CCO Learning Day 2023 – Biographies

Sherry Aske is an innovative digital communicator who advises on social media strategy and countering false information in the online environment. She joined Elections Canada in 2018, after spending six years as a multimedia journalist at CBC Ottawa, producing radio, television and online news. She has hosted various podcasts and is the current president of the Ottawa Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

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Elisha Barry is a senior communications advisor with Corporate Communications and Marketing at Indigenous Services Canada. Previously, she worked in Internal Communications and as an editor with the department. She is a language services expert at heart, with nearly a decade of experience in translating, editing and writing content for both the public and private sectors in North America and Europe. She has degrees in French and political science from Simon Fraser University and in translation and conference interpreting from UOttawa. She is a born and raised Vancouverite who now lives in Ottawa.

Raia “Coach” Carey has crafted a career in helping people, businesses, and communities access their untapped brilliance. She is a corporate wellness and meditation facilitator, motivational speaker, and head of EDI at Canada’s largest children’s hospital. Once bullied for her race and weight, Coach Carey has transformed the sting of rejection and the burden of self-doubt into lessons and tools for building confidence. Marrying personal experience and formal education in psychology and coaching, Coach Carey has worked with hundreds of individual and groups. She has also brought her fun and empowering approach to the boardrooms of major corporations (Google, LinkedIn, RBC); the stages of international events (Move the Dial Global Summit, Elevate Tech Festival); and noteworthy brand partnerships (Nike, Band-Aid, Intel). Coach Carey’s greatest metric for success is the potential to inspire confidence, authenticity, and connection.

Chris Coulter is a senior communications advisor at Transport Canada. He has a deep passion for plain language and has the privilege of co-chairing the Plain Language Community of Practice. The community offers Chris a forum to learn from others and to advocate for clear and inclusive communication across government.

Carly Dybka is a director at Justice Canada with over 15 years of experience in GC communications. She is passionate about helping the GC leverage technology to hear from its citizens using approaches that are effective, sound and ethical. This work is supported by her experience in social media, public opinion research, and navigating privacy requirements. Carly is currently completing her PhD at Carleton University, where her dissertation focuses in social media monitoring in GC communications branches.

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Elizabeth Gibbons has two decades’ communications experience in public relations, executive communications, project management and stakeholder relations. Recently named full-time Professor of Public Relations at Algonquin College, she has been teaching part-time for six years. Elizabeth has served as Director of Environmental, Social, Governance and Director of Communications at Telus International. Previous to that, Elizabeth held roles as Director of Communications to the Liberal Party of Canada, Director of Media Relations for the Leader of the Official Opposition, Head of Media and Public Affairs for the British High Commission and Director of Communications for the Minister of Agriculture.

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Dr. Valérie Gideon is a member of the Mi’kmaq Nation of Gesgapegiag, Quebec and a proud mother of two young girls.

She currently holds the position of President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and Associate Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services Canada. From 2018-2020, she was the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Indigenous Services Canada. From 2012-2017, Valerie held the position of Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations, Health Canada. In 2011-2012, she was Director General, Strategic Policy, Planning and Analysis at FNIHB. From 2007-2010, she held the position of Regional Director for First Nations and Inuit Health, Ontario Region, Health Canada.

Prior to working at Health Canada, her experience consisted mainly of working in First Nations health advocacy as Senior Director of Health and Social Development at the Assembly of First Nations and Director of the First Nations Centre at the National Aboriginal Health Organization. She was named Chair of the Aboriginal Peoples’ Health Research Peer Review Committee of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in 2004.

She graduated from McGill University (Montreal) in 2000 with a Doctorate degree (Dean’s List) in Communications (dissertation pertaining to telehealth and citizen empowerment). She previously completed a Masters of Arts in 1996 at McGill. She is a founding member of the Canadian Society of Telehealth and former Board member of the National Capital Region YMCA/YWCA.

