| Name
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Position
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Department
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Biography
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Abe Greenspoon
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Assistant Director, Enterprise Change and Learning Academy
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IRCC
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Abe joined the federal public service in 2009 as part of the Post-Secondary Recruitment program. He’s worked at eight different departments in his 12 year career, with roles in program management, policy, communications, engagement, human resources, organizational health, and most recently, change management.
Two things Abe is very proud of:
1) launching the departmental young professionals’ network at Industry Canada, called InterConnex; and
2) designing, implementing, and growing Canada’s Free Agents, a program to promote mobility and autonomy for public servants.
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Steven Kasouf
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Deputy Director, Operations, Access to Information and Privacy
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Department of Fisheries and Oceans
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I have been working in the field of Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) for 10 years and have really enjoyed it. I have worked for four different government departments in various capacities as an Analyst, Team Leader, Deputy Director and even a few months as a Director of ATIP. I have learned a lot about the profession and have worked with great people. I enjoy the manner in which the work is measured in that there is a beginning and an end and then move on to the next file.
I enjoy training employees in the profession as well as those that are responsible for responding to ATIP requests and how the process works outside of the ATIP office. There is always very interesting information in processing ATIP requests so I have learned a lot about different departments and what type of information is held under the control of government institutions.
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Alfred MacLeod
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Service Accessibility
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Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
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Alfred MacLeod was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Service Accessibility at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat in October 2018.
From 2017 to 2018, Alfred was Assistant Deputy Minister at Public Services and Procurement Canada, where he oversaw the Canada Post Corporation Review.
Previously, Alfred was Assistant Deputy Minister of PSPC’s Policy, Planning and Communications Branch. Other experience includes a two-year Executive Interchange with CBC/Radio-Canada as Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, as well as previous Assistant Deputy Minister positions at the Privy Council Office and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Before joining the federal public service, Alfred was Senior Vice-President, Public Policy, at EKOS Research Associates Inc.
Alfred holds degrees in History and Education from Acadia University, and a MPhil (Politics) from the University of Exeter, U.K.
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Christiane Fox
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Deputy Minister
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Indigenous Services Canada
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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.
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Fiona Crowley
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Director of Business Intelligence and Quality Assurance, Western Region
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Canada Revenue Agency
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Fiona Crowley has worked with Canada Revenue Agency since 2005. She has a Commerce Degree from the University of Manitoba and a CPA, CMA designation and is a graduate of the CRA Middle Management Development Program. Fiona has held various positions within the CRA including working in Audit, Appeals, the Winnipeg Tax Centre, and the Regional Programs Office. She was the acting Assistant Director of the Audit division at the Winnipeg Tax Services Office until May 2021 when she took on the role of Director of Business Intelligence and Quality Assurance for the Western Region.
Fiona has two children and enjoys camping and skiing in her free time.
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Brock Belliveau
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Client Experience Manager, Pension Operations
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Public Services and Procurement Canada
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Brock Belliveau is the Manager of Specialized Pension Services at the Government of Canada Pension Centre in Shediac, New Brunswick with Public Services and Procurement Canada. After a 13 years as a Human Resources Professional in the Federal Public Service, he continues his pursuit of empowering people, fostering collaboration and pushing the boundaries of innovation and service excellence.
An avid sailor and dedicated father, Brock’s pursuit of having a positive impact on those around him can be seen through his volunteer coaching with youth hockey and soccer as well in his active support for community organizations helping those in need.
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Megan Young
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Director of Acceleration, Integration and Emerging Technology
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Canada Border Services Agency
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Megan Young is the Director of Acceleration, Integration and Emerging Technology within CBSA’s Border Technology Innovation Directorate. She joined the Agency in January 2021, and has followed a meandering route to her current position. Megan graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting, and despite spending her work terms and summers working with HRSDC (now ESDC) and International Trade Canada (now part of GAC), she started her career in the private sector. Megan worked as an auditor at Deloitte, helped to shore up the Canadian automotive supply chain at Export Development Canada during the 2008 financial crisis, and joined the Royal Canadian Navy for a few years.
Upon the completion of her MBA in the Management of Technology and Innovation, Megan joined Gartner Consulting, working as a management consultant focusing on tech strategy, organizational design and operating models. She then took advantage of an opportunity to put theory into practice and spent a year at Shared Services Canada before accepting an offer to join CBSA.
Megan is a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. She has lived in six provinces, a dozen or so cities, and has travelled to six continents.
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John Medcof
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Lead Faculty
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Canada School of Public Service
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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.
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Julie Bastarache
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Director General, Evaluation and Integrated Risk Management
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Public Services and Procurement Canada
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Julie is a bilingual CPA, CA and CFE with over 20 years of global experience in the private, public and humanitarian sectors. She considers herself an ‘expert’ generalist and an agent of change who is energized by modernization, transformation, learning and problem-solving in creative ways. Mentoring, coaching and facilitating the development of others ‘fills her bucket’.
After spending several years living and traveling abroad, including spending almost 2 years in Haiti post 2010 earthquake, she returned to Canada to rejoin the public service after almost 10 years, bringing with her new perspectives and competencies to serve Canadians.
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Kelly Gillis
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Deputy Minister
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Infrastructure and Communities
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Kelly Gillis was appointed Deputy Minister, Infrastructure and Communities in September 2017. Infrastructure Canada is the Government of Canada department that provides long-term, predictable support to help Canadians benefit from world-class, modern public infrastructure; makes investments, builds partnerships, develops policies, delivers programs, and fosters knowledge about public infrastructure in Canada; and helps address complex challenges that Canadians face every day, ranging from the rapid growth of our cities, to climate change, and environmental threats to our water and land.
Prior to this appointment, Kelly served as Associate Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the department that worked to develop Canada's Inclusive Innovation Agenda to help build an economy that promotes clean growth, high-quality jobs and increased prosperity.
Previous to this, Kelly held a number of positions within the federal government, including, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications (SITT) Sector and Chief Financial Officer at Industry Canada.
Kelly holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Public Accounting from McGill University and is also a qualified chartered accountant.
Kelly is originally from Montréal. She and her husband have three children.
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Philippe Thompson
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Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer
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Indigenous Services Canada
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Since July 2019, Philippe Thompson has been the Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer (CFRDO) at Indigenous Services Canada (ISC). The CFRDO Sector is responsible for providing leadership and ensuring effective management of departmental Finance. The Sector is the departmental lead on integrated planning, results and delivery, parliamentary reporting and provides facility management, security and procurement services to the whole Department. It also manages the departmental Information Technology, Data Management and Information Management functions.
