership to SSC as it modernizes the Government of Canada enterprise IT infrastructure, enabling digital services to Canadians. In November 2020, Ms. Paquet was appointed as the Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) making her the first lawyer to lead the organization. Ms. Paquet is also the Deputy Minister Champion for the University of Ottawa strengthening their relationship with the Government of Canada, focussing on student mental health and recruitment. She is a strong advocate for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).	Session 2
Aaron McCrorie	Associate Assistant Deputy Minister	Transport Canada, Safety and Security	Aaron McCrorie was appointed the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of Safety and Security in September 2018.  Prior to that he was the Director General of the Aviation Safety Regulatory Framework (Civil Aviation).  Over his career, he has led a number of regulatory programs in the areas of surface security, security for major special events, aviation security, and most recently, aviation safety.  Aaron has been at Transport Canada since 1999. Today, the scope of Aaron’s mandate includes regulating and overseeing regulations to ensure the safety and security of the aviation, marine, rail and road modes along with the transportation of dangerous goods. This includes establishing safety and security policies, regulations, and standards and the development of guidance, tools and instructions to help industry comply with regulations and for inspectors to oversee regulatory compliance. His mandate also includes incident response and the delivery of aircraft services. As Associate ADM, Aaron values soliciting the views of all stakeholders and encourages open, honest and respectful discussions on even the most difficult issues. He also promotes collaboration with all partners to develop innovative solutions to transportation safety and security challenges. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University, a Master of Arts degree from the University of Regina and started work on a PhD at York University. All degrees are in Political Science. Aaron lives in Ottawa, Ontario, and is married to Carmen Abela and the proud father of three children.	Sessions 1, 2, 5
Nathalie Bertrand	ADM Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer	Infrastructure Canada, Corporate Services	In her current role, Nathalie leads a team of over 175 employees in Human Resources, Finance and Information Technology. Prior to Infrastructure Canada, she worked at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) for 17 years and held various roles from accounts payable clerk up to DCFO. Nathalie strongly believes in fostering employee engagement and encouraging talent management. In the past, she has successfully implemented corporate-wide mentoring, job shadowing and redeployment exercises to encourage promotional and developmental assignments.	Session 4
Claude Corbin	Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Agency Comptroller	Canada Revenue Agency, Finance and Administration	Claude Corbin was appointed to the position of Deputy Assistant Commissioner and Agency Comptroller of the Finance and Administration Branch at the Canada Revenue Agency effective June 29, 2020. Claude joined the public service in 1993 at Transport Canada and, until 2011, occupied a variety of positions of increasing responsibility within the department’s Programs Group, including Director General of Airport and Port Programs. From 2011 to 2017, he worked for the Corporate Services Branch as the Director General of the Financial Planning and Resource Management section. In 2017, Claude joined Transport Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan task team as the Director General, Engagement and Policy Development. Finally, in late 2019, he joined Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in a corporate finance role as the Director General of the Financial Partnership Branch before starting yet again a new chapter of his career with the Canada Revenue Agency. Claude is a certified general accountant, chartered professional accountant since 1996.	Session 4
Jim Lothrop	Director General, Innovation Centre	Transport Canada, Programs	Jim Lothrop is an experienced leader in the Canadian federal government with over twenty-five years of experience in public administration. He is currently the Director General of the Innovation Centre at Transport Canada where he provides executive leadership in the development and implementation of a strategic framework, new innovative business practices, and a multi-million dollar/multi-modal research and development program to position Transport Canada as a leader in transportation innovation. Previously, Mr. Lothrop held a number of senior executive positions in Transport Canada, where he provided leadership on a wide range of national programs focused on greening of government activities, remediation of contaminated sites, environmental assessment for major transportation projects, highway and transit infrastructure funding programs, regulatory programs, and a variety of programs related evaluating and stimulating the introduction of next generation technologies to reduce emissions and improve efficiencies in the transportation system. Mr. Lothrop graduated from University of Ottawa with a degree in Civil Engineering and is licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario, is married and the proud father of two children.	Session 1
Sarah Lawley	Assistant Deputy Minister	Finance Canada, Consultations and Communications Branch		Session 1