Carolane Gratton graduated in March 2014 with a master’s degree in communications – Specialized in media studies. Her thesis was on ethical journalism: Requiem pour un journal - Étude comparative de la qualité de l’information au Journal de Montréal et au journal électronique ruefrontenac.com. She has over 10 years experiences in Communications, with a focus on media monitoring, social media and media relations. After being team lead in the Digital strategy team, she moved to be a media relations officer at Indigenous Services Canada.

John F.G. Hannaford became the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet on June 24, 2023.

Prior to that, Mr. Hannaford served as Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada (2022–2023), as well as Deputy Minister of International Trade at Global Affairs Canada (2019–2022).

In addition, Mr. Hannaford has held several senior leadership positions in the public service, including:

• Foreign and Defence Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister (2015–2019)
• Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet of Foreign and Defence Policy in the Privy Council Office (2012–2015)
• Ambassador of Canada to Norway (2009–2012)

Mr. Hannaford graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in history. After earning a Master of Science in international relations at the London School of Economics, he completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Toronto and was called to the bar in Ontario in 1995.

Laurie-Anne Kempton joined the Privy Council Office as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations and head of communications for the Government of Canada on September 26, 2022. Prior to that, she served in roles as the Assistant Deputy Minister, Public Affairs at National Defence and as Chief of Staff to the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council.

Over her 25 years in the Federal Public Service, Laurie has worked at multiple departments in roles covering communications, policy, outreach and operations. In 2011, Laurie was appointed Director, Foreign Operations for Passport Canada where she managed the passport program and crisis response in over 200 embassies abroad. In 2015, she joined the Bank of Canada, where she was responsible for creating and managing the public consultation to put a Canadian woman on a bank note. While at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, she led Canada’s policy work for the G7 Ministerial on Oceans and the Sustainable Blue Economy conference in partnership with the Government of Kenya.

Laurie has taught Public Consultation and Engagement at the Carleton School of Journalism and Communications. She has a Master of Science in Management from the Smurfit School of Business at the University College Dublin and a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University.

Fanny Lemieux is a seasoned communications specialist with over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors. Her expertise spans project development, web management, strategic communications, marketing, sales, and leadership. Currently serving as the Manager at Shared Services Canada, Fanny leads an award-winning team specializing in innovation and user experience. Her accomplishments include guiding digital communication professionals, overseeing web project management, and leading teams focused on user experience research, web development, and applications development.

Ray Leroy, an experienced professional at the CRTC, currently holds the position of Analyst, specializing in Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion. Apart from his role, he’s the creative force behind RayPresents, a YouTube channel he hosts, dedicated to celebrating diversity and sparking inspiration for the next generation. Through thought-provoking conversations with accomplished individuals from various sectors, Ray amplifies the importance of diversity.

Beyond his professional achievements, he finds fulfillment as a proud father of three children.

Rocci Luppicini is the Director (Arts) of the Tri-Faculty Graduate Program, Digital Transformation and Innovation (DTI) and an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Ottawa, Canada. He is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Technoethics (2010-2020) and a leading expert in Technology Studies (TS) and Technoethics. Main research areas include: Ethical dilemmas with new technologies, digital transformation, identity and technology, educational technology, and organizational studies. 

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Monique Manatch is a member of the Algonquins of Barriere Lake and an Algonquin Knowledge Keeper. Currently, Monique is a student at Carleton University taking a doctorate program in Anthropology focusing on the impact, use and creation of digital arts in the Indigenous community. Her Master’s Degree is in Indigenous and Canadian Studies with a specialty in Digital Humanities. Monique also holds a post-graduate diploma in Indigenous Policy and Administration.

In 2004, Monique became founder and Executive Director of Indigenous Culture and Media Innovations. ICMI is dedicated to the skills development of Indigenous communities through the production media and arts. Monique has facilitated Indigenous artists and community members throughout Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland.

Over the past 20 years Monique has produced several video documentaries about Indigenous issues. Monique also facilitated the production of videos and community radio programming with Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg, Mitchikanibikok Inik (Algonquins of Barriere Lake), Muskegowuk Cree, the Indigenous community in Ottawa, Pinaymoontang First Nation in Manitoba and the Mi'kmaq communities in Western Newfoundland.