The CFRDO sector allowed the Department to remain on sound footing operationally and financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Thompson’s leadership ensured that the sector was flexible and agile in supporting the organization during this time of need.
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 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, 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.
Philippe holds a Bachelor of Political Science and a Masters of Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University.
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Tammy Branch
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Assistant Commissioner of Appeals Branch
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Canada Revenue Agency
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Tammy Branch was named the Assistant Commissioner of the Appeals Branch on October 12, 2021.
Tammy joined the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in August 2016 when she became the Director General of the Collections Directorate. She was then appointed as the Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Collections and Verification Branch (CVB) in November 2019.
Prior to joining the CRA, Ms. Branch held the role of Director General of the Recourse Directorate at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) from 2011 to 2016, where she lead a significant modernization of the Recourse Program, with an emphasis on improved client service. Previous to that, she held various positions with CBSA, such as Strategic Advisor to the President, Chief of Staff and Director, International Policy between 2007 and 2011.
Recruited into the Government of Canada through the Management Trainee Program, Ms. Tammy Branch initially worked in the Department of National Defence where she held various positions in the areas of communications, policy, human resources and in the Deputy Minister's office. In 2005, she joined Public Safety Canada where she headed up the Cabinet Affairs group.
She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom and a Masters of Business Administration from Queen's University. She also studied Political Science at the University of Toronto.
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Catherine Massé
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Director General
|
Canada Revenue Agency
|
Catherine Massé joined the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in January 2018 as the Director General, Relief, Redress and Branch Services Directorate in the Appeals Branch. In this role, which she continues to exercise, she is responsible for the overall management of the Taxpayer Relief Program and the Canada Pension Plan/Employment Insurance Appeals and Litigation programs. She is also responsible for delivering a number of branch management and support services.
Throughout her 30 year career, Catherine held a number of positions of increasing responsibility in various government departments. She began at the Department of Justice in program evaluation and intergovernmental relations from 1991 to 1999 followed by a dozen years in the area of socio-economic policy research and evaluation at Human Resources and Social Development Canada. She then took on a new challenge in the Community Safety and Partnerships Branch of Public Safety Canada establishing a horizontal policy function as part of the Assistant Deputy Minister’s office and then led a change management initiative in the Emergency Management and Programs Branch of that same department. From 2014-2018, she served as the Director, Integrity Policy and Program Development at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) where she was responsible for providing strategic analysis and advice on the program integrity function, including developing an integrity policy framework and managing reviews to identify and measure program fraud and other integrity risks in ESDC’s core benefit programs.
Catherine holds a bachelor of Social Sciences (Political Science) from the University of Ottawa and a Masters of Arts (Social Anthropology) from the University of Toronto.
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Caroline Leclerc
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships for Development Innovation (KFM)
|
Global Affairs Canada
|
Caroline Leclerc is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s École de Droit civil and was admitted to the Quebec Bar Association in 1994. She joined the federal government in 1995 and occupied several positions of increasing level and complexity before joining the Canadian International Development Agency in 2005, which formed part of Global Affairs as of 2013.
Amongst others, she has been Director General, Strategic Planning, Head of Development Evaluation, and Director General for Food Security and Environment. In her most recent position she has been overseeing the implementation of the Government’s commitment to support developing countries’ efforts to adapt to, and mitigate the causes of climate change, and representing the Government internationally in a number of multilateral organisations, such as the Green Climate Fund.
She took on the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of Partnerships for Development Innovation on September 5, 2017, and hopes that her experience in engaging partners, development programming, and innovative finance, will help her advance her team’s vision for strong and productive engagement of Canadians in international development.
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Jean Cardinal
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Director, Open Government | Directeur, Gouvernement ouvert
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Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat | Secrétariat du Conseil du Trésor du Canada
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Jean Cardinal is currently the Director of Open Government at Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Prior to joining the Public Service, Jean worked in the private sector for 15 years, in a variety of sectors, including marketing, sales & high tech. Jean joined the Public Service 13 years ago, starting at the National Capital Commission.
In 2012, he then joined the Canada School of Public Service where he has held a variety of leadership positions in learning and development related to specialized fields of study including, but not limited to: Information management & technology, access to information & privacy, human resources, finance, security, etc.
In 2021, he joined the Open Government team with the goal of continuing to champion Open Government and Data in the Canadian federal public service and beyond.
He is the proud father of two wonderful young ladies, ages 13 and 10
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Kristen Petruska
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Director of the Strategic Analytics and Horizontal Integration in the Account Security Directorate
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Canada Revenue Agency
|
Kristen Petruska joined the public service in 2006. With over 15 years of experience with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), she has worked in statistics, strategic policy, enterprise risk management, issues management, and program evaluation. She was appointed to the executive community in 2016 and she is currently providing leadership as a Director within the CRA’s Account Security Directorate, helping to ensure a consistent and enterprise-wide approach across business lines.
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Virginie Mongeon
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A/DG, Enterprise Change & Learning Academy
Corporate Services Sector
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Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
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Virginie likes to build things with energy and integrity. Her passion for communications and continuous learning have put people at the center of all her endeavours. Her public service career spans more than 20 years across a wide range of departments and mandates (Canadian Heritage, Health Canada, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), several secretariats (Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games & Canada 150) and transformative projects. Most recently, she has been modernizing learning and development at IRCC, weaving in change management for a more conscious approach to change leadership. Collaborative and curious by nature, Virginie seeks out opportunities to create space for people to co-design future solutions for today.
Proud mother of three young adults, Charlotte (20 and recently moved out for university!), Pénélope (18 and got her first car), and Elliot (16 eager to finish high school) and now sharing a home office with a newly retired spouse.
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Lily Spek
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Recruitment Lead, Canada's Free Agents
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Natural Resources Canada
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Lily Spek has been a Free Agent for 5 years, and is currently the Recruitment Lead for Canada’s Free Agents as her 8th assignment. She has completed Free Agent assignments at the Heritage Canada, Federal Youth Network, Indigenous Services Canada, Canada’s Free Agents, Immigration Citizenship and Refugees Canada, and the Privy Council Office. She completed her Masters of Public Administration at Queen’s University, as well as a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University.
Lily helps facilitate weekly OneTeamGov virtual sessions on Mondays and Fridays; open to anyone interested in public sector reform, or looking for connection while we work from home.
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Frank Assu
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Free Agent, GovernexxVI Co-Manager, BCFC SDN Co-Chair
Senior Policy Analyst
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Environment and Climate Change Canada
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Frank joined the ECCC’s Innovation and Youth Engagement Division (IYED) in May 2021 as a Senior Policy Analyst.