Anick Ouellette	Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer	Global Affairs Canada, Corporate Planning, Finance and Information Technology	Anick Ouellette began her career as an accountant for a private accounting firm for four years, and subsequently was employed by Videotron (Laurentien) Ltée for a period of six years, initially as the Director of Finance and then as the Director of Client Services. Joining the federal public service in 2001 at the Department of Employment and Social Development Canada (formally known as Department of Human Resources Development Canada), Anick fulfilled various roles and responsibilities within the finance sector for five years. In 2006, Anick joined the Corporate Services Branch of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) – now with Global Affairs Canada, as the Director of Financial Policies. She led a team responsible for providing strategic advice and guidance to senior management in the areas of financial policies, controls and systems. Within the Chief Financial Officer Branch, her portfolio expanded in 2009 when she took on the joint role of Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO) and Director General of the Finance Operations Division, adding corporate accounting and financial risk management to her accountability. She worked in these various functions within CIDA until 2013. In April 2013, Anick became the Director General of Financial Operations and DCFO at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (formally known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada). She managed accounting operations, including corporate accounting, financial policies and controls, as well as financial systems. In September 2015, she joined the Canadian Institutes of Health Research as the Director General, Finance and Administration and DCFO. Her responsibilities included financial planning, procurement and financial operations as well as accommodation and materiel management. In April 2017, Anick started with Library and Archives Canada (LAC) as Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer (CFO).  Her responsibilities included finance and procurement, human resources and security, corporate planning and accountability, real property management as well as innovation and technologies. Anick led two major projects: a project to construct a new state-of-the-art preservation centre and renewal of the current centre providing optimum, efficient and long‑term preservation conditions while contributing to environmental strategies; and a collaboration project with the Ottawa Public Library and the City of Ottawa to build a modern joint facility at the heart of access services offered by modern libraries and archives. In August 2020 Anick assumed the role of Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Corporate Planning, Finance and Information Technology, at Global Affairs Canada (GAC). She contributed to the creation of the Finance Community Council in 2008, under the auspice of the DCFO Council, where she served as a member until 2010.  She was an active member of the DCFO Council from 2012 to 2017. She was also a member of board of the Centre communautaire juridique de l’Outaouais and a member of board of WaterAid Canada. Anick is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and alumna of the Université du Québec en Outaouais where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting Sciences in 1991. She is passionate about physical wellbeing, and she believes strongly in promoting a fit and healthy lifestyle amongst her colleagues and friends.  Anick currently resides in Gatineau with her husband and their two children.	Session 3
Kiran Hanspal	Assistant Deputy Minister of Human Resources	Public Services and Procurement Canada, Human Resources	Kiran Hanspal was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Human Resources Branch at PSPC on October 7, 2019. In this role, Kiran is responsible for promoting an agile, inclusive and client-focused culture through integrated talent management practices and workplace well-being, including strategic workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning and leadership development, mental health, awards and recognition, official languages, and diversity. Prior to this appointment, Kiran served as the Head of Human Resources at Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, from October 2016 to September 2019. At VAC, she advanced a digitized, tiered human resources service delivery model and piloted the pod approach to support HR-to-pay stabilization. Before her appointment as the Head of Human Resources at VAC, Kiran held senior positions in the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (including the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer), Natural Resources Canada and Health Canada, where she was responsible for human resources, planning, performance management and evaluation. She has also led the development of strategic and program regulatory initiatives, and her contributions include transforming policies, implementation excellence and fostering innovation. She is a recipient of the 2018 Michelle C. Comeau Award for her contribution to veteran hiring in the public service. Kiran graduated with a bachelor of science from the University of Toronto and a master of health administration from the University of Ottawa.	Session 1