Brenna Morell is the Executive Director of Communications at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Working in communications for the past 20 years, her experience includes strategic communications, web and social media, stakeholder relations, marketing, events, and more, as well as leading horizontal collaboration, change, and digital maturity initiatives at the Privy Council Office, Global Affairs Canada, National Defence, Passport Canada, the ByWard Market BIA, and National Gallery of Canada. Brenna approaches work with energy and enthusiasm, promoting positive leadership, outcomes, and collaboration.

Winnie Man Yin Pang is currently the Director General for Corporate Communications, Public Education and Digital at Indigenous Services Canada and joined the department in April 2023.

Winnie began her Public Service over 20 years ago with the Health Portfolio (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada followed by Public Health Agency of Canada) where she contributed to Canada’s bilateral and multilateral collaborations in health.

In 2016, Winnie joined Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister, before taking on the role of Director General of the Corporate Secretariat and Corporate Secretary in 2020. During her time with WAGE, Winnie also served as the Executive Champion for WAGE’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

In June 2021, Winnie joined Canadian Heritage as the Director General of the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Branch. This work has included the development of Canada‘s new Anti-Racism Strategy, supporting the Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism and the establishment of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, and Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate.

In 2021, Winnie led the successful launch of the Network for Asian Federal Employees (NAFE) and now holds the title of Executive Lead, leading the newly established Steering Committee. 

Crystal, a public servant since 2004, combines communication and organization with expertise. All her actions are marked by her values, empathy, inclusiveness and honesty. With an insatiable desire to learn, she outdoes herself by embracing challenges.

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Katelin Peltier (née Gillis) is Métis originally from Fort Nelson, found in Northwestern British Columbia. Katelin has called Ottawa home for over 20 years and is an enormously proud mother of her three children. Since moving to Ottawa, Katelin has worked with various Indigenous organizations, local and National, and joined the Federal Public Service in 2008 where she currently is the Director of Regional Communications at Indigenous Services Canada. In addition to her professional career, Katelin is enthusiastic in volunteering for Indigenous organizations and currently sits on the Board of Directors at the Minwaashin Lodge – an Indigenous Women’s Support Centre filling the role of Member at Large.

Originally hailing from Newfoundland, Jenn Pelley came to the federal government by way of a career as a newspaper editor. She got her first taste for public service at Environment and Climate Change Canada as a strategic communications advisor supporting the UNFCCC negotiations and international climate change files.

She is currently the Director of Economic Reconciliation Policy at NRCan, leading the development of a national framework to support Indigenous peoples and communities to participate more meaningfully in and benefit from the development of natural resources on their territories.

Jenn has a master in journalism from the University of King’s College in Halifax, NS, a master in public administration with a focus on international relations from Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, and a bachelor of arts from Dalhousie University in Halifax, NS. She is a proud part-Mi'kmaq woman (on her father’s side of the family), currently lives in Ottawa, and has a lovely partner and a small dog that awkwardly prefers her partner to her.

Following his return to PCO as Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Emergency Preparedness), Dan assumed his current role on May 31, 2023. As Deputy NSIA, he supports the NSIA in providing advice to Government to advance its objectives, while ensuring operational issues are well managed.

Prior to this appointment, Daniel was the Associate Chief of the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) since January 2022. He has spent the majority of his career with CSE, starting his career in 2002 as a software developer before taking on increasing leadership responsibilities, leading to his appointment as Director of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Requirements in 2014. From 2016 to 2018, he was seconded to the Privy Council Office (PCO) as the Director of Operations within the Security and Intelligence Secretariat, where he held responsibilities for coordinating cabinet business and operational issues relating to national security and intelligence, counter-terrorism, and emergency management. He then returned to CSE as Deputy Chief, Foreign Signals Intelligence, holding the position from 2018 until his appointment as Associate Chief in 2022.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Computer Science from Dalhousie University with First Class Honours. He subsequently completed the Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership and Governance from the University of Ottawa.

