2023 Celebrating Excellence Awards
November 8, 2023 - Defence Stories
This year, the Deputy Minister (DM) and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) are pleased to present 87 deserving recipients with Celebrating Excellence Awards (CEA). These awards represent the highest expression of recognition within our organization and highlight the achievements of exemplary individuals and teams who have provided outstanding service and contribute to the tradition of excellence that the Defence Team continues to uphold.
In total, 33 Celebrating Excellence Awards are being presented across seven award categories to hard-working individuals and teams across the Defence Team.
Congratulations to all of the recipients! You have brought great honour to the Defence Team.
- CDS Distinguished Achievement Award
- DM/CDS Excellence in Defence Award
- DM/CDS Defence Team Impact Award
- DM/CDS Regional Achievement Award
- DM/CDS Transformation Award
- DM/CDS Organizational Culture Award
- DM John Forster Collaboration Award
- DM Award of Distinction
CDS Distinguished Achievement Award
This award is presented to full-time and part-time Non-Public Funds (NPF) individual employees who have had a positive and substantial impact, directly or indirectly on the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) or the CAF community
Awarded to: Daryl Allard
Daryl Allard is highly commended for his pivotal role in the development of electronic fitness testing kits, which are designed to streamline the administration of FORCE tests and recalibrate the BALANCE Physical Performance Strategy. Daryl's influential network, particularly with the Surgeon General and the dedicated team, has played an indispensable role in p
In addition to these accomplishments, Daryl has taken the lead in spearheading the CAF Women’s Wellness program, offering valuable support to the CAF Sports Strategy, and overseeing the successful launch of a new Health Promotion Strategy. This innovative strategy empowers field staff to deliver cutting-edge programming and initiatives that are aimed at advancing the health and wellness of CAF members.
redicting health outcomes and implementing evidence-based prevention programs, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of CAF member well-being.
Awarded to: Sébastien Despars
Sébastien Despars is highly regarded for his remarkable two-decade journey within the Canadian Armed Forces community. In the capacity of Assistant Manager of PSP at the St-Jean Garrison, Sébastien demonstrates unwavering commitment to their role. Notably, he has implemented a structured training program for the staff and instigated a divisional recognition program, underscoring his dedication and leadership.
In addition to these achievements, Sébastien has assumed a leading role in the successful construction of the sports complex at the St-Jean Garrison, leaving no objective unmet. This accomplishment serves as a testament to his exceptional leadership and innovative capabilities. Thanks to his ingenuity, the PSP is now better equipped to welcome new members and offer a broader array of services, thereby benefiting a larger number of Defense personnel than ever before.
DM/CDS Excellence in Defence Award
This award recognizes individuals or teams at any level who significantly contribute to the furtherance of Departmental and Government of Canada priorities.
Administrative Professional
Awarded to: CDA CIS Infrastructure Operations
Matthew Gander
Matthew NormanThis team personified excellence in defence and exhibited outstanding dedication and professionalism during two crises in 2020. In July, the RMCC’s network was the target of a ransomware attack that disabled 90% of its systems. Taking immediate and decisive action, the team isolated the network to halt the attack, preventing further compromise. After quickly identifying the root causes, they undertook the laborious work needed to develop a novel and secure framework to reduce the risk of future attacks. Immediately afterward, the team pulled out all stops to enable the RMCC to continue operating in time for the fall semester.
Awarded to: Naomi Kosolofski
Naomi’s diligence and willingness to go the extra mile is evident in everything she does. Her commitment to excellence is evident. She regularly performs beyond expectations to generate enabling products and keep the lines of communication open in difficult situations. In summary, her attention to detail and professional conduct have contributed significantly to the work and goals of the Office of the Assistant Judge Advocate General (Pacific Region).
Leadership Excellence
Awarded to: David Rowlands
A true leader, Mr. Rowlands led program planning to deliver integrated and interoperable sensing capabilities and was instrumental in the development of national targeting, intelligence, and command and control processes. He has played a pivotal role in drafting key contracts, and anticipated many of the requirements that would result from the evolving situation in Ukraine and the stand-up of the Enhanced Forward Posture brigade in Operation REASSURANCE. For example, he led his team in finding better hardware and software resources that could survive in a degraded environment and found an existing purchasing vehicle to fast-track the procurement of key capabilities.
Awarded to: Women in Defence and Security (WiDS) Executive Team (Defence Team Members)
Captain (N) Kelly Williamson
Christina Jutzi
Christine Kennedy
Julia ScoutenWomen in Defence and Security (WiDS) is a non-profit organization with 2,000 members, nearly half of whom are men, who work in industry, government, the military, police services, and first responder agencies. The executive team’s work is focused on the organization’s mission, which is to develop a pan-Canadian community that works together to transform culture. A key part of the team’s work is help deliver programs that provide networking and mentoring opportunities for Defence Team members of all genders and at all stages of their careers.