Catrina Tapley	Deputy Minister	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, DMO	Ms. Catrina Tapley was appointed Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on August 19, 2019. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Operations), Privy Council Office. Before joining the Privy Council Office, Ms. Tapley was with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada from 2010-2016, serving as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister. for Strategic and Program Policy and as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister. She was responsible for leading Canada’s immigration and citizenship policy pertaining to the selection and admissibility of permanent and temporary residents and refugees, and helping all new comers integrate into Canadian society and the economy including through Canadian citizenship. In 2011, Ms. Tapley played a senior role in the creation and negotiation of the Beyond the Border Action Plan as a part of the very Beyond the Border Working Group. The Beyond the Border Action Plan is a Canada-United States agreement on economic competitiveness and perimeter security. Before joining Citizenship and Immigration, Ms. Tapley held numerous positions at the Treasury Board of Canada, Secretariat. It was during this time she played an integral role in the policy and legislative process for the development of the Federal Accountability Act.  As the Executive Director, Security and Justice Division, she was responsible for management and financial oversight of sixteen different federal departments and agencies in the Public Security and Justice portfolios.  Before 2006, Ms. Tapley held executive positions at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and at Fisheries and Oceans Canada.	Session 1
Philippe Thompson	Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer	Indigenous Services Canada, Results and Delivery Officer Sector	Mr. Philippe Thompson is the Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer at Indigenous Services Canada (ISC).  Prior to joining ISC, Philippe was the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management Sector at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).  He previously occupied different positions at the Canada Border Services Agency, Public Safety Canada, the Privy Council Office, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Public Works and Government Services. Mr. Thompson’s expertise is recognized nationally and internationally in the field of results-based management and he has extensive experience in leading major departmental projects and transformations.	Session 2
Gail Mitchell	Assistant Deputy Minister	Indigenous Services Canada, Strategic Policy and Partnerships	Since March 25, 2019, Gail Mitchell has been Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy and Partnerships (SPP) sector at Indigenous Services Canada. The SPP is responsible for the Department's strategic policy issues and will coordinate key policy work in all sectors. Previously, Gail was Director General of Intergovernmental Relations at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). In that role, Gail was responsible for providing strategic advice on key social policy issues, and she represented Canada at various international meetings, including the G7, the G20, the OECD and the United Nations, on issues related to labour and employment. Gail also co-chaired the Canada–Mexico Partnership Labour Mobility Working Group, and the European Union and Canada Bilateral Dialogue on Employment, Social Affairs and Decent Work. Gail led the engagement on the domestic and international implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Prior to joining ESDC in 2015, Gail spent over 20 years at Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada in a number of roles, including policy analyst, land claims negotiator, Director General of Community Infrastructure and Director General of Strategic Policy, Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs.	Session 2
Christiane Fox	Deputy Minister	Indigenous Services Canada	Christiane Fox was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services in September 2020. She is also the Deputy Minister Champion of the Federal Youth Network. Prior to her appointment, Christiane had been the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs since November 2019, and the Deputy Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth from June 2017 to November 2019. She also held several positions at the Privy Council Office, including Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations, Director of Operations, Policy, in the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Relations Secretariat, and Director General of Communications. Christiane started her career as a Communications Advisor at Industry Canada, now Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, where she worked in Communications, and in Science Policy. She also spent a year with the Competition Policy Review Secretariat, as the Director of Communications and Consultations. Christiane has a BA in Mass Communications and Psychology from Carleton University, and is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Masters Certificate Program in Public Administration.	Session 2
Caroline Xavier	Associate Deputy Minister	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Deputy Minister Office	Caroline Xavier was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in February 2020. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Xavier held the position of Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence at the Privy Council Office, as of June 2017. Between 2007 and 2017, she has also occupied numerous key positions within the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), including Vice-President and Associate Vice-President of the Operations Branch. Before joining the CBSA, she held executive positions with the Communications Security Establishment Canada, Industry Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency. Ms. Xavier has been with the public service for over 30 years. Caroline is a graduate of the University of Ottawa (Bachelor’s Degree in Administration, concentration in marketing and informatics) and of the Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia (Executive Master’s degree in Electronic Commerce).	Session 1