In 2012, Daniel was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Élodie Roy is fundamentally a communicator at heart. From a young age, she knew she was going to work in communications. After spending almost four years as a radio host and culture reporter, she became a public servant nearly five years ago and now works as a media relations officer for the Public Service Commission. From shows and weddings to corporate events, Élodie facilitates all sorts of activities for small and large crowds. Three words that characterize her well are professionalism, rigour and humour.

Samantha has over 15 years of government communications experience from organizations such as, Health Canada, HRSDC, PSPC, PCO, DND and CFIA. Prior to government she was a Consultant at a Public Relations Agency following her Communications degree from the University of Ottawa. She loves coaching others, public speaking, and spoke last year at CIBC’s Run for the Cure as a recent breast cancer survivor in 2021, and continues to be an active advocate for the cause. On her down time she loves gardening, golfing, hosting friends for dinner and being active with her family.

Asha is a Senior Strategic Communicator who is passionate about creating content that people connect with, always putting the audience—people—first.

Andy is a skilled communicator with a background in working public relations and social media, where he honed his expertise for four years. He has since transitioned to the Government of Canada, serving as an Internal Communication Consultant at Service Canada – Quebec region. His motto in life is “If there’s a will, there’s a way.” In today's ever-changing world, having the will to find a way often means having the ability and curiosity to search or even blaze new trails.

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Rosemary Thompson is the Co-Founder of Stratégies Artful Strategies. She is a remarkable communications leader having served as the first woman White House Correspondent for CTV National News, and later as Deputy Bureau Chief in Ottawa. She has covered seven election campaigns and two referendums. Later in her career she worked for the legendary CEO of the National Arts Centre Peter Herrndorf, for nearly a decade and was a key player in the $225.4M redevelopment of the building. She has served as a Senior Executive at Banff Centre, and the National Gallery of Canada and built the Coalition for a Better Future, Canada's newest public policy organization from the ground up.

This year at the age of 58, she took the plunge and started her own company with colleagues in Ottawa, Toronto and Halifax. Artful Strategies is a full service marketing and communications firm that is dedicated to helping the voices of leaders in sustainability, inclusion and inspiration break through. She cares about building a better country, and knows by amplifying the right voices that will happen.

Chantal Turcotte (elle/she/her) has over thirty years of experience in communications. Prior to joining the Communications Community Office of the Privy Council Office in February 2023, she worked for four years as Director of Communications and Language Services at Women and Gender Equality Canada. She is co-chair of the Interdepartmental Working Group on Inclusive Writing, whose collaborative efforts led to the creation of the Inclusive Writing Guidelines in September 2022.

Felix Vongchanh has worked as an HR consultant, writer and translator for Employment and Social Development Canada, Canada Border Services Agency and Shared Services Canada. In these roles, he became familiar with the theories and practices of plain language in the GC. His love of languages also led him to work as a teacher and translator in the private sector before joining the federal public service.

Currently, he works at Shared Services Canada as a member of the Linguistic Services team in the Communications Directorate. He also delivers plain language workshops across the public service and organizes meetings of the GC Plain language community of practice.

Before joining Amazon, Jon spent the majority of his white-collar career working in communications for the public service, starting as a communications officer with the NRC and ending as a DG in strategic communications with Health Canada during the pandemic. In between, Jon oversaw digital for the 2015 election/transition at PCO and helped set up and run the PM digital/visual communications shop, including launching the first-ever non-partisan social media accounts for the PM. In his younger years, Jon was a canoe trip leader, tree planter and drink slinger down the road at The Standard on Elgin.

Dr. Felix Odartey-Wellington is an Associate Professor of Communication at Cape Breton University. He holds a PhD in Communication and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan and York Universities and an MA in Media Studies from Concordia University. Before immigrating to Canada, he obtained a BA (Honours) in Political Science and Law from University of Ghana in 1996 and qualified as a Barrister at Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana in 1998. Outside the classroom, Felix is a Public Affairs Officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve, communicating for the Canadian military in Atlantic Canada and abroad. His research interests include race and media, news and public affairs, as well as communications policy.

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