Awarded to: Doctor Abder Rezak Benaskeur
Doctor Benaskeur was the mastermind behind the planning of the command and control (C2) component of continental defence that was outlined in Budget 2021 and in a Memorandum to Cabinet.
He worked with scientists from five research centres to gather their input, enabling him to develop a detailed research and development proposal for submission to Treasury Board. He also exchanged information regularly with directors and lines of effort leads in various Strategic Focus Areas to ensure his proposed program would an optimal structure. Most importantly, he continually kept his team informed and was always available to answer questions.
Awarded to: Military Assistance and Coordination Cell Team
Lieutenant-Colonel Michelle Karasek
Lieutenant-Colonel Crystal Kipping-Wyatt
Major Erin Girard
Major Elizabeth Johnston
Major Brian Pellerin
Melissa Burke
Maxime Leblond
Marcel McNicollThis intradepartmental team, which was created to facilitate the donation of surplus CAF equipment and purchase of new military hardware and supplies for Ukraine, delivered roughly $1.2 billion worth of support in less than one fiscal year. The team achieved this by developing an innovative solution that leveraged the Canadian Commercial Corporation’s mandate to enable the rapid purchase and delivery of equipment, which helped demonstrate to the world that Canada could back up its support with concrete deliverables.
In the process, the team also helped expand Treasury Board authorities for military training and cooperation that will significantly improve DND practices.
Outstanding Career Contribution
Awarded to: Shawn Lodge
Shawn’s leadership and expertise have been vital to safeguarding sensitive intelligence data. Leading a team of information system security professionals, Shawn has worked for more than 40 years to protect the security of critical intelligence information systems. He implemented IT network security policies and the marking standard for the Chief of Defence Intelligence, worked extensively with our Five Eyes partners to develop security policies and procedures, and mitigated numerous potential security incidents. The information security program he developed has since become a model within the DND/CAF, and his expertise is regularly sought by other agencies and intelligence partners.
Awarded to: Petty Officer 1st class Kanwardeep Nijjer
Petty Officer 1st class Nijjer has served the CAF with distinction for 32 years and has repeatedly been recognized over a broad portfolio of postings. As a passionate advocate for building diversity in the CAF, he has provided meaningful engagement around inclusive dress regulations, served as co-chair of the Maritime Forces Pacific Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group, and led diversity initiatives. He has served as a Harassment Advisor and engaged in community outreach by making multiple media appearances to promote CAF careers. In short, Petty Officer 1st class Nijjer is a model of professional and personal excellence, and his work ethic is an example to all.
DM/CDS Defence Team Impact Award
This award recognizes individuals or teams at any level who have gone above and beyond to contribute to the Defence Team in the areas of Anti-Racism and Inclusion, Digitization and Modernization, Official Languages, Reconciliation Advancement, and Workplace Wellbeing.
Anti-Racism and Inclusion
Awarded to: Captain Beatrice Gale
The comprehensive health supports that exist today to support CAF personnel who identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, and asexual) community exist because of the work of Captain Gale. To this day, she continues to work with the Defence Team and with the Office of the Ombudsman to reduce discrimination against and harassment of transgender service members. Because of her efforts, members of all ranks have both input into and ongoing access to holistic changes in the CAF and Canadian health care policies that directly affect them.
Awarded to: Canadian Forces Health Services Grievances – J1 Division Team
Major Alaina Mundy
Rhonda Falcucci
Johanne PelletierThis team has dedicated considerable effort to sensitive files related to gender non-conforming, transgender, and gender-diverse grievances. Above all, the team has worked to remind all decision-makers that real people are experiencing strife because of the gaps in policy in DND.
As one example of the team’s impact, a group of five grievors was supported through a process that involved high-level policy-makers and the DND/CAF Ombudsman. The team facilitated a novel and collaborative process involving transparent meetings between the parties that, according to the Ombudsman, resulted in a “welcome interim solution” for CAF members seeking gender-related care.
Digitalization and Modernization
Awarded to: Jeffrey Cheliak
When Jeff took on the role as head of the Senior Client Services Team, the devices had been acquired but the Secure Tablet Project was effectively stalled. Seizing the initiative, Jeff worked relentlessly to re-energize the project, often problem-solving IT issues himself and making numerous trips between the DND’s Carling and Pearkes locations to ensure a smooth rollout. Due to his efforts, the project has been a major success, with a large number of senior clients and CFINTCOM executives now using the tablets. The project is now being rolled out to Army, Navy, and Air Force leadership.