Since May 2018 Frank has worked remotely full time from Comox, BC on Vancouver Island. This is when he joined the Free Agent program after four years as a Border Officer with CBSA. For the past three years Frank has worked for Service Canada, Canada School of Public Service, Public Service and Procurement Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada. Primarily on remote work files, future of work files, or as a Senior Advisory/Analyst. Frank is very supportive and always involved with projects. He is a co-manager/chair of two volunteer networks (GovernexxVI and BCFC Sustainable Development Network) and champion of Remote Work in the public service.
Frank has 4 kids (3 are adults) and a 7 year old granddaughter. He holds a Bachelor of Education degree with minors in Canadian History and First Nation Studies.
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Michael Mills
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Procurement Branch
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PSPC
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Michael Mills was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Procurement Branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in December 2021. In his role, Michael is the lead on pandemic response procurement, along with assuming responsibility for vaccine procurement and the management and administration of the Branch. Up to recently, Michael was the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (AADM) of the Branch's logistics and COVID-19 response teams where he was and still remains 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. Michael is the Reconciliation Champion, as PSPC is committed to advancing reconciliation, as well as the Champion of the Young Professionals Network.
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 public-private partnership 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.
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Darren Deneumoustier
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Director General, Citizen Services Branch (CSB)
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Service Canada
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Darren Deneumoustier, Director General, Citizen Services Branch (CSB), began his career in the federal government in 1993 as a PM01 Supervisor in the Collingwood Canada Employment Centre for Students. In his tenure of over 30 years with the public service, he has held various executive leadership portfolios that include Executive Director, Business Expertise, Executive Director, Integrity Services, Director, Business Infrastructure Management and Procurement in the Chief Financial Officer Branch, and Area Director for the Lakeland and Kitchener Service Areas. Additionally, Darren has central agency experience working for the Treasury Board Secretariat as a Senior Analyst within the Service Innovation Directorate.
Darren has been instrumental in successfully finding ways to update and modernize delivery of in-person services for Canadians by ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all. Through his participation on the Inclusive Service Advisory Network, with a focus on increasing engagement with external stakeholders, he has supported improved accessibility and inclusivity in client service. Darren has extensive experience in managing large complex organizations through service transformation, and has the ability to mobilize people. He actively supports staff engagement and strives to create a positive and healthy work environment.
Darren is a recipient of several prominent awards, including the APEX Award for Service Innovation, and the Public Service Leadership Award for Partnerships and Collaboration. He has also received numerous Service Canada Awards of Excellence in partnerships, innovations and service excellence. Darren has always taken pride in his client service orientation. He strongly believes that Service Canada's principle role is to empower Canadians to become self-sufficient in managing the many transitions in their lives.
Darren holds a degree from York University and enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, reading and playing sports.
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Angela Renwick
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Policy Analyst
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CER-REC
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Angela holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alberta. She has worked in policy, programs, and operations for the provincial governments of Ontario, Alberta, and the City of Calgary. Angela is currently in a two-year term position as a policy analyst with the Canada Energy Regulator Business Commission team in Calgary, Alberta.
Fun fact: Angela has lived and taught English in Japan while living in Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku. She visited Osaka, Hiroshima, and many Buddhist temples.
In her free time, Angela is a shoulder season hiker who enjoys hiking Alberta’s waterfalls and lakes (including Boom Lake, Rawson Lake and Chester Lake). Angela is a Wordfest fan and enjoys attending live/virtual events. Angela is a clichéd Peloton devotee; she enjoys partaking in yoga, run and strength training.
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Ümit Mustafa Kiziltan
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Chief Data Officer
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IRCC
|
Ümit Mustafa Kiziltan has been a Public Service executive since 2006, leading multiculturalism, citizenship, and refugee health policies and operations. Prior to being appointed as the first Chief Data Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2019, he was the Director General of Research and Evaluation at IRCC for 9 years, leading research data development, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization.
Before joining the Public Service, Ümit worked in academia and for civil society organizations and First Nations in community based indigenous control of indigenous education and international development. Ümit is currently preoccupied with the increasing fragility of liberal democracies across the world, which fuels his commitment to improving access to quality data and evidence-based analysis in support of effective and accountable public policies.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ümit-mustafa-kiziltan-2600294b
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John Marquis
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Director, Fraser Valley Tax Services Office
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CRA-ARC
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John joined the Canada Revenue Agency in 1991 in the Vancouver Tax Services Office (VTSO) as a Business Auditor. He subsequently worked in a number of diverse areas including Tax Avoidance, SR&ED, GST / HST Rulings and the regional office as a Program Advisor. John was appointed as Assistant Director of the SR&ED Division in VTSO in May of 2007.
In September of 2009 he moved to the Surrey Tax Centre where he worked as Assistant Director of Individual Returns & Compliance and subsequently as Assistant Director of the Business Returns Division. John took on an assignment as the Regional Director of Programs before being appointed as Chief of Appeals in 2013. In November 2016 John became director of the Surrey Tax Centre and led the transition to what is now the Surrey National Verification and Collections Centre before joining the Fraser Valley TSO as office director in February 2020.
John is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA), holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University and is a graduate of the MMDP Program and "Direxion".
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Jodi Rai
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Free Agent
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Jodi is a mom, social justice advocate, Free Agent and founder of heyHUMANTIS, a People & Culture consulting, learning, and coaching social venture. She is on a mission to bring humanity into our workplaces and communities and does this by elevating people and cultivating intentional living. When working on projects, Jodi has a ‘keeping-it-real’ and caring approach while drawing on legislation, jurisprudence, behavioural theories, organizational behaviour research, neuroscience, and systems thinking. She also has created and works with an ‘elevating human potential’ framework, called Intentification, to co-create happy individuals and teams.
Her superpowers are flexibility, empathy, strategic thinking, solid interpersonal skills and communication skills.
Jodi’s Qualifications include:
- A Masters in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelors of Commerce in Industrial Relations Management
- Certifications in coaching, instructional design, facilitating dialogue, emotional intelligence, personality profiles, and Mental Health First Aid.
- Extensive experience (over 19 years) in HR within the Canadian Federal Public Service across three departments.
- Working and volunteering in the not-for-profit sector.
- Management consulting as a Free Agent with Canada’s Free Agents for over three years.
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Daphne Guerrero
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|
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Daphne started her career in communications, working for nonprofits, government departments and on Parliament Hill as a press secretary. Part accident and part by design, her career in the public service has been an exploration of digital policy, citizen engagement, and futures thinking. She was one of Canada’s Free Agents from 2016 to 2021 and now leads research and guidance at the Office of the Privacy Comissioner.
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Stephanie Kirkland
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ADM
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PSPC
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Stephanie Kirkland was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Pay Administration Branch at PSPC on June 3, 2019. In this role, Stephanie oversees the administration of compensation and provides ongoing support to stabilize HR-to-pay efforts across government.