Kathleen Mitchell	Director General	Statistics Canada, Finance, Planning and Procurement Branch, Corporate Services	Kathleen Mitchell is the Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Statistics Canada since April 2018.  Kathleen began her career at Statistics Canada in 1998 as a student and took on various functions within the Finance Branch, including 8 years as an executive. Kathleen accepted the Director, Resource Management positon at the Department of Justice in December 2016 before returning to Statistics Canada as the Director General.  Kathleen has a keen interest in leading teams and all aspects of human resources.  She also has a busy family and appreciates time to read.	Session 2
Michael Mills	Associate Assistant Deputy Minister	Public Services and Procurement Canada, Procurement	Michael Mills was appointed Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (AADM) of Procurement Branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in April 2020. In his role, Michael leads the Branch’s logistics and COVID-19 response teams. He is responsible for the procurement and delivery of Personal Protective Equipment and Testing supplies for front line and essential workers and procures testing supplies to support Canada’s testing strategy. From 2017 to 2020, Michael was the AADM for Real Property Services (PSPC) where he was responsible for providing senior leadership to Real Property Services’ operations, including project management; facilities management; real estate services; strategic sourcing; and infrastructure asset management. He focused on providing excellent client service and using operations to support key government objectives, in particular, greening government operations, modernizing the public service, improving accessibility and advancing Indigenous reconciliation. Michael has worked for a federal Crown corporation called Public-Private Partnerships Canada, previously known as P3 Canada, where he was Vice-President of Investments. Michael and his team assisted clients from all levels of government to structure public-private partnership transactions and to implement successful P3 procurement strategies. Prior to working at P3 Canada, Michael held various positions with Crown-Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Department of Finance Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Michael holds a bachelor of arts in political science and economics from the University of Regina and a master of arts in economics from Queen’s University.	Sessions 1, 4
Arun Thangaraj	Associate Deputy Minister	Transport Canada, Associate Deputy Minister’s Office and Deputy Minister’s Office	Arun Thangaraj was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Transport on July 6, 2020. With over 20 years in the federal government, Arun has considerable experience in information technology, corporate planning, and finance and management. Before joining 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 (IM/IT). In 2011, he was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer at the former Canadian International Development Agency. He also brings experience and knowledge on transportation issues, from his time at the Canadian Transportation Agency from 2002 to 2011. 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 Finance and Operations Committee of the Global Fund, and is a member of the Public Sector Pension Advisory Committee. He is also a sessional lecturer in the School of Public Administration at Carleton University 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 BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto.	Session 1
Isabell Mondou	Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 response (Communications)	Privy Council Office	On April 16, 2020, Isabelle Mondou became the Deputy Minister for the COVID-19 response (Communications) within the Privy Council Office, focusing on ensuring a coordinated and coherent approach to conveying Canada’s response to the COVID-19 virus to Canadians. Prior to that, Isabelle Mondou was the Associate Deputy Minister of the Department of Canadian Heritage since October 2018. Isabelle joined Canada’s public service an employee of the Department of Revenue. She has held a wide range of positions, including in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Machinery of Government and Senior Personnel sections at the Privy Council Office. In 2016, Isabelle was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Priorities and Planning) at the Privy Council Office. Prior to that, she was legal counsel to the Clerk of the Privy Council and Assistant Secretary (Democratic Reform). Isabelle has a Bachelor of Law degree (1989) and a Master of Law degree (1994) from the Université de Montréal. She was called to the Barreau du Québec in 1990. She practised law in the private sector, with a focus on administrative, environmental and municipal law.	Session 3
Tina Green	Assistant Secretary	Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Regulatory Affairs Sector	Tina Green was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Regulatory Affairs Sector, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in April 2019. Previously she was the Assistant Deputy Minister of Health Canada's Regulatory Operations and Regions Branch. Tina began her career as an analytical chemist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. She subsequently held positions in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, the Privy Council Office, and Indigenous Affairs and Northern Development Canada. Tina joined Health Canada in 2009 as Director of the Risk Management Bureau in the Safe Environments Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB). In 2012, she became Director General of HECSB’s Consumer Product Safety Directorate. In February 2016, Tina assumed the role of the Special Advisor to the ADM of the newly established Regulatory Operations and Regions Branch, assisting with the Branch’s transition to full operating capacity. In October 2016, she acted as the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, until she joined RORB in March of this year. Tina holds an M.Sc. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Waterloo, and a B‎.Sc. in Science from the University of New Brunswick.	Session 4