Awarded to: Wayne Smith
CANSOFCOM data centres form the core of the Joint Strategic Information System and the operational capabilities it delivers. Due to a lack of resources, the data centres had been built in an ad hoc and reactive manner to meet immediate operational demands. As a result, the data centres were overused, unmanaged, non-redundant, and on the brink of collapse.
As a result of Wayne’s efforts, redundancy planning is now in place, the data centres have been standardized and their management improved, and the effectiveness and maturity of the governance and administration of CANSOFCOM’s command-and-control network have taken a large step forward.
Official Languages
Awarded to: Wayne Thompson
Wayne Thompson is an invaluable member of the ADM(Policy) Group, known for his unwavering commitment and exceptional translation skills. His expertise in translating critical projects and documents, including sensitive Memoranda to Cabinet and parliamentary updates, is pivotal to the team. Wayne's leadership in translating Cabinet materials, especially concerning the Defence Policy Update, has earned praise for his meticulous planning and dedication, often working beyond regular hours. His collaboration with the Translation Bureau and attention to detail in preserving nuances in translations contribute significantly to the Policy Group's integrity and effectiveness. Wayne Thompson's contributions establish him as an indispensable asset to the team.
Reconciliation Advancement
Awarded to: Sabrina Nash
In August 2022, while the Royal Canadian Navy was planning the affiliation ceremony for the HMCS Margaret Brooke, Sabrina recognized the Nunatsiavut Government had not been consulted about a proposed date change for the ceremony, which could have seriously harmed the relationship the RCN was trying to establish between the ship and the people of Nunatsiavut. Taking the initiative and acting well beyond her position as social media manager, Sabrina urgently raised the issue. This led to negotiations with all parties and her proposed solution resulted in an acceptable compromise and a successful event.
Workplace Wellbeing
Awarded to: Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Iron Warrior
Brigadier-General Eric Landry
Colonel Franz Kirk
Doctor Peter Ceponis
Lucie Laferrière
Doctor Darrell MenardMilitary fitness contests are intended to make—not break—the personnel who participate in them. Working in conjunction with medical staff and subject matter experts, Colonel Eric Landry decided to change the format of the Iron Warrior event by shortening distances and reducing the physical load by 25%. While the changes did not substantially alter the challenging nature of the competition, they dramatically reduced the extent and number of injuries as well as the need for emergency assessments and hospital admissions. The changes not only made the event significantly safer, they also inspired others to undertake similar initiatives.
Awarded to: Colonel (Retired) Steve Jourdain
Steve has embraced the importance of morale and well-being. After serving as a colonel with 2nd Canadian Division, he took a position with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services. Videos of Steve performing “Lullaby to Calm My Demons” were released in May 2022 for Mental Health Week and posted on the Canadian Army’s and other CAF Facebook and LinkedIn pages. He also permitted his song to be used in a play about veterans and military families. As a result, his message of hope was widely shared and garnered many expressions of gratitude for shining a spotlight on mental health.
Unsung Hero
Awarded to: Annie Caron
When Annie joined the Joint Defence Cloud Program (JDCP) as Deputy Director, the three-person team was in dire need of expanding to meet growing demand. Taking on the work of five full-time employees, Annie worked diligently to put the resources in place to support her team, helping to set the program’s strategic vision and mission and contributing directly to its success and growth. Her outstanding effort and dedication to the mission and the team have been an inspiration to all; without her, the JDCP and the department’s cloud capabilities would not be where they are today.
Awarded to: Michael Cole
As the Senior Life Cycle Materiel Manager for the Leopard 2 tank family of vehicles, Michael arranges for the strategic-level purchasing and repair of parts and overhaul of assemblies for these vehicles.
When it comes to resolving issues, Michael has gone above and beyond. For example, the variant of the Leopard 2 armoured engineering vehicle experienced brake pedal failures and unintentional release of the crew commander and seats, which grounded the entire fleet. Michael quickly identified and coordinated complicated technical solutions to ensure the vehicles were up and running and available for MAPLE RESOLVE 2023 and other important training exercises.
Awarded to: Boyd Garrecht
Boyd is the driver behind the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) training provided at the Suffield Research Centre. He has advanced this training by, for example, implementing novel training techniques, including the use of simulators, to better meet client demands, and is exploring the use of virtual reality in training.
He is also the primary enabler of the NATO exercise PRECISE RESPONSE. The leaders of NATO’s Combined Joint CBRN Defence Task Force rely on him to plan and deliver this multinational, month-long NATO training exercise because, year after year, his outstanding contributions result in a highly successful event.