Stephanie joined PSPC in July 2018 as Director General of Business Enabling, Transformation and Analytics within the HR-to-Pay Project Office. Prior to her arrival at PSPC, she held various senior management roles for over 10 years at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Notably, from 2010 to 2014, Stephanie, as Director General of the Biometrics Project Office, led the implementation of a major Crown project to introduce biometric screening into the immigration process, winning various awards, such as the 2014 GTEC Distinction Award of Excellence in Collaboration.
Stephanie holds a master's degree in public administration with a specialization in management from Dalhousie University.
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Amanda Bernardo
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a/ Director. Change Management and Service Design
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Shared Services Canada
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Amanda is a cross-functional public servant known for her professionalism, grit, and ability to deliver results. Her career to date with the Government of Canada has largely focused on public policy, project management, change management, transformation and engagement. Amanda's background includes a strong understanding of machinery of government, including government spending and operations; program design and implementation; cabinet and legislative affairs; project and change management; and, digital government.
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Daniel Quan-Watson
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Deputy Minister
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Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
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Daniel Watson is a proud public servant who is passionate about the role that public institutions play in shaping Canada and the lives of Canadians. His appointment at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Affairs is his fifth appointment as a Deputy Minister, having been Deputy Minister (and previously Associate Deputy Minister) of Western Economic Diversification, Chief Human Resources Officer for the Government of Canada and Chief Executive Officer, Parks Canada.
Much of his career has focused on work with Indigenous peoples and issues, having been the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister for Policy and Strategic Direction at the former Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Director General of the Aboriginal Justice Directorate at the federal Department of Justice, and Director of Aboriginal and Territorial Relations at INAC’s Northwest Territories Regional Office. With the Government of British Columbia, he was Director of Treaty Implementation and Settlement Legislation where he led the development of the Nisga’a Final Agreement Act (British Columbia) among other major initiatives and, with the Government of Saskatchewan where he was responsible for first negotiations between provincial Department of Education and what was then the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations.
In the context of these positions, he played key roles in the negotiation of modern treaties, specific claims and many other agreements and processes. He was also the lead for several key legislative initiatives, litigation files and alternative justice programs. He has worked with Inuit, Métis and First Nation governments, communities and entities in every jurisdiction across Canada, and has lived in British Columbia, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. Beyond this experience, Daniel has significant background in economic development and innovation issues, federal-provincial-territorial relations, labour relations and human resources issues, and cultural and ecological heritage matters. He has represented Canada on numerous issues at forums around the world and has represented the federal government in several national federal-provincial-territorial forums.
Daniel is a pilot, sang for a time with the Regina Philharmonic Choir, has taught firearms safety and hunting courses, and has represented Canada in French, English and Spanish. His record for riding a Harley-Davidson from Ottawa to Edmonton is 46 hours and 10 minutes, one he intends never to repeat or beat.
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David Chan
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Assistant Director, Asylum Policy, Refugee Affairs
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IRCC
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David Chan is Assistant Director of Strategic Policy in the Asylum Policy Division, Refugee Affairs Branch at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
David joined the federal policy community in 2006 and has worked at the Privy Council Office, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Communications Security Establishment Canada, Transport Canada and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
David holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Waterloo and the University of London, and completed further training at the Canadian Forces College and the National Security Agency in the United States.
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Eric Shoesmith
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Free Agent
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ECCC
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Eric is a member of Canada’s Free Agents program, where he leads project-based files in support of Government of Canada priorities, and contributes towards a more human, mobile, and connected public service. Through his role in this program, Eric is committed to embodying the principles of Free Agents, including empathy, action orientation, humility, teamwork, courage, resiliency, and an outcomes/results focus.
Currently, Eric is on assignment with the Climate Change Branch at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) working on net-zero emissions climate change policy and stakeholder/expert engagement. Prior to this role, Eric provided leadership for environmental and natural resource policy initiatives, public engagements, and Crown-Indigenous partnerships for Natural Resources Canada's and ECCC's youth, consultations and stakeholder affairs, clean energy, and Indigenous affairs and reconciliation teams.
He is also proud to be Co-Chair of a Public Engagement Community of Practice (700+ members) where he co-leads a team focused on building community and empowering skills for public and stakeholder engagement in the public service.
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Esthefanie Vasquez
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A/Director / Solutions Task Team - Operations Planning and Performance
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IRCC
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Bio to come!
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Ioana Finichiu
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Team Lead, Open Government
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TBS
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Enthusiastic and passionate about knowledge sharing, collaboration, and culture change in the Public Service, Ioana shares this in her current role with the Open Government team at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
As a public servant since 2006, Ioana has worked in operations, headquarters, central agencies, internationally, and with a functional community office. Ioana thinks people – the public and colleagues in public sectors across Canada and beyond – are at the heart of what we do. She believes in doing the right thing, even when it is harder than doing things right.
Current motto: “I am not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it”
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Jacques Fauteux
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Statistics Canada Assistant Chief Statistician, Strategic Engagement Field
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StatsCan
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Jacques Fauteux is the Assistant Chief Statistician of the Strategic Engagement Field and the Official Languages Champion at Statistics Canada.
Before his current role, Jacques established and led VIA Rail's government and community relations office. He also served close to 25 years as a naval officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, where he managed the complex operations of a naval warship and directed public affairs teams in Canada as well as international operations.
For nearly seven years, Jacques worked as a deputy director in the Prime Minister's Office, and as a director or chief of staff in the offices of ministers responsible for transport, infrastructure, economic development, national defence, Veterans affairs and the Asia–Pacific Gateway.
Jacques holds an MBA from Royal Roads University, an Honours Bachelor of Arts (politics and history) from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a public relations certificate from Ryerson University. He presently volunteers as a board member for the Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation and the World Remembers.
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Jessica Zéroual
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Chief of Staff for Digital Experience and Client Data
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ESDC
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Jessica has been in public service for 5 years, working primarily in research and design. She has primarily worked with end-users for various federal programs and services offered to citizens. Jessica has experience in both line departments and central agencies. She is also a part-time faculty member at the Canada School of Public Service.
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Marian Campbell Jarvis
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ADM
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IRCC
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Marian Campbell Jarvis is currently the senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, where she oversees a number of economic immigration programs, leads program policy on refugee resettlement and asylum, and provides strategic policy advice including on related international and intergovernmental issues.
Prior to this role, Marian served as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet for Social Development Policy at the Privy Council Office. Marian was also ADM of Lands and Minerals at Natural Resources Canada and has played a number of senior roles at then Human Resources and Social Development Canada and Health Canada.
