Presented By
Vice Chief of Defense Staff
Chief of Combat Systems Integration
Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence
Assistant Deputy Minister Defence and Marine Procurement, Public Services and Procurement
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Digital Officer, Fisheries Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard
Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer, Department of National Defence
President and CEO, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
News Anchor and Journalist
Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard
Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer of Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat
Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Department of National Defense
Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Department of National Defense
Senior Advisor, Accenture
Deputy Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Procurement Review
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Industry, Department
of National Defense
Commander Canadian Army
Chief Fighter and NORAD Capability
Defence Adviser, Canada
Director General Naval Force Development
Cyber Lead, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries
Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command
Copyright ©2024 Vanguard Canada Media
Major-General Peter Dawe
Chief of Combat Systems Integration
Major-General Peter Dawe joined the Canadian Forces in 1990 as an artillery officer. Following a tour to Cyprus as a troop commander, he reclassified to the infantry and joined the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He has commanded from platoon to brigade level, to include 3 PPCLI (2009-2011) and 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2013-2015).
Major-General Dawe's extra-regimental employment has included tours at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School; the Canadian Special Operations Regiment; Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Headquarters; and on the Strategic Joint Staff as the Director General Operations.
His operational tours include Cyprus, Bosnia, and two tours to Afghanistan. In 2002, he served as the 3 PPCLI Battle-Group Operations Officer for Operation APOLLO in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for which he was awarded the U.S. Bronze Star Medal. From May 2011 to March 2012, he served as the Deputy Commander of Canada's Contribution to the Training Mission in Afghanistan and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Major General Dawe was appointed Commander of the Order of Military Merit in 2019.
Major-General Dawe is a graduate of the National Security Program, the U.S. CAPSTONE Program, and the Coalition Joint Forces Special Operations Component Commander Course. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Military Arts and Science, a Master’s degree in Defence Studies, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Royal Military College of Canada. He is also a graduate of the Senior Executives in National and International Security program at Harvard University. He was appointed Deputy Commander Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in September 2016 and assumed command of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in April 2018. He assumed his current role as Chief of Combat Systems Integration in July 2023.
Major-General David Abboud
Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence
Coming soon
Simon Page
Assistant Deputy Minister Defence and Marine Procurement,
Public Services and Procurement
Simon Page enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1984 as a Maritime Engineer. He has served in several roles in the Royal Canadian Navy and the Materiel Group with the Department of National Defence. He is well known for his three-year tenure as the Director General for the Maritime Equipment Program Management Division and, later, for his time as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Materiel Group. In March, after almost 37 years with National Defence, Simon was appointed to his current role.
Christiana Cavazzoni
Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Digital Officer,
Fisheries Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard
Christiana Cavazzoni joined Canada’s federal government in 2009, after spending several years in the surveillance and telecommunication industry with MacDonald Detwiler and Nortel Networks. As a senior executive with a background in technology and business transformations, her experience in operations and digital transformation spans both private and public sectors. Christiana has worked extensively in operational environments in the defense and public safety domains, and in strong partnership with military or uniformed personnel. She is recognized as a versatile and inclusive leader with a strong delivery record and committed to the advancement of women STEM and other underrepresented groups. Christiana joined DFO/CCG in February 2024.
Ross Ermel
Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer, Department of National Defence
Ross Ermel assumed the role of Assistant Deputy Minister (Digital Services) and Defence Chief Digital Officer for the Department of National Defence /Canadian Armed Forces on May 1st, 2024. Leading the newly established Digital Services Group, he brings a wealth of military and public service experience.
Before his appointment, Ross served as the DND/CAF ADM (Digital Transformation), where he spearheaded digital modernization efforts to ensure operational advantage. His career includes significant roles within the Government of Canada, such as ADM Digital Talent and Leadership in the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Additionally, he held the position of Assistant Commissioner of the Western Region at the Canada Revenue Agency. Prior to joining the public service, Ross served as an Armored Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years.
