Federal Youth Network/Career Boot Camp/CBC Speed Mentoring 2025

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Career Boot Camp 2025

Speed Mentoring

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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

Mentee Backgrounds

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 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EST

WHERE:

Online, via Zoom.

MENTEE REGISTRATION:

• Session 1  (FULL)

• Session 2
• Session 3
• Reverse Mentoring Session

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):

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8uh8clanLkGkxpUgStaNhCCcVNGyfzRBmNtHhSzrH_lUOTBWTzdPMzZHS1hONUc2UUlZT1RVUVVYWi4u

Mentors:

Session 1

Josée Rivest	John Medcof	Robyn Atkinson	Ross Franklin	Candice Mansour	Roger Sehra
Lisa Smylie	Guillaume Beaulac	Ari Slatkoff	Cara Vandale	Julianna Mutch	Katie Moran
Melissa Fairey	Sarah Benson	Nihal Sherif	Natale Dankotuwage	Ryan Pascal	Chris Wilson
Rachelle Dean	Ifeoma Nneka OakfoEKE	Patricia-Anne Côté	Richard Smith II	Amira Caro

Session 2

Atsu Komlan	Guillaume Beaulac	Sébastien Renard	Julianna Mutch		Stella Mylonakis
Sébastien Fleurant	Félicie Hassika	Neil Rodriguez	Natale Dankotuwage	Rachelle Dean	Patricia-Anne Côté
Sarah Brickell	Richard Smith II	Guillaume Quessy	Sebastien NSingi

Session 3

Robyn Atkinson	Rhea King	Ari Slatkoff	Christina Janzen	Stella Mylonakis	Jennifer Tessier
John Strickland	Delia Pop	Nandini Srikantiah	Sarah Benson	Jane Yang	Rikdev Basu
Michelle Kovacevic	Natale Dankotuwage	Arbinder Pal	Paul Gaskin	Shannon Dubois	Debbie Lagacé
Jennifer MacPhee	Chris Wilson	Sarah Brickell	Amira Caro	Sebastien NSingi