Originally from British Columbia, Marian lives in Ottawa with her husband and two teenaged children.
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Mary E. Moreland
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Senior Advisor, Modern Public Engagement Framework
Digital Services Enablement Team
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Transport
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Mary Moreland is a career public servant. A member of the GC “Free Agent” program with Transport Canada, she is currently assigned to the Transformation Branch where she is working on Modern Public Engagement and Human Centred Design projects. As a Free Agent, she has had assignments with several departments including the Digital Design and Innovation Lab team at the department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED). ISED’s lab is dedicated to using user-centred design methods to improve how government delivers services to Canadians and the business community.
Mary’s assignments have included work with PCO’s Consultations team, and with NRCan’s Canadian Energy Regulatory Team in the Strategic Petroleum Policy and Investment Office (SPPIO) and the Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation Secretariat where she developed the initial Terms of Reference for NRCan’s Indigenous Advisory Council and facilitated the selection process for the inaugural NRCan “Awards for Advancing Indigenous Reconciliation”. COVID made for an unusual working from home introduction to NRCan and its mandate and included supporting work on a COVID response TB Submission and an introduction to Indigenous engagement in a regulatory setting. In 2019 she worked with a Change Management (CM) project at PSPC applying user-centred experience methods and Stakeholder Engagement with CM and project management professionals.
Mary has more than 20 years’ experience contributing to national public participation initiatives such as the creation of the Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee, the implementation of the National Innovation and Learning Engagement Strategy, coordinating outreach activities during the United Nations Climate Change Conference as well as secondments to other regulatory departments such as Health Canada (Office of Consumer and Public Involvement) and Environment Canada (Corporate Consultations Directorate).
Over the past six years, Mary has been a member of several award winning teams for her contributions on designing and leading workshops, and for advising on Stakeholder Selection approaches. Awards include: 2018 DM’s Award, ISED; 2016 GC Head of Public Service Award; 2015 ADM’s Award, Health Canada. She has presented at the GC Community of Federal Regulators annual conference, l’Observatoire international de la démocratie participative (OIDP); and several IAP2 Conferences on various public engagement topics.
Since 2005, Mary has been an accredited trainer for the five day Public Participation Certificate Course developed by the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) (and had been the only one teaching in French). Over the years, Mary has delivered the Public Engagement course at the Canada School of Public Service and also been asked to present at other CSPS courses. She has delivered IAP2’s courses to employees and management Port of Montreal, including the entire Executive Team.
As of 2005, Mary has also been an accredited trainer, in both English and French, for the five day Foundations in Public Participation course of the International Association for Public Participation (www.iap2.org). She can hardly believe she has over 30 years as a career public servant with the Government of Canada.
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Mary Frances Wright
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Director, Consumer Product Safety
Regulatory Operations & Enforcement Branch
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HC
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Mary Frances is the national Director of the Consumer Product Safety Program with Health Canada’s Regulatory Operations and Enforcement Branch. In addition, she is the Talent Management Champion for the Prairie Federal Council (PFC).
She previously led, as director, the Tobacco Control, Pesticide Compliance, and Environmental Health Programs at Health Canada. Prior to joining Health Canada, Mary Frances worked for the Public Health Agency of Canada in Ottawa and in Edmonton where she held roles in population health programs, research, evaluation, policy and planning. Mary Frances has a Bachelor's degree in International Development (Economics and Social Anthropology) and a Master's degree in Health Promotion, both from Dalhousie University. She is a credentialed evaluator with the Canadian Evaluation Society and has authored several academic publications on evaluation.
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Shannah Fuller
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Team Leader, Benefits Delivery Services Branch, Western Canada and Territories Region
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Service Canada
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My name is Shannah and I am a team leader with Service Canada – Employment Insurance.
I started my employment with the government as a student at the beginning of 2020. After graduating, I was brought on as a Payment Services Officer with Employment Insurance Processing. In November 2020, I put myself out there and applied on a team leader board… To my surprise, I qualified on the board and started a team leader acting assignment in January 2021. I have been in a team leader role ever since.
In my free time, I like to spend time with friends, family and my puppy! Additionally, I love watching sports especially curling and hockey!
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Simon Kennedy
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Deputy Minister
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ISED
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Simon Kennedy was named Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) in September 2019. He has overseen ISED’s response to the global pandemic, working with industry to pivot towards the production of medical supplies and to build up Canadian biomanufacturing capacity, rolling out new programs to aid businesses affected by the pandemic, and partnering with Canadian companies to support innovation and industrial transformation.
Previously, he served as Deputy Minister of Health. During his tenure, the Department assumed a national leadership role in responding to the opioids crisis; negotiated new funding with the provinces and territories for home care and mental health services; and launched major reforms to pharmaceutical pricing, nutrition labelling, vaping, and tobacco packaging. Mr. Kennedy also oversaw Health Canada’s implementation of the government’s initiative to legalize and regulate cannabis.
Mr. Kennedy has served in a variety of progressively senior roles in seven different federal organizations, including in six deputy minister-level appointments. He was the Prime Minister’s personal representative, or “Sherpa”, to the G-20 from 2012 to 2014. He has degrees from Mount Saint Vincent University and Syracuse University, and is a graduate of INSEAD’s Advanced Management Programme. Mr. Kennedy has been a member of the board of a variety of organizations, including the Canadian Tourism Commission, Canadian Institute for Health Information, Mental Health Commission of Canada, and Ottawa Community Foundation, among others. He co-chairs the Ottawa Chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
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Claude Arbez
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Director, Domestic Network
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IRCC
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Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, I grew up in an extended family that owned many small businesses in accounting, leasing, auto repair, real estate, and cake decorating. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and a natural ability to lead through inspiration.
Sometimes, I feel like ‘managing’ is a skill that I have inherited. Whether by helping clients in the banking sector, making lifetime memories for guests at Walt Disney World, serving long line-ups at Passport Canada during the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, or nation-building at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, I have made continuous service improvement my standard. To complement my experiences, I earned a bilingual degree in Business Administration from l’Université de Québec à Montréal.
Currently, I lead a team of 50 amazing and diverse individuals, located across the country, who are responsible for helping companies leverage immigration programs, when no Canadian is able to fill the vacancy, to grow their businesses. My position is ‘Director of the Dedicated Service Channel’ and the most important part of my work is to create vision and strategy, create business intelligence, and mobilize people.
My Management principles are: Empathy, Collaboration, and Growth.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my young family, playing sports (badminton, curling, volleyball, and baseball), traveling and reading.
