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Making the Leap: Preparing Leaders for Tomorrow’s Public Service

Date: February 11, 2026
Type: Online

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APEX and the National Managers’ Community invite aspiring and new executives to join a dynamic, facilitated discussion with seasoned public service leaders.

In today’s rapidly evolving Government of Canada environment—marked by fiscal pressures, workforce transformation, and heightened expectations for agility—executives play a pivotal role in leading through uncertainty. This session will explore what it truly means to step into an executive position during times of change and complexity.

Our distinguished moderator and panelists will offer candid insights on:

  • Navigating leadership challenges in a shifting public service landscape
  • Building resilience and fostering a growth mindset amid uncertainty
  • Practical strategies for success as you transition into executive roles

Co-hosted by APEX and the National Managers’ Community, this event promises an honest, inspiring conversation that equips both aspiring and current executives with actionable tools, fresh perspectives, and confidence to lead effectively in today’s context.

Event Details

Date & Time: February 11, 2026, 13:00 to 14:30 ET

Audience: All Public Service executives, and aspiring executives across Canada and internationally are invited to attend

Cost: Free

Language: This event will be bilingual where the speaker will alternate between English and French without repeating. Simultaneous interpretation will be available via Wordly, an AI-based interpreting service.

Platform: Participants will attend our virtual event via Teams webinar . A meeting link will be sent once you are registered.

Meet the Speakers

Denise Amyot
Former President/CEO of Colleges & Institutes Canada and of a Federal Crown Corporation
Corporate Director, Executive Coach, Leadership Training in Canada & International, Connector, Speaker, Consultant, Entrepreneur

Denise is an experienced consultant, board member, and executive coach with a global footprint across nonprofit organizations, governments, startups, and post-secondary institutions. Her work spans Burkina Faso to Canada, China to Spain and Jamaïca to Qatar; offering strategic guidance rooted in senior management expertise at different levels and different types of organizations and in emotional, cultural and transitional intelligence.

Elisha Ram
Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development Canada

Elisha was appointed Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Strategic and Service Policy Branch (SSPB) in October 2025. Elisha has been working in the Public Service of Canada for over 25 years. He joined ESDC in 2018 where he served as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister in the Skills and Employment Branch and later in the Strategic and Service Policy Branch, before becoming Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the Income Security and Social Development Branch in 2023.

Elisha has been fortunate to have worked on a variety of challenging economic and fiscal policy files throughout his career. Particularly, he provided exceptional leadership throughout the pandemic in developing and implementing critical income support programs for Canadians, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Recovery Benefit, as well as new flexibilities in the Employment Insurance program.
Prior to joining ESDC, Elisha worked at the Department of Finance Canada, where he provided policy advice on a wide range of issues including personal income tax policy, fiscal policy, research and innovation, natural resources and the environment, risk capital, the public debt program, and the housing finance system.

Elisha holds a Masters’ degree in economics from Western University. Outside of his professional life, Elisha has a deep interest in housing issues and has worked with local not-for-profit organizations to help increase access to affordable housing in the Ottawa area.

Nadine Huggins
Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services Branch, Health Canada

Nadine Huggins is an experienced senior leader with over two decades experience in the public service and several years prior, as a management consultant.

Nadine excels at leading leaders, to drive innovation and change, and to turn broad vision into practical action. She built her career by designing and implementing solutions to complex challenges, leading whole-of-organization and whole-of-government initiatives and supporting teams to work to their strengths.

Nadine has a proven record of accomplishment—See her on LinkedIn. She uses leading promising practices, sound judgement and effective relationship development and management to address current and emerging challenges, and to effect positive organizational change.

As a senior leader in the public service, Nadine emphasizes and lives public service values and ethics. Her integrity, inclusive leadership, and a people first focus is notable. In all her roles, Nadine is consistent in striving to build a diverse, healthy, respectful, and inclusive public service. Nadine is a King Charles Medal laureate.

Camille Beausoleil
Executive Director, National Managers’ Community

In May 2023, Camille was appointed as Executive Director, National Managers’ Community (NMC), where she is working to promote the needs and interests of federal managers to public service decision-makers. Prior to this, Camille was Assistant Director, within the Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces Directorate at the Canada School of Public Service. She has been with the School since 2018, having worked in various leadership positions, both operational and more strategic. Camille joined the federal public service in 2008, having previously worked at the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission. Camille holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as professional certification in HR Management and lives in the National Capital Region.