David Perry
President and CEO, Canadian Global Affairs Institute
Dr. David Perry is the President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, host of the institute’s Defence Deconstructed Podcast and a co-director of the Triple Helix MINDs Collaborate Network. He is the author of multiple publications related to defence budgeting, transformation and procurement and a columnist for the Canadian Naval Review. He received his PhD in political science from Carleton University where his dissertation examined the link between defence budgeting and defence procurement. He is an adjunct professor at the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and a research fellow of the Centre for the Study of Security and Development at Dalhousie University. He was previously the Senior Security and Defence Analyst of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute and Deputy Director of Dalhousie University’s Centre for Foreign Policy Studies. Embassy Magazine and The Hill Times has named him one of the "Top 100 Influencing Canadian Foreign Policy.”
Kevin Newman
News Anchor and Journalist
Kevin Newman's career took him to every major hotspot in the world, and every major city in North America. He has earned a reputation for integrity, passion, and innovation through his work at the news divisions of CTV, ABC, Global and CBC. Kevin recently retired as host and managing editor of CTV News’ investigative series W5 and back-up anchor of CTV National News. His career at ABC News included hosting Good Morning America, reporting for Nightline with Ted Koppel, and substitute anchoring and reporting for World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. Kevin volunteers with veterans’ organizations supporting Canadian soldiers in their transition to civilian work and recently advised Kijiji on adapting its job site to better identify qualified veterans. Kevin was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from his alma mater, The University of Western Ontario.
Rear-Admiral Casper Donovan, RCN (Ret’d)
Originally from Montreal, Casper Donovan served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 35 years. His tours of duty have seen him serve on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, ultimately serving as Commanding Officer of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Vancouver. He deployed around the world on Canadian, Coalition and NATO missions, including to Afghanistan. Promoted to Flag rank in 2016 following an assignment to the Privy Council Office in support of the National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, he was charged with playing a lead role in determining what ships and capabilities the Navy needs in the future. He is a classically trained French chef, the Founder of Bowline Insight and Analysis, Inc and is currently serving as the Co-Executive Director for the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference.
Lieutenant-General Michael Rouleau (Ret’d)
Senior Advisor, Accenture
Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau was a soldier for 34 years, joining as a Gunner in 1985. After a tour in 5 Brigade, he served from 1989-1992 with the 4th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in West Germany, deploying twice to the nascent conflict in the Balkans, first in 1991 as a European Community Monitor and in 1992 with the inaugural UN deployment with the 1 R22eR Battle-Group in Sarajevo.
Lieutenant-General Rouleau joined Joint Task Force (JTF) 2 in 1994 and after one year of training, commanded an assault troop and sabre squadron until 1999 when he retired and joined the Ottawa City Police for three plus years as an emergency response officer. Owing to the events of 9-11, he re-enrolled and would serve another 20 years in CAF. He commanded JTF 2 and held roles in institutional force development and defence policy before leading Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command from 2014-2018. Promoted Lieutenant-General in 2018, he commanded Canada’s Joint Operations Command for two years, before becoming the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 2020. As VCDS, he prioritized four elements; enhancing pan domain C4ISR coherence, data/digital modernization, Supply Chain betterment and next generation PME. He retired on 4 July, 2022.
He earned two Master’s degrees and is a graduate of Harvard’s National and International Security Fellowship (2015) and the US military’s Pinnacle Program (2018). He is a graduate of Canada’s Command and Staff College (2006) and the National Security Program (2010).
Lieutenant-General Rouleau has been a Senior Advisor with Accenture since October 2022 and feels privileged to work with highly motivated professionals in the defence and national security space.
Dominic Rochon
Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer of Canada,
Treasury Board Secretariat
Dominic Rochon was appointed Deputy Minister at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) and Chief Information Officer of Canada on February 12, 2024. Before joining TBS, he was the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada, following three years as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of National Security and Cybersecurity at Public Safety Canada. He has also held senior roles in central agencies, including the Privy Council Office and TBS, and with the Communications Security Establishment.
Dominic has extensive experience in strategic policy, strategic planning, strategic communications and in overseeing a range of operational issues within the Government of Canada. He received his B.A. (Honours) in Political Science, International Politics from the University of Ottawa.
Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey
Vice Chief of Defense Staff
Lieutenant-General Stephen Kelsey began service in 1985 as a Reserve infantry soldier, commissioning into the Regular Force and Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in 1988. He served with average distinction in West Germany, Canada, and Italy, but was roughly educated on five deployments of increasing rank in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Promoted to the rank of Colonel in 2013, he became J7 (Director- Readiness and Force Posture) at Canadian Joint Operations Command before assuming command of the Kingston Garrison in 2015. He was concurrently Director Royal Canadian Armoured Corps from 2013 to 2016.