Holly Flowers Code	Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Corporate Services Sector	Ms. Holly Flowers Code has a Bachelor of Commerce Honours with a double major in Human Resources and Accounting, and a minor in Economics. She has also completed her Master’s Certificate in Public Management and the Queen’s Executive Program for Execution, Strategy and Leadership.  She was recently awarded the Michelle C. Comeau Human Resources Leadership Award for Head of Human Resources (HR) in the Government of Canada. Holly joined the federal government in 1991 with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC). During her 16 years at CSC, she advanced a number of key HR transformation projects.  Outside of HR, she conducted program evaluations and audits in the 50+ federal institutions across the country.  She also stepped into the mandate working in inmate grievances and convening boards of investigations into murders and hostage-takings that occur in Canadian prisons. Holly moved to the Department of National Defence in 2007 where she led the development of a Succession Planning Framework, Community Management Framework, and a Civilian Talent Management Program.   She managed the development of leaders through corporate and departmental Leadership Development Programs, an Executive Orientation Program and Executive Group Services for the department. Holly also worked at Natural Resources Canada leading the HR operations team and the House of Commons designing and delivering curriculum for a Competency-based Management program. Since September 2015, Holly has been the Chief Human Resources Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Holly is the departmental Champion for Professional Development Network, and she is a member of the Executive of the Human Resources Council.  Most recently, Holly has been acting as the ADM, Corporate Services Sector since April 27.	Session 4
Jason Charron	Director General, Compliance Programs	Canada Revenue Agency, Scientific Research and Experimental Development Directorate	Jason joined the federal public service in 2002 having previously worked in several innovation sectors. Since then he has held various positions at the National Research Council of Canada, leading numerous partnership initiatives with the private sector. As Executive Director of the National Office of the Industrial Research Assistance Program, he led programs that helped firms focused on innovation grow their business. Jason also led the Enterprise Program Management Office at the Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada in support of the organization’s leadership role in transforming the Government of Canada’s back office. Since May 2018, Jason leads the Canada Revenue Agency’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development and the Film and media tax credits programs. A Certified Professional Accountant by designation, Jason received his Bachelor of Commerce (honours) in International Management and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa.	Sessions 3, 5
Mala Khanna	Assistant Deputy Minister, Sub-Saharan Africa Branch	Global Affairs Canada, Sub-Saharan Africa	Mala Khanna is the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Sub-Saharan Africa Branch at Global Affairs Canada. Mala was previously the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Legislation and House Planning at the Privy Council Office (PCO). Prior to joining PCO, Mala worked at the Department of Justice as Deputy Assistant Deputy Minister for the Public Law and Legislative Services Sector. Mala also occupied various other positions in the Department of Justice, including as Director and General Counsel of the Centre for Information and Privacy Law Section, Deputy Director of the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Section and as Counsel at the Human Rights Law Section. Mala graduated from McGill University with a joint Bachelor of Law / Masters of Social Work degree. She also has a degree in History from the University of Alberta.	Session 5
Carol Najm	Assistant Deputy Minister	Environment and Climate Change Canada, Coporate Services and Finance Branch	In May 2011, Carol Najm was appointed the Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Finance Branch. Following the department’s merge between Corporate Services Branch and Finance Branch, May 30, 2016, Ms. Najm was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer of Corporate Services and Finance. Ms. Najm joined Environment Canada in November 2008, as Chief Audit Executive and Director General, Audit and Evaluation. Ms. Najm’s career began in the private sector, where she worked in a public accounting firm in Ottawa and obtained her Chartered Accountant designation. She then joined the Canadian Red Cross Society and later went on to work with Canadian Blood Services, where she was instrumental in the implementation of two major information technology projects involving the renewal of the enterprise-wide financial and human resources systems. Ms. Najm holds an Honours Degree in Commerce with a major in Finance, as well as a Bachelor of Administration, both from the University of Ottawa. She also holds certification designations as an information security manager and an information systems auditor.	Session 1