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. She leads the oversight and performance measurement for the Policy on Service and Digital ( https://www.tbs-sct.canada.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32603 ). Christine and her team work towards leveraging data to support service delivery improvement by providing a clearer view of program and service health and identifying the areas requiring investment. Christine is an experienced public servant who worked in multiple departments in areas of program evaluation, performance measurement, compliance management, projects, and IT/IM portfolio management.
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. In addition to his experience in learning design and delivery, John has extensive experience developing policies and programs, and working in a central agency. Before joining the School, John was the Executive Director of Strategic Policy at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. He joined the Government of Canada in 2004 after a career in business in the private sector. John is passionate about promoting human-centered leadership at all levels, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion in the public service. He works from Ottawa but is an advocate for distributed teams and regional perspectives.
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. She has worked for Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the last 20 years, where she has fulfilled a number of executive roles at the regional- and national-level across all sectors. Rhea is currently serving as the Director General of Science Programs in the National Capital Region. For Rhea, the people that she works to support, serve, and inspire every day are her priority. Over the years, she has been a workplace advocate for many people-focused initiatives, including: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility, mental health and wellness, psychological health and safety, professional development, as well as change management and transition. She currently serves as a Champion for Indigenous Reconciliation. Rhea was honoured to serve as the Volunteer Services Planning Chair for the North American Indigenous Games 2023, hosted in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia). Rhea’s passion has always been her family and community. Her work as a public servant is an extension of that passion. It exemplifies her belief that what happens now will pave the way for future public servants and people all across Canada.
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. Fortunate to have received top-notch mentoring early in his career, he has mentored Afghan National Army soldiers on basic combat engineering and Canadian public servants on leadership and career skills.  He is grateful to join the mentoring cadre of the Federal Youth Network.
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. For Candice, leadership is defined by kindness. She believes in creating an environment where colleagues feel supported, inspired, and valued. She lives by the principle that recognition begins with a simple "Hello" and makes it her mission to foster a culture of appreciation and connection. 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. Roger has 24 years of operational experience in a correctional environment. Roger has worked at medium, minimum, and a maximum security institutions and has been involved in front line operations, supervision, management, and special teams such as the Emergency Response Team. Roger has expressed much interest in ensuring work life balance is maintained for him and his staff as the work environment can be all consuming if left unchecked. Finding balance to engage with family and foster a positive and rewarding work environment can be a challenge.
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. Lisa spent over 10 years at the Public Health Agency of Canada in Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, where she held various roles providing strategic leadership in the areas of governance, performance measurement, strategic planning, corporate reporting, knowledge mobilization, public awareness, grants and contributions programs, strategic policy and program policy. During that time, Lisa also supported Canada’s domestic and international public health response to various outbreaks, including H1N1 and Ebola. Lisa joined the public service following a six-year career as Research Associate and Professor at the University of Windsor. She earned a PhD in Sociology and Social Justice, with specialization in various gender equality issues, including sexual and reproductive health and 2SLGBTQI+ issues.
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 leverages his expertise in applied behavioural science, in change management, and in innovation in the public sector to drive impactful, evidence-based improvements across government programs and policies. With a strong foundation in research, he seeks out new ways to deliver better outcomes for the population of Canada, blending data-driven strategies with creative problem-solving. 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. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbeaulac/
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. She became an executive in 2016 and currently serves as the Director General of Indigenous Learning at the Canada School of Public Service. Her work involves the creation of learning products on Indigenous history, cultures and realities and largely relies on the ability to foster and maintain partnerships.
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. Christina has over 20 years combined experience working in Corrections – 5 of which working as a Probation Officer for Provincial Community Corrections, and 15 years has been spent working for CSC, in a variety of different interventions role, including Assistant Warden, Interventions, Operations and rotating through a Deputy Warden role for the last 3 years. Christina has worked at 5 different Institutions within the Pacific Region, including a Women’s institution, and has also had experience working at Regional Headquarters (RHQ). Her mantra is work-variety is the spice of life. Lastly Christina has a Masters in Criminology.
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. In his 26 years with Justice, Ari has worked as a legal advisor and manager in several different units, including as a Crown prosecutor, and in the National Security Group, the Human Rights Law Section and Public Safety Legal Services Unit. He has expertise on criminal law, national security law, and public law, including administrative law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ari is a mentor and sponsor of many newer colleagues from diverse backgrounds, always willing to share his knowledge and experiences on navigating public service careers. A father of three boys, he enjoys coaching minor hockey, canoe tripping, skiing, biking, and swimming. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ari-slatkoff-4504a136/?originalSubdomain=ca
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. He joined Parks Canada after university, as ecologist team lead in a park. He assumed some acting manager positions and learn to like team management. After a few years in Parks Canada sites, Sebastien joined Parks Canada national office staff, enjoying a more system wide perspective and learning more of Parks Canada wide scope of work. Sébastien thrive on supporting his team members,  energize with their successes, and growing their collective capacity.