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Emmanuelle Deault-Bonin
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A/Executive Director, Strategic and Digital Policy
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IRCC
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Emmanuelle has been the Interim Executive Director of the Strategic and Digital Policy Group in the policy area at IRCC since October 2021. Her duties include coordinating IRCC's involvement in budget processes, transition, equity issues, and digital policy.
Prior to taking on these new challenges, Emmanuelle worked for seven years in the Admissibility team at IRCC, leading efforts related to identity policy issues, information sharing with international partners, and visitor program reform. She was also an analyst and manager in the national security policy group at Public Safety Canada, working on a variety of issues such as counter-proliferation and combating terrorist financing.
Emmanuelle has a bachelor's and master's degree in political science from the Université de Montréal.
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Jason Lawson
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Director,
Strategic Planning Division
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CRA
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Since joining the public service in 2007, Jason Lawson has focused his energy and efforts on data, innovation, and organizational culture change.
In his current role as the Director of the Strategic Planning Division in the Human Resources Branch of CRA, Jason leads a team dedicated to understanding, analyzing, and communicating CRA’s people management performance story – where we have been, where we are, and where we want to go. They work to accurately report on the now, while equipping others to better plan for the future.
Prior to that, he led a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, human-centred designers, behavioural scientists, and policy analysts at TBS-OCHRO to drive experimentation, innovation, and research in HR. Jason also held a variety of positions at the Public Health Agency of Canada and at the Canada Revenue Agency, leading teams focused on data science, strategy, and partnerships. He remains passionate about all things data and hopes to continue to increase data literacy and the use of evidence for decision making across the public service.
Jason currently lives in Ottawa with his wife and two young children. He never says no to delicious food and tries to spend time outdoors in and around the city.
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Josiane Labbé, CPA, CMA
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Free Agent
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DFO
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Josiane is a free agent at the Treasury Board Secretariat since 2019. She has extensive experience in internal audit and public finance, having worked in these areas for over 18 years under different roles in the private sector and within various federal departments and agencies.
Her current assignment is Senior Program Evaluator at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, where she continues to expand her skillset. Josiane holds a bachelor's degree in accounting sciences from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and the CPA accounting designation. She believes in the richness of diverse career paths and the importance of carving out a career in your image.
In her spare time, Josiane practices yoga at the Yoga de Gatineau solidarity cooperative where she is a volunteer treasurer.
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Marie-Noëlle Desrochers
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Executive Director
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
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Marie-Noëlle Desrochers joined Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in 2003 as a trade policy analyst, and became an executive in 2018. She took part in the negotiation of numerous trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada United States Mexico Agreement.
Ms. Desrochers has a Masters in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.
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Nathalie Proulx
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DG | DCFO, Financial Operations and Procurement Branch
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IRCC
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Bio to come!
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Paul Keller
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Project Manager
Quebec Federal Council’s Innovation Lab
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DEC-CED
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Paul is a former complex case collections officer and innovation ambassador at the Canada Revenue Agency.
He has been a project manager at the Quebec Federal Council’s Innovation Lab since February 2020 with a stint in the Public Service Renewal team at the Privy Council Office Secretariat. He has great interest in technology, intra/entrepreneurship, innovation, philosophy, the human mind, graphic arts, and multimedia production.
Paul is a co-lead of the FlexGC Network, where he has been involved since April 2020. He has since developed a solid expertise in best flexible work practices and technologies, which he shares openly through various workshops, presentations and the products he helps develop.
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Sonia Dupuis
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Area Advisor (NCR/Atlantic)
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CFIA
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Sonia Dupuis has been a conflict resolution advisor with the CFIA's Office of Conflict Prevention and Resolution since March 8, 2021. She has worked for the federal government for over 22 years. Prior to joining the CFIA, Sonia was a mediator at Public Service and Procurement Canada and Health Canada.
A graduate of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Civil Law, Sonia is also an accredited mediator with the Quebec Department of Justice, the Quebec Bar Association and a member of the Institut québécois de médiation et d'arbitrage (http://imaq.org), a regional affiliate of the Arbitration and Mediation Institute of Canada. She has provided over 1500 hours of training in dispute resolution, including to the Outaouais Bar (Quebec Bar region), the Community of Federal Regulators, Public Services and Supply Canada, Health Canada and the private sector. She has been helping parties resolve workplace disputes between the private sector and governments for over 14 years. This includes a variety of regulatory disputes between pharmaceutical companies and Health Canada, commercial disputes arising from federal government contracts, exploring options with senior executives to resolve difficulties between their programs, and workplace disputes.
Joining the Public Service of Canada, Sonia has practiced law in the private sector, where her skills and ability to see diverse points of view have helped her achieve results in even the most difficult cases. As a litigator and mediator with over 25 years of experience, she believes that even the most difficult experiences have something good to offer. Having a new perspective and looking for the opportunities for learning and growth that a situation offers allows us to redirect our energy and see the benefits of a solution even if it was not what we expected or wanted. She translates this into her work by inviting clients to question their assumptions, broaden their perspectives and explore new approaches.
In addition to being a mediator, Sonia is also a coach and facilitator. She has been a guest speaker at various events, including Justice Canada, unions, and the Outaouais Bar. She has also been a member of the Outaouais Junior Bar Association, the Board of Directors of REACH (https://www.reach.ca/) and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pontiac Economic Development Corporation as the elected representative of the business members for 5 years and chaired the elections for the National Council of Federal Employees with Disabilities.
Please feel free to contact Sonia to discuss the session or just to say hello.
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Taran Wasson
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A/Senior Manager, Strategy
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Shared Services Canada
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Taran S. Wasson is an Acting Senior Manager of Strategic Policy at Shared Services Canada. In 2018-2019, he setup the innovative Canada’s Free Agents program at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) that envisions a new model for workforce mobilization for the Government of Canada. Previously, he worked in Open Government, TBS, and has worked with the Privy Council Office, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Labour Program, and Canada Border Services Agency.
Taran also currently serves as the Past Chair of the Institute of Public Administration of Canada – National Capital Region (IPAC-NCR), and has been with the IPAC-NCR Board since 2014. From 2012 to 2014, he wastheNationalCo-Chair of YMAGIN,ESDC’s youth professional network, which he led to become the largest departmental employee-led youth network and actively worked with senior management to advance key priorities (e.g., renewal and innovation). He was previously the YMAGIN Labour Co- Coordinator from 2009 to 2012.
He is happy to connect with like-minded professionals on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and GCcollab.
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Arlene Clarke PCC, IMCTM
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Change Leadership Coach, Integral Master CoachTM
Enterprise Change and Learning Academy Branch
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IRCC
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Executives committed to leading increasingly complex change, partner with Arleneto create sustainable, healthy and effective change outcomes.