In 2016 he deployed to Baghdad with 1st US Infantry Division then 1st US Armoured Division as the Chief of Staff Combined Joint Force Land Component Command HQ. In 2017 he toiled as Army Chief of Staff Strategy before being promoted and appointed as the Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Force Development in 2020. From 2022 to 2024 he was NATO’s Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Naples.
He is a graduate of the National Security Program, holds a Masters in Conflict Analysis, and completed the Senior Executives in National and International Security Programme.
Brigadier-General Richard Schmidt
Deputy Commander, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command
Brigadier-General Richard (Dick) Schmidt joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998, starting as a Reserve Infantryman before transferring to Regular Force through RMCC. Upon commissioning in 2002, he served with Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, later completing Special Operations Assaulter training in 2006. His career spans key roles within CANSOFCOM, including commanding JTF 2 (2016-2019) and serving as Special Advisor to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff. Appointed Deputy Commander CANSOFCOM in June 2022, Brigadier-General Schmidt holds multiple advanced degrees, including terrorism studies from St. Andrews, and has deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan, Iraq, and various missions in the Middle East and Africa.
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright
Commander Canadian Army
Lieutenant-General Wright enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1990. He has served in all three Canadian Mechanized Brigade Groups and deployed on operations with all three Regular Force infantry regiments. He commanded 2 CMBG, was Commander CFINTCOM and Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Appointed as Commander of the Canadian Army in July 2024, he has deployed to Bosnia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and on domestic operations across Canada.
He is a graduate of Royal Military College, the National Security Programme, and the Joint Force Land Component Command Course at the US Army War College.
Siobhan Harty
Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Procurement Review
Siobhan Harty has been Assistant Deputy Minister, Defence Procurement Review, since September 2023. In this role, she is leading a cross-departmental review of policies and processes.
Prior to this appointment, she was Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Priorities and Planning, Privy Council Office. In this role, she was responsible for supporting meetings of the Cabinet and the planning of the government’s overall policy agenda through the Speech from the Throne. She has also held positions of Assistant Secretary, Government Operations, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Parliamentary Affairs, Privy Council Office, and senior executive-level positions at Employment and Social Development Canada and Public Safety Canada.
Before joining the federal public service in 2002, Siobhan was a tenure-track professor of International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. She holds a PhD in Political Science from McGill University, a MPhil in Latin American Studies from Oxford University, and a BA (Hons) in Political Science from Concordia University.
Wendy Hadwen
Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Industry,
Department of National Defense
Wendy Hadwen was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy- Industry) in October 2024. Prior to assuming her current duties, she was Communications Security Establishment Canada’s Deputy Chief responsible for Strategic Policy, Planning and Partnerships. Previously she held executive positions at NRCan, at Treasury Board Secretariat, Ernst & Young, and the Security and Intelligence Secretariat of the Privy Council Office.
Since starting in 1994 at Foreign Affairs working on rapid reaction capacity for international peacekeeping operations, she has spent her policy career almost entirely on peace and security issues including implementing the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, establishing the counterterrorism capacity building program, and promoting non-proliferation and nuclear security. Wendy has an M.A. in War Studies from King’s College London and a BSc in Chemistry and History from the University of Toronto.
Major-General Jeff Smyth
Chief Fighter and NORAD Capability
Major-General Jeff Smyth graduated with his pilot wings in 1994. His operational experience includes deployments to Haiti, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Afghanistan. In 2008 he was appointed Commanding Officer of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Edmonton. He commanded the Canadian Forces Warfare Centre in Ottawa from 2014-2017. From 2018-2020 he held the position of Deputy Chief of the NORAD and US NORTHCOM Command Centre. In 2020 he was promoted to Brigadier-General and posted to the position of Director General Operations at Canadian Joint Operations Command. In 2021 he assumed the role of Director General Strategies, Effects and Readiness in the Strategic Joint Staff. In 2024 he was promoted to his present rank. Jeff is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, The Canadian Forces Land Command and Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College, and Canadian Forces College National Security Program.