Chris Henderson	Deputy Commissioner of Operations	Fisheries and Oceans, Coast Guard	Mr. Chris Henderson is an accomplished senior executive with more than 30 years of national and international experience in national security and public safety. He returned to the Canadian Coast Guard on January 6, 2020 as Deputy Commissioner, Operations. Deputy Commissioner Henderson originally joined the Canadian Coast Guard as Director General, National Strategies in May 2016. Since 2017, he served as the Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Affairs at the Department of National Defence. Prior to 2016, Deputy Commissioner Henderson was the Director General, Strategic Communications, Privy Council Office where he was responsible for the coordination of all Government of Canada public communications. From 2009-2014, Deputy Commissioner Henderson held a number of Director General positions within Canada Border Services Agency. Prior to joining the public service, Mr. Henderson had a distinguished career with the Royal Canadian Navy.	Sessions 1, 2, 3, 4
Helen Ryan	Associate Assistant Deputy Minister	Environment and Climate Change Canada, Environmental Protection Branch	Helen Ryan is the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch within Environment and Climate Change Canada. She is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the Department’s clean air regulatory agenda, GHG regulations, environmental emergencies, contaminated sites and disposal at sea, waste disposal and management, as well as the plastics agenda. Prior to Helen’s appointment in September 2018, she was the Director General of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Energy and Transportation Directorate heading the development and implementation of regulations and standards to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation, oil and gas, and electricity sectors. She has over thirty years of experience in the public service at the federal, provincial and municipal levels, including 17 years as a federal executive in ECCC and Health Canada. Helen and her partner have five children. She is an avid cyclist, cross-country skier and enjoys time spent in the outdoors.	Session 2
Isabelle Daoust	Director General	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Case Management Branch (OPS Sector)	Ms. Daoust has over 20 years’ experience in law, policy, management, and international and public affairs. Ms. Daoust was recently Senior Policy Advisor to the Minister of National Defence. She has devoted a substantial part of her career to the humanitarian and community sectors, having worked for the Red Cross in various contexts. She worked as a legal adviser with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, and was deployed to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Ms. Daoust also worked for the American and Canadian Red Cross in leadership positions. Prior to joining the Red Cross, Ms. Daoust worked as an attorney at the law firm of Heenan Blaikie in Montreal. Ms Daoust has extensive community involvement with organizations such as the New Edinburgh Community & Arts Centre in Ottawa, the Centre social d'aide aux immigrants in Montréal and the Canadian Council on International Law. Ms Daoust was a member and Vice-Chair of Hôpital Montfort’s Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2017. Ms. Daoust has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1997. She holds a Business degree from l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales and two law degrees (in civil and common law) from McGill University. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and two children.	Sessions 1, 2
Simon Cardinal	Director General / Chief Privacy Officer	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Integrated Corporate Business	Over the course of his career, Simon Cardinal has held a variety of corporate, policy and operational functions, both at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. As the Director General of Integrated Corporate Business, Simon provides effective coordination, oversight and strategic support on matters related to Corporate Governance, Parliamentary Affairs, Ministerial Enquiries, Briefings, and Proactive Disclosure. In previous capacities, he ensured the operational achievement of IRCC’s 2016, 2017 and 2018 Immigration Levels Plan, and provided strategic operational advice and data analysis on key departmental files, such as Express Entry and Operation Syrian Refugees. Simon has extensive experience in developing partnerships with stakeholders and providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior management. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Ottawa.	Session 4
Susan Chambers	Assistant Commissioner, Atlantic Region	Canada Revenue Agency	Susan Chambers was appointed to the role of Regional Assistant Commissioner of the Atlantic Region in January 2019. She also holds the CRA Respectful Workplace and Well-being Champion role where she sees the energy and care that Ex’s and Managers are taking with employee well being. Prior to joining the Agency, she was the Director General of Transformation in the Chief Transformation Office at the Canada Border Services Agency. Originally from England and raised in BC, Susan has held roles in various locations. She served as the Director of Professional Services for Public Services and Procurement Canada Pacific Region, Director General of Real Property Programs and Portfolio Management at the Department of National Defense, and completed assignments for the Privy Council Office and the Federal Development Agency of Southern Ontario. Susan’s early career allowed her to work in Halifax, for the