For over 20 years, Arlene has worked with executives, middle managers and leadership teams across the federal government, including the National Research Council Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada and various other departments while at the Canada School of Public Service. More recently, she codeveloped and launched IRCC’s Enterprise Change Leadership Coaching Program (ECLCP).
Arlene is a certified Integral Master Coach™ and is committed to upholding the highest standards of her profession. Clients say they have met and exceeded their commitments with Arlene’s help. They frequently remark on how quickly they start working toward achieving the results they care about – and how helpful it is when Arlene supports them in working through obstacles, enabling them to enhance their leadership effectiveness. They also appreciate her pragmatic coaching approach based on personal responsibility and values-based choices.
Arlene has high expectations for her clients, notably that they are committed to being open to change, knowing that she will support them throughout the coaching Program. Arlene is also an accomplished learning facilitator. Over her career, she has designed and delivered development programs and workshops where clients built advanced leadership capabilities.
Arlene has a global perspective gained from living and working in Europe and South America. She coaches and facilitates in English and speaks French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
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Arun Thangaraj
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Associate Deputy Minister
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Transport
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Arun Thangaraj was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Transport on July 6, 2020.
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).
Arun received the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013 for his contribution to the federal public service and to his community and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ottawa. He 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.
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Bruce Lonergan
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TBS
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Bruce is a bilingual (CBC) Free Agent with fourteen years in the Federal Public Service, as well as significant management, entrepreneurial and private sector experience. I’m an innovative, results driven talent management and organizational renewal professional looking to help elevate organizational and people management practices.
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Catherine Scott
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Office of the ADM, Strategic and Program Policy
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IRCC
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Catherine Scott was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic and Program Policy at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in March 2021. Catherine joined IRCC in September 2019 as Director General of the Refugee Affairs Branch.
Prior to this, she spent a decade working at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) on both labour market and social policy issues. During this time, she led a significant renewal of the federal homelessness strategy as part of the National Housing Strategy. Catherine led extensive consultations to develop the first Government of Canada social innovation and social finance strategy. She also launched the first federal initiative to support capacity-building in racialized communities.
A federal public servant since 1999, Catherine has also worked for the Commissioner of Official Languages, the Privy Council Office and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts in French and International Studies from Glendon College, York University and an M.A. in International Relations from Université Laval. She is also a graduate of the Government of Canada’s Career Assignment Program (Direxion).
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Darryl Sato
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Senior Director of Service Delivery Management
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PSPC
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Darryl Sato is the Senior Director of Service Delivery Management, Citizen and Business Branch at Shared Services Canada (SSC). The recent COVID-19 pandemic required a shift in approach to service delivery where ESDC was central to the delivery of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. Darryl led the efforts to develop new processes through the implementation of a War Room to ensure that ESDC was able to deliver these critical services to Canadians.
Darryl has been working in various areas of Information Technology for 20 years starting with a regional role with the Canada Revenue Agency. Like most IT Professionals Darryl began his career on the service desk and then took on more increasingly demanding roles in Web Application development, Data Center Administration, and support for 7/24 Border Sites. Darryl then moved on to Infrastructure Canada where he managed outsourced services with public sector and private service providers
Darryl graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelors' degree in Arts with a Minor in Management and Society. Darryl also holds professional certifications in Project Management (PMP) and IT Security (CISSP). Darryl is also a graduate of the CSPS's Direxion Leadership Program.
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Dawolu "Olu" Saul
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Executive Director, Prime Minister and Visual Communications
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PCO
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Dawolu began his relationship with media in 1991, volunteering in community radio at CKCU. This passion evolved into a career in film and TV; first as a camera operator and freelance producer, then Executive Director of IFCO and culminated with producing television commercials before entering Government.
Dawolu holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Carleton University and a TV Broadcasting Diploma from Algonquin College He began investing in his executive education with a Certificate of Achievement in the Queen’s University Executive Program in 2018. He continues his learning and development journey with a Certificate in Strategic Leadership & Innovation at the Schulich Executive Education Centre, at York University in October, 2020, following a nomination from the Deputy Minister’s Talent and Performance Review Committee.
In addition to expertise in Strategic and Marketing Communications, Dawolu has excelled in crisis and emergency communications having served on the Afghanistan Task Force at PCO and in the world of emergency nuclear communications at the CNSC. Dawolu prides himself on being a charismatic, authentic and personable leader, who brings prior civic involvement and military service in the Canadian Army Reserve along with lived experiences representing Canada abroad at international fora. He has served as ISED’s Visible Minority Champion, and currently sits as a member of the Communications Community Office's Steering Committee.
Since joining PCO in March of 2021, Dawolu has successfully delivered support to PMO on the appointment and swearing in of Canada's fist Indigenous Governor General, the repatriation of the "two Michaels", and the Speech from the Throne to Open the 1st session of the 44th Parliament.
Dawolu is driven by his personal values and his commitment to causes that he champions. His ambition is to be an efficient and dedicated leader, creating vision and strategy by understanding those who are facing challenges and seek to coach, guide and help them to embrace the change and achieve their goals. He maintains that his own success is due to the support and encouragement of others and he seeks to give back in the same manner.
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Holly Flowers Code
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Assistant Deputy Minister
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IRCC
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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.
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Michael Brandt
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Director, G&C Financial Management
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IRCC
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Originally from Saskatchewan, after 10 years in the private sector, I have worked in the Federal Government for 17 years, including over 8 years as an Executive at IRCC.
I am passionate about the work that my team does and how it contributes to the Program and Policy objectives of the department.
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Natasha Cote-Khan
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Free Agent
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Natasha is a regional Free Agent located in London Ontario where she has been working from home since March 2019. Natasha is currently on assignment at Transport Canada where she is a Senior Communications Advisor. Her areas of focus are UX and HCD design, Future of Work, Communications, Program Management and Events.
Working off the “side of her desk” with FlexGC since their launch in February 2020, Natasha has had the opportunity to liaise with multiple stakeholders and colleagues across the Government of Canada to support and share new tips and ideas of working from home. With 6 children at home during the multiple pandemic lock downs, Natasha has been a passionate advocate for almost 3 years sharing her insights and teachings on how to manage working from home while maintaining good team culture and cohesion at work, and sharing how she balances her work expectations and her family.
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Robyn Atkinson
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Director, Ministers Regional Offices
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PCO
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I started my public service career in 2004 as a co-op student at Environment Canada, where I worked on national and international policy. I later joined Public Services and Procurement Canada (2011) as the Manager of the Montreal Ministers Regional Office. I have been the Director of the Ministers Regional Offices Program, now with the Privy Council Office, since 2017, leading 40+ employees across the country.