Brigadier Edward Sandry
Defence Adviser, Canada
Throughout his career Brigadier Edward Sandry has lived and breathed the strategic international environment. He joined the Parachute Regiment in 1996. After attending The Platoon Commanders’ Battle Course he was posted to The Third Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA). In 2008 he moved to The First Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, as Officer Commanding B Company. In August 2019 he was posted to the United States as a Special Advisor to the US Army COS. He assumed his role as the Defence Attaché in Iraq in December 2021. He is now very excited to be working with the Canadian military as the United Kingdom’s DA in Ottawa. Brigadier Sandry has a Bsc (Hons) in economics and politics, a Masters in Defence Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies from King’s College London. He was awarded the OBE for his work in Egypt.
Commodore Jason Armstrong
Director General Naval Force Development
As the son of a career soldier Commodore Jason Armstrong grew up in various army and air force bases throughout Canada, but calls Sault Ste-Marie, Ontario his hometown. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Maritime Surface Officer in 1989 and graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston, with a Bachelor of Arts Honours History in 1993.
Commodore Armstrong, upon completion of Naval Warfare Officer training in 1994, joined the Pacific Fleet. Since then, he has served onboard HMC Ships on both coasts conducting a number of international deployments including NATO, WESTPLOY, Op AUGMENTATION, and Op ALTAIR. He has had the honour and privilege of commanding three of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships during his command tour and deployed onboard HMCS Toronto as Commanding Officer for Op REASSURANCE in 2014-2015.
Commodore Armstrong has served in staff positions at Maritime Pacific and Canadian Fleet Atlantic Headquarters. He has served in the National Capital Region in Naval Force Development and as the Chief of Staff for the Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy.
Commodore Armstrong is a graduate of the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Program and the National Security Program. He holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies (MDS) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration both from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston.
Marc Watters
Cyber Lead, Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries
Marc Watters leads the development of cyber programs and advocacy at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI). Over the past 7 years with CADSI he has developed and published 3 research reports, curated a Cyber Council comprising the industry’s Top 20 executives, delivered multiple government-industry collaboration programs in cyber defence and offence, and launched CADSI’s first new core business line in 10 years – the Cyber and Digital Outlooks. Previous to his work at CADSI Marc was a management consultant for 12 years, specialization in change management, innovation programming, and ecosystem mapping. In his free time he plays and coaches hockey, is a proud Nepean Wildcats supporter, and believes everyone should watch the show Ted Lasso at least once.
Major-General Dave Yarker
Commander, Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command
Major-General Dave Yarker joined the Canadian Forces in 1989, graduating from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) Kingston in 1993. Following completion of graduate studies in 1995, he completed Signals Officer Training and served with 2 Brigade as a Signals Officer in both 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment.
He has served as the Canadian J6 on deployed operations in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He has also served as a joint communications planner at the Canadian Forces Joint Signal Regiment and Canadian Expeditionary Force Command.
Major-General Yarker has had the honour of unit command at both 2 Canadian Mechanised Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, the Canadian Forces Network Operations Centre, and the cyber defence unit of the Canadian Armed Forces.
He has been employed as staff in project management, operational planning, and within the Strategic Joint Staff. Major-General Yarker was appointed Commander CFIOG on 20 June 2018. He then served from 2020 to 2022 as Senior Military Advisor Deputy Chief Signals Intelligence at Communications Security Establishment.
Since 13 July 2022, he is appointed as Director General Information Management Operations and Joint Force Cyber Component Commander. He has completed undergraduate degrees in Engineering Physics and History, and holds master’s degrees in Engineering Physics and Defence Studies.
Major-General Nancy Tremblay (Ret’d)
Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel),
Department of National Defense
Major-General Nancy Tremblay served in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Aerospace Engineering Officer for more than 35 years. She worked within the Royal Canadian Air Force at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels in various aircraft maintenance operations and engineering support jobs. In May 2021, she was promoted to the rank of Major-General and assumed the duties of Chief Materiel Program until her retirement. In September 2022, she transferred to the public service and was appointed to the position of Associate Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel). In July 2024, she was appointed to the position of Assistant Deputy Minister of the Materiel Group. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from the Collège militaire royal of St-Jean, Quebec, and defence studies master’s degree from the Royal Military College of Canada. She is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Program and the National Security Program.