Province of British Columbia, and the City of Campbell River. Her years of public service have provided her an understanding of First Nations, Federal, Provincial and Municipal relations. After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from the Royal Military College of Canada, Susan completed a Master’s of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University, and a Master’s of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. From a young age, Susan has had a vested interest in women pursuing non-traditional career choices. As an Engineering graduate, and professional engineer in two provinces, Susan is a strong advocate for the advancement of women in fields such as science and mathematics. One of her most significant files was the transfer and land agreement for the Jericho Lands in Vancouver to the Musquem, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, and she strongly believes in the outreach that the Agency does to improve lives in First Nations in Atlantic and across Canada. In her free time, Susan enjoys swimming, cycling and running. She is always on the hunt for open water swim spots and has explored rail trails throughout Nova Scotia.	Session 4
Tom Roberts	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	Canada School of Public Service, Business Enablement and Assurance Services Branch (BEASB)	Tom Roberts is Vice-President of Business Enablement and Assurance Services Branch (BEASB) and Chief Financial Officer. The Business Enablement and Assurance Services Branch delivers a full suite of seamless and integrated solutions to internal clients in the areas of finance, security, accommodations, information management and technology, and registrar services. Tom previously held the position of Special Advisor to the President where he contributed to the modernization and digitization of Corporate Services. Tom joins the School from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where he held the position of Director General, Budget Planning and Financial Management. He led a decentralised team of over 120 employees in delivering sound financial management and initiated improvements to the financial management function. Throughout his years of service, Tom has held different executive positions at Infrastructure Canada and at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TSB). In these positions, his focused was on internal services, public reporting, effective program design, and proper stewardship of government resources.	Sessions 1, 4
Leslie Toope	Change Management Director	Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Settlement Network	Came into the PS through post-secondary recruitment. Did two postings abroad as an Immigration Foreign Service Officer interviewing applicants for temporary and permanent status in Canada. Then gravitated towards assignments focused on people management, learning, and organizational development. Took a mid-career break to go back to school. Returned to IRCC and worked in the Operations Sector, Policy Sector, Corporate Sector and now the Settlement and Integration Sector. Led many change projects over the years involving new technology, new business processes, new org structures, and organizational capacity building.	Session 1
Nicole Bouchard-Steeves	Associate Vice President, Operations	Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Operations	Nicole Bouchard-Steeves is currently the Associate Vice-President (AVP) of the Operations Branch for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science, with a specialization in Biochemistry and a certificate in Food Science from Laval University. Nicole began her career as a public servant in 1988 with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and subsequently joined the CFIA upon its creation in 1997. Her career began as an Inspection Officer and has remained largely focussed on the core delivery of the CFIA’s operational mandate. She has held various positions throughout her career, including Director General for the Atlantic Area and Executive Director of the Operations Modernization Project Office. Nicole’s current position as the AVP targets Nicole’s strengths – keen understanding of CFIA’s business and building relationships with internal and external partners.	Session 1
Andrew Goldstein	Director General Human Resources	Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Corporate Management Branch	Andrew Goldstein is currently Director General, Human Resources at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC), where he is responsible for leading all aspects of the human resources function for the department. Prior to this, Andrew has held a number of economic analysis and policy development positions at AAFC. Andrew began his career in the federal government as an economist at the Department of Finance and then the Privy Council Office. Andrew has a B.A. and M.A. in economics both from the University of Western Ontario.	Session 1