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). Julianna joined the GC five years ago, originally as a co-op student at the University of Waterloo as part of her Masters of Public Service. In addition to the CRA, she has worked in a number of federal departments, including the Canada School of Public Service, Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. Julianna has a keen interest in helping people develop their careers and in mentoring, where she strives to match people's passion and skills with their career development. LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliannamutch/
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. Katie holds a Master in Public Administration from Dalhousie University, a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia and a BA in English and History from Carleton University.
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. LinkedIn - (26) Jennifer Tessier | LinkedIn
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 started his sprawling career in the public service in 2016 as a FSWEP student. He has since worked in 7 departments, across differing communities from HR to strategic policy, and collaborated with National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs), NGOs, and private sector leaders on a variety of initiatives. 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/
Melissa Fairey	Manager at Treaty Management Central	Crown-Indigenous Relations	Melissa Fairey is a Manager at Treaty Management Central working for Crown-Indigenous Relations in Toronto, Ontario. She has been a public servant for 6 years and is a co-chair of the Ontario Workplace and Wellness Network (OWWN). She is a researcher and advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights as well as a human + dog mom. Linked in: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melissa-fairey-10364563
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. Background in sociology and civil law with a degree from the University of Ottawa and in business analysis with a diploma from Purdue University. Business professional and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in various roles in the public and private sector. Able to build strong working relationships across all levels of business to enable delivery of a world class service. Skilled at business process optimization, in managing projects and teams, ensuring an exceptional service is provided at all times, demonstrating a strong ability to lead through periods of change including significant legislation amendments and new business organizational models. LinkedIn: Delia Pop | LinkedIn
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. As Director General for Real Property and Service Integration, Nandini was responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency’s entire office suite portfolio and real property services nation-wide. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Nandini was asked to develop a vision and lead CRA’s most horizontal transformation – “The Journey to Hybrid”. Her leadership efforts attained tremendous recognition at the 2023 Canadian HR Awards with CRA winning the Award for Best Remote Work Strategy! She is currently at the CBSA as a DG in the Commercial and Trade Branch – learning all about the intricacies of freely importing and exporting goods and services while keeping Canadians safe.
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. Beyond her professional commitments, Isa dedicates her time to volunteering as the Team Lead for Emergency Response Services at the Canadian Red Cross in Quebec. Her passion for community service is matched by her dedication to supporting victims in times of crisis. LinkedIn: Connect with Isa on LinkedIn
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. LinkedIn page: Nihal Sherif - Senior Director - Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs | LinkedIn
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. I have a strong passion for research and development, particularly in the fields of robotics and space engineering. These interests have driven me to continuously expand my knowledge and contribute to innovative projects that push the boundaries of technology.
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. Connect with Sébastien via LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-fleurant
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. Prior to these roles, Michelle has held several senior executive positions at the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada (including the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch) and at Correctional Services Canada. Her long professional history in the health and social policy space began as a social worker at Saint Michael’s hospital in Toronto, before returning to her hometown of Thunder Bay where she held increasingly senior positions for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Ministry of Children Services, and with the Thunder Bay and Champlain Health Councils.   Michelle holds a Master’s of Social Work from Wilfred Laurier University. In her spare time, Michelle is an avid athlete who uses sport as another way to continue giving back to her community. She coaches competitive girls soccer teams and enjoys basketball, hiking and running.
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. In 2018 Natale joined ISED to help launch a Digital Innovation Lab and would work virtually part-time from Bayview Yards, an innovation centre, to enhance collaboration between ISED and Invest Ottawa an incubator for start ups and small businesses. In 2021 Natale would take on an assignment in Parliamentary Affairs at ISED broadening her understanding of the interactions between the bureaucracy and the House of Commons. She returned to ISED’s Digital Transformation and Services Sector in 2022 to support leading a user research initiative for the Canadian Digital Adoption Program a granting program to provide Canadian small businesses with digital advisory services and digital capability improvements. In 2023 Natale officially completed ISED’s Economic Development Program achieving an advancement upon ADM level committee review. Natale was born and raised in Toronto. She has an undergraduate degree in Humanities (Political Science and History) from University of Toronto and a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD U. She is driven to be a part of an innovative, motivated, and inspired Canadian Public Service.
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. Currently, Arbinder serves as a Trade Commissioner with the TCS Support Division in Ottawa. In this role, she leverages her extensive expertise to support and promote international trade initiatives. Previously, Arbinder was part of the Regional Office team in Calgary and the trade teams at Canada’s missions in Mumbai and New Delhi, India. Arbinder holds a B. Com in Accounting from the University of Mumbai and an MBA in Aviation from Concordia University, Montreal. https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbinder/
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. She has led teams in developing online learning resources, skills developing tools, and employee engagement events. She considers herself a lifelong learner and she is passionate about mentoring public servants through their experiences so that they can develop their careers. When she is not working, she is busy with her family activities and volunteering with community projects.