DM/CDS Regional Achievement Award
This award recognizes dedicated individuals or teams at the regional level who have developed and fostered networks with internal and/or external stakeholders in order to share and spread best practices and initiatives across different departments to achieve Government objectives and the implementation of these initiatives in their region. The individual or team will also be recognized for their ability to take action which subsequently resulted in cost savings, higher productivity, working condition improvements, enhanced operations of the organization and increased value of our service offering.
Awarded to: Real Property Operations West Unit (RPOU(W)) Compliance Team
Marc Vandal
Nicole WarrenThe team implemented several noteworthy initiatives that have made a significant impact on compliance. For example, the team implemented industry-standard analyses and techniques for investigating incidences that help identify root causes and avoid bias. They also developed a system to track unsatisfactory items identified in audits and inspections that has increased accountability, reduced non-compliance, conserved material, and reduced risk to personnel. The compliance model they created for materials that contain asbestos is systematic, succinct, and thorough, as a result, the model will be used nationally in the future. The team’s work continues to benefit both the region and DND.
Awarded to: Radio Shop
Master Corporal Ray Huynh
Corporal Brett Murphy
James WellsThe Radio Shop manages the trunked radio system at CFB Borden, which supports emergency services, range control, real property operations, and training. National-level life cycle and material managers frequently call on team members for their expert knowledge on the system. The team also coordinates the audiovisual requirements for large events. For example, for the Canadian Armed Forces Day and Air Show in June 2022, the team implemented an excellent public address system while using their telecommunications skills to ensure the efficient operation of the radio networks needed to meet the event’s security, emergency, and logistical needs.
Awarded to: Frédérick L’Italien
As a Transport group Maintenance Foreman, Frédérick ensures the equipment he is responsible for—a fleet of vehicles worth over $15 million—is kept functional and safe. He is known for finding innovative solutions to mechanical problems, paying constant attention to safety, and implementing work methods that have increased the efficiency and performance of his team, extended vehicle lifespan, and controlled costs. Among his many accomplishments was creating and integrating a maintenance management system into the Defence Resource Management Information System which ensures that up-to-date, vehicle-level data is available to decision-makers, greatly improving equipment replacement planning.
Awarded to: Kimiko Yamaguchi
Kimiko Yamaguchi has written hundreds of social media posts for the 4th Canadian Division. She also develops the Division’s social media schedule and is consistently willing to help out with internal and external initiatives. For example, Kimiko co-drafted a social media training aide to guide the Division’s Public Affairs representatives and soldiers on the use of social media in uniform. She also volunteered to coordinate the filming of an Amazing Race Canada challenge at the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre in Meaford. Her positive attitude and willingness to take on new challenges are an inspiration to her colleagues.
DM/CDS Transformation Award
Business transformation is the deliberate and comprehensive synchronization and adaptation of changing culture, processes, policies and technologies in order to optimize Defence Readiness and stewardship through timely and accurate decision-making. This award recognizes individuals or teams at any level who exceed expectations in the transformation of Defence operations or business processes, that don’t merely result in an incremental improvement on status quo, but it unlocked potential for new capability through the transformation.
Awarded to: Operational Planning Software (OPS) Development Team
Master Warrant Officer Jean-Philippe Leclerc
Master Corporal Joelle Bergeron
Dominic GérardPrior to the implementation of the Operational Planning Software (OPS), the tools used for operations planning were cumbersome, requiring several manual steps with the potential for errors before providing a reliable picture of personnel readiness. The team’s innovative solution led to significant improvements in the planning and management of high-availability teams (deployable in less than 48 hours, 365 days a year).
The members of the development team demonstrated dedication to improving DND services, implemented an effective data strategy, and executed a project that has had a significant and positive impact on operational planning.
DM/CDS Organizational Culture Award
This award recognizes individuals or teams at any level who have demonstrated superior capacities in not only adopting but learning and understanding the mindsets and behaviors that will meet the changing needs and expectations of the Department. The nominees could include any individual or team who have been working hard to learn more about the institutional cultural issues and those who are working to reform them.
Awarded to: Defence Organizational Culture Research Team
Doctor Barbara Waruszynski
Doctor Carla Sowinski
Doctor Irina Goldenberg
Doctor Isabelle Richer
Doctor Jennifer Peach
Doctor Joy Klammer
Doctor Krystal Hachey
Doctor Sara Rubenfeld
Justin Wright
Marcelle GirardThe team implemented a number of research projects, including:
- Your Say Matters, a well-being survey to assess core aspects of organizational culture
- an organizational climate survey to assess the factors that help or hinder the creation of an optimal organizational climate within units
- a framework for assessing the character of leaders when considering promotions to General Officer and Flag Officer ranks, and
- a monitoring tool that translates research data into usable and informative information.