Neil O'Rourke	Assistant Commissioner	Canadian Coast Guard, Arctic Region	Neil O’Rourke was appointed Assistant Commissioner, Arctic Region, Canadian Coast Guard in October 2018. As the Assistant Commissioner for the newly-formed Arctic Region, Neil will enhance program and service delivery in the North to better meet the needs of those communities. He will ensure that Northerners have a greater say in the Department’s decisions and opportunities, and will honour the Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. Neil will also build partnerships, co-develop priorities and support the voice of Northerners. Neil has a decade of experience working with the Canadian Coast Guard. He previously served as Senior Director, Safe Shipping and Economic Intelligence and was responsible for the development of national strategies to sustain and transform Coast Guard’s marine navigation programs, including: Aids to Navigation, Marine Communications and Traffic Services, Waterways Management, and Icebreaking and Ice Information Services. Neil was also the national lead for Arctic program policy, user fees, the implementation of e-Navigation in Canadian waters, and served as councillor with the International Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authority (IALA) on behalf of Canada. He previously worked as the Director, Integrated Logistic Support and Director, Organizational Restructuring for Coast Guard. Over the course of his career, Neil has worked closely with Coast Guard operations, technical services, training (Canadian Coast Guard College), other Government of Canada departments, and external stakeholders (i.e. industry, communities, national and international organizations) to identify service requirements, leverage technological and operational innovations, and competently drive decisions for cost-effective, modern and domestically/internationally aligned marine navigation services. He has also led several corporate initiatives including the consolidation of five Coast Guard regions into three, and co-led the Departmental Comprehensive Review. Before joining Coast Guard, Neil gained significant private sector experience as a former management consultant and executive in the energy sector; specifically, with Petro-Canada Fuels. Neil holds degrees from two Canadian universities: a Bachelor of Commerce from Carleton University (2002), and a Master of Business Administration—International Business from the University of Ottawa (2003). Originally from Aylmer, Quebec, he currently resides with his family in Yellowknife, NT.	Session 4
Pierre Bilodeau	Executive Director	Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Science	In his current position, Dr. Bilodeau is responsible for plant health science leadership in protecting Canada's plant resource base. His Directorate provides a valued source of scientific knowledge, analysis, risk assessment, and advice for stakeholders to support policy making, program design and program delivery. Dr. Bilodeau has 20 years of experience in managing S&T partnerships, program delivery, and R&D activities. He previously served in various senior management positions including Chief Operating Officer at International S&T Partnership Canada, an Ottawa-based national not-for-profit organization, Director in Research Partnerships and Research Grants & Scholarships directorates at the Natural Sciences an Engineering Research Council (NSERC) a federal granting agency, and prototype/research manager at Medicago Inc, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. Pierre was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to attend the Australian National University for his PhD (1997) in plant sciences. He holds a bachelor degree (1990) and a Master’s degree (1992) in biochemistry from Université Laval in Quebec City.	Session 2
Sylvain Beauchamp	Director, Client Support Guidance and Solutions	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Client Experience Branch, Operations Sector	Sylvain Beauchamp was appointed Director for the Client Support Guidance and Solutions Division of the Operations Sector with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in August 2019. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Beauchamp spent 15 years of his public service career at the department of Employment and Social Development Canada diversifying his experience by accepting challenges to work in various areas including policy (Employment Insurance), programs (integrity) and enabling functions (human resources and information technology). Prior to this, he spent the early part of his career working in his field of study which is geospatial analysis … if you’re asking how this field relates to the rest of the bio provided above, then please join him in his Speed Mentoring Session!	Session 4
Alison O'Leary	Assistant Deputy Minister	Infrastructure Canada, Program Operations	Alison has been with Infrastructure Canada since 2019. She leads the delivery of infrastructure programming, including responsibility for delivering the $33 billion Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), and supporting infrastructure projects across the country in collaboration with provinces, territories, municipalities and other stakeholders. She also oversees the department’s delivery of community-based programming through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF), the Smart Cities Challenge, the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, as well as programs administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). In addition, she oversees the department’s Centre for Rural Economic Development, helping to champion economic opportunity and quality of life in rural communities across Canada.	Session 4
Stan Lee	Vice-President, Oversight and Investigations	Public Service Commission, Oversight and Investigations Sector	Mr. Stan Lee is originally from Edmundston New-Brunswick. He moved to Ottawa in 1994 to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University where he earned a PhD in Experimental Psychology. Mr. Lee began his public service career as a psychologist at the Personnel Psychology Centre in 1998 and has since occupied a number of positions in policy, research, operations, internal services and oversight. In 2006, he was appointed Director General of the Personnel Psychology Center. He was appointed Vice-President of the Oversight and Investigations Sector of the Public Service Commission of Canada in July 2016. More recently, Mr. Lee also completed graduate studies in Public Policy and Governance at the University of Ottawa.