Debbie Lagacé	Acting Director General Project Delivery	Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada	Debbie Lagacé, Executive Director, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada Debbie is an experienced project manager who has spent the last 15 years of her career delivering projects to help meet Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada’s mandate. As an Executive Director, she now leads the divisions responsible for the majority of projects within the department. Debbie has a strong belief in leading by example and with empathy. She is passionate about mental health & well being and is known for sharing her own struggles in order to bring a light to this important topic – and let others know that they are not alone. As a spouse and mother to kids aged 16 to 23, she works hard to balance work, family and personal time. https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-lagace-277977205/
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. Ryan is a reserve officer within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for 13 years. In this capacity, he is a leader within the cadet youth program delivered by the CAF. This program seeks to develop the youth of today in the leaders of tomorrow by providing them with opportunities to learn and grow in areas such as leadership, citizenship, military training, survival, and instruction. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Carleton University and completed the University of Ottawa’s Public Sector Leaders Program. In Ryan's free time he enjoys travelling, being a “foodie”, playing intramural flag football, being active, volunteering in his community, and nerding out on anything Marvel.
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. Chris has a strong track record of providing effective advice to senior officials. He has been the Chief of Staff to both Associate and Assistant Deputy Ministers and has held policy advisor roles that contributed to modernizing Canada's commercial space launch regime and advancing initiatives under the Oceans Protection Plan. Before joining Transport Canada, Chris worked at Public Safety Canada in strategic policy and began his public service career at the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman where he conducted systemic reviews. Chris entered the Public Service as a student in the Federal Student Work Experience Program. Chris holds a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis from Carleton University. www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wilson-8217b92ba
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. Néka’s public service career started at Immigrations Canada as a web developer where she supported one of the many front-end tools at the department for about a year. She had a brief stint at SSC as procurement officer before she moved to DND as a functional analyst where she spent two years supporting inventory management and analysis on two platforms – SAP and DRP. She moved to Statistics Canada and worked for about 8 months as a programmer/analyst in Business Intelligence and Analytics before going back to DND soon after that to support several projects for the Navy. During the Pandemic she briefly supported NRC in the push to setup the Biologic Manufacturing Center at Royalmount. 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. https://www.linkedin.com/in/okafoeke/ Néka Ifeoma O'kafo EKE, MEM, MSc, BEng, BComm
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. Patricia has worked on Indigenous policy since 2011, including seven years in the First Nations and Inuit health sector. She was previously Director of Pharmaceutical Policy, having spent the early years of her career with Health Canada. Patricia began her federal career via the now defunct Management Trainee Program. This accelerated development program enabled her to work both regionally (in the western region encompassing British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon) and in the National Capital Region. She had previously intended to pursue a career in academia. Link vers page Linkedin (en anglais seulement) : https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fpatricia-anne-cote-4309aa70%2F%3ForiginalSubdomain%3Dca&data=05%7C02%7CTina.Porretta%40hc-sc.gc.ca%7Cc99bae20aaae451dd9ac08dd2c0f4e4f%7C42fd9015de4d4223a368baeacab48927%7C0%7C0%7C638715166538297510%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wDUgmOs2cvO68lOVaKPYF%2FDKxmlrsFcXrM9qGBTDKSU%3D&reserved=0
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. LinkedIn: Sarah Brickell | LinkedIn
Richard Smith II	Chief Information Officer	Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada	Richard Smith II was appointed as the first Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Association of Executives within the Public Service (APEX) in 2023. Since his arrival, Richard has been instrumental in APEX’s collaboration with all government departments, central agencies, and industry leaders to ensure APEX remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving IM/IT landscape. He has already had a solid impact in modernization the tools and services, in support of business sustainability and innovation, that allow for the APEX team to continue to deliver the highest quality of service and support to our members. In his last role at ESDC, he was the Director responsible for one of ESDC’s flagship Projects,  Network Modernization. This 300M$/6-year project, which is still part of the top 3 departmental strategic priorities, will help ESDC maintain it’s commitments to Canadians on delivery of many essential services such as Old Age Security, and Benefits Delivery. At 41, Richard has completed over 23 years of a highly decorated and dedicated career in the federal public service in which he has held positions in various departments, including ECCC, SSC, the HoC, PSPC, and ESDC. Richard also demonstrates a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as one of the first-ever Co-Champions for the Black Employees Network at ESDC. Personally, Richard is a father of three and a former bodybuilder and semi-professional football player. With interests ranging from saltwater aquarist to sim racing; his faith, experience, leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication are the cornerstones of his life LinkedIn: https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Frichard-smith-ii-5162a442&data=05%7C02%7CTina.Porretta%40hc-sc.gc.ca%7C7cfa4f258dbb476943b008dd2e662e57%7C42fd9015de4d4223a368baeacab48927%7C0%7C0%7C638717738679473369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=h4Wr%2Bp%2Bj2tkg1Y9Y8XKs2W00VC6PvnAtctxc%2BhIJXV8%3D&reserved=0
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. (1) Amira Caro | LinkedIn
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. Focused on achieving results and delivering excellent customer service, he is known for his ability to thoroughly understand the environment, propose strategies, and implement agile action plans aligned with organizational priorities. As a champion of diversity and inclusion at PSPC in the Quebec region, he promotes cohesion by engaging employees to gather ideas and supporting them in developing initiatives that contribute to the organization’s overall objectives. LinkedIn profile: https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fguillaume-quessy-08a71a3&data=05%7C02%7CTina.Porretta%40hc-sc.gc.ca%7C74273cd8bd774198e11108dd2e7c63f4%7C42fd9015de4d4223a368baeacab48927%7C0%7C0%7C638717834087145816%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vglDkKTJgqDTFeDNa0BElwjxril%2BDByMAipu8XWBSoY%3D&reserved=0
Sebastien NSingi	Legal Counsel Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat	Department of Justice