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 a 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.
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Simon Gascon
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Senior Director, Workplace Strategy and Interior Design,
Accommodations Management and Workplace Solutions, Real Property Services
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PSPC
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Senior manager for over a decade, Simon is specialized in people management and change in the workplace. He holds a Masters in Public Administration and a Superior Study Diploma in International Management from l’École Nationale d’Administration Publique, as well as an Industrial Relations Bachelor Degree from Montreal University. Most recently, he works at Public Services and Procurement Canada as the Senior Director of Workplace Strategy and Interior Design.
Since 2018, Simon and his family reside and work from Mont Tremblant. When he is not working, Simon is likely on the ski hill in the winter or in the mountain bike trails in the summer where he races against/with his wife and two kids.
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Sylvie Bérubé
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Assistant Deputy Minister, Western and Territories Region
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Service Canada
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Sylvie Bérubé leads Service Canada’s Western Canada and Territories Region as Assistant Deputy Minister. As the senior representative of ESDC/Service Canada in the W-T Region, she leads over 6,200 employees across the four Western Provinces and the three Territories. Sylvie is responsible for delivering ESDC benefits programs (e.g., Old Age Security, Canada Pension Plan, Employment Insurance) in the order of $35 billion annually, a $500 million suite of Grants and Contributions programs, and ensures the effective delivery of programs and services through a network of 110 Service Canada Centres across the Region.
Sylvie is ESDC’s National Co-Champion for Indigenous Perspectives, a role that reflects her dedication to Indigenous Canadians and reconciliation. She is also National Co-Champion for Employee Engagement on Service Transformation. As a leader, Sylvie values diverse perspectives and supports an inclusive work environment that invests in its employees. She is the BC Federal Council’s Champion for Governexx -- the new professionals development network -- and takes an active role in employee mentorship.
With over 33 years of experience in the federal public service, Sylvie possesses a wealth of knowledge in areas such as program delivery, policy analysis and development, line operations, and health emergency management. Over her career she has worked in positions of increasing responsibility at Public Services and Procurement Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada and the BC Federal Council.
Sylvie holds a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Sociology from Carleton University. She earned both degrees while working full-time as an adult learner.
Sylvie is an avid cyclist and bikes to work, rain or shine. (She calls Vancouver home, so rain is usually more likely.)
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Tina Matos
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DG, Admissibility
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IRCC
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Tina Matos is Director General of the Admissibility Branch at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. In this capacity, she is responsible for ensuring the managed travel and migration of foreign nationals and newcomers to Canada. In addition, Tina leads the Program Management Table for IRCC’s Visitor Program.
Tina joined the federal public service in 2000, and transferred from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2003.
Over the past years at IRCC, Tina has held a number of roles, including Director of Visa Policy, Associate Director General of Refugee Affairs, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister, and most recently, Director General of Admissibility Branch.
Tina obtained her master’s degree in English Literature from Carleton University in 1999.
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Nicolino Frate, M.S.M.
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Executive Director, Workforce Business Intelligence Services
Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
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Treasury Board Secretariat
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Nicolino Frate joined the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat within the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer in June 2020.
From 2007, when he joined the Federal Public Service, Nicolino has taken on senior leadership positions within different government departments including: the Canada Revenue Agency, Public Services and Procurement Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada. He was the Head of Communications at Shared Services Canada and is currently the Executive Director of Workforce Business Intelligence Service at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Nicolino has experience working in both corporate and policy program areas, as well as in regional operations.
Prior to joining the Public Service, Nicolino’s professional career began in the financial sector. While working in the private sector, he began volunteering and leading a not-for-profit organization, which aimed to combat homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. In 2016, this work earned him The Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal for advocating for diversity and inclusion.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration. In December of 2021, Nicolino completed the Certificate Program of Public Sector Leadership and Governance at the University of Ottawa.
Twitter: @nickfrate
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Jason Fox
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Director, Research and Strategy, Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer
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Treasury Board Secretariat
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Jason has 20 years’ experience as a public servant in various HR disciplines. He began as a Learning Advisor at the Department of National Defence and has worked as Senior Advisor at the Privy Council Office (Public Service Renewal Secretariat) and Director of Human Capital Strategies at the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
He is currently Director, Research and Strategy at the Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer in the Research, Planning and Renewal Sector. Jason is also a professional Coach.
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Maria Montilva
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Enterprise Results and Data
Policy and Results Branch
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Infrastructure Canada
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I am currently an Enterprise Results and Data manager at Infrastructure Canada.
I love engaging with people and develop new ideas. My objective when I join an organization is to leave a very positive legacy and to assist in advancing their vision and objectives.
I am a natural visionary who possesses strong analytical skills and I have the patience to develop the necessary steps to achieve great results. I have an ability to see opportunities that have impact. I enjoy to hear others, and to build constructive and positive relationships.
I have mastered my economic analytical knowledge and skills over 25 years of relevant experience with the Government of Canada in conducting performance assessments across different federal initiatives, programs and projects.
As an innovator thinker, I offer solutions to improve organizational productivity, efficiency and effectiveness; I am able to provide expertise on socioeconomic and environmental performance and impact assessments to enable effective decision-making and inform Canadians.
I am able to work professionally in different languages (English, French, Spanish).
Through my rewarding experience with the Government of Canada, I have:
- Conducted performance assessments on complex socioeconomic and environmental issues relevant to Canadians;
- Led economic and statistical analysis work in support of departmental mandates;
- Provided relevant advice and guidance to audit, evaluation, policy and operational teams on economic issues;
- Advanced important assessments to better informed decision-making of issues affecting the Canadian communities;
- Developed and maintained a network of contacts on issues that are relevant for my work; and
- Identified potential socioeconomic and environmental issues at different levels of government.
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Jack Wong
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Regional Director - Moveable Assets, Procurement & Contract Management @ RCMP – Pacific Region
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RCMP
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- Long time HR guy
- Started in 1994 as Federal Corrections Officer with Corrections Canada (CSC).
- Worked as a HR Staffing Advisor at Fisheries & Oceans (DFO), Agriculture Can (AAFC), and moved to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Ottawa – where I lived for approx. 1.5 years before returning to BC.
- HR Learning Manager for AAFC, and then the Canada School of PS (CSPS)
- Left the HR world for 5 years to be a Program Manager with the Indian Residential Schools Adjudication Secretariat (IRSAS).
- Briefly returned to HR as the Assistant Director at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) before…
- EX-01 appointment at the RCMP in 2019.
- Prior to COVID, I taught HR courses at the CSPS – eg. Staffing for Managers, and Tips & Tricks for Resume Writing and Interview Preparation.
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