The team’s work has also provided insight into the perspectives of Defence Team members, including members of equity groups, on issues such as harassment and discrimination.
Awarded to: Jessica Stillman
Jessica’s extensive work in this area has included co-writing two sets of transgender guidelines for the CAF Health Services Centre in Edmonton, developing and implementing a transgender support group, and creating a support group for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies to learn about and support the community. She organized the first-ever Pride parade on a Canadian military base, served as a positive space ambassador, and is creating a monument at CFB Edmonton honouring the strength and bravery of Major John McDougall, who was a victim of the LGBTQ Purge.
Awarded to: Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training Team
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Ridyard
Major (Retired) Kim Downey
Marie-Lucie Bédard
Annick Boucher
Mireille Bujold
Robyn Gill
Christine Nadeau
Kaitlyn Norquay
Ronald PalardyUsing novel ways to engage learners, the team created three prevention training programs over a span of six years:
- Respect in the Canadian Armed Forces, to support the cultural evolution needed to address sexual misconduct in the CAF
- Building Our Future, a peer-led prevention program for cadets at the Canadian Military Colleges that is designed to promote respect through awareness and empower students and future CAF leaders to take a stand against sexual misconduct, and
- a new self-paced learning platform that uses different scenarios to further support training and education related to sexual misconduct.
DM John Forster Collaboration Award
This award recognizes individuals or teams who collaborate, engage, and share information with internal and/or external stakeholders and work with others to manage and implement initiatives that assisted in the advancement of Defence or whole-of-government priorities through exceptional collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
Awarded to: Canadian Forces Health Information System - In Service Support Team (CFHIS ISS Team)
Major Darren Still
Captain Cecilia Ho
Chantale Bossi
Bruce Campbell
Maria DaSilva
Jim Mcilquham
Chad Percey
Jeff SmallIn 2021, the team was tasked with creating a certificate to show that CAF members vaccinated by DND could comply with whatever COVID-19 restrictions were in place at local, provincial/territorial, federal, and international levels. The certificate needed to be standardized, easily verified, and demonstrate that it was generated by a legitimate authority.
Working efficiently and engaging with multiple stakeholders, including provincial health authorities and the Canada Border Services Agency, the team leveraged a Health Agency of Canada solution, speeding up development and approval of a DND certificate that could easily be verified from anywhere in the world.
Awarded to: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Team, DRDC Valcartier
Major David Demel
Corporal Samuel Beaulieu
Mathieu Desmeules
Guillaume ParadisIn only five months, the team undertook a tremendous amount of logistical, financial, and contractual planning, mitigated numerous logistical issues, and navigated sensitive legal and security considerations surrounding the data collected.
The team liaised and coordinated effectively with the numerous internal and external entities involved, such as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and National Research Council, to ensure the prototype Dragon X airborne consoles could be integrated and pretested in aircraft. As a result, the team successfully enabled the collection of vital data that led to the success of this project and gave DND access to the creative potential of Canadian innovators.
Awarded to: DND/CAF Recruitment Advertising Team
Lieutenant-Colonel David Cameron
Maj Brian Kominar
Chief Warrant Officer Richard Coltart
Sergeant Usama Mehmood
Shelley Cotroneo
Melanie PrimeauIn this advertising campaign, the team shone a spotlight on the diverse backgrounds and interests of CAF members, raising awareness among audiences who may not know what the military has to offer, particularly in terms of non-combat roles. The team’s approach was to break from typical military advertisements and show key demographic groups various diverse scenarios they can relate to.
The team embodied the collegial spirit of the Defence Team and built strong relationships to support buy-in for the overall approach, which was to use targeted, research-based messaging that would resonate with audiences by reflecting their values and aspirations.
DM Award of Distinction
This most prestigious award, recognizes exceptional contributions to the furtherance of the DND’s horizontal approach to managing its business, its service lines, and its support function.
Awarded to: Doctor Alan Okros
Doctor Okros’s advocacy for the evolution of military approaches to diversity and inclusion within the CAF and the militaries of NATO and other countries have had a significant impact both in Canada and globally. Using his expansive knowledge and leadership skills, he has helped to ensure that gendered and intersectional perspectives are incorporated into organizational culture. He has excelled as a policy entrepreneur and educator and served as a sought-after subject matter expert in both Canada and the US.
Doctor Okros’s many contributions have enhanced military operational effectiveness and made an outstanding and indelible impact on the organization.