Making the Leap to the Executive Rank: A Conversation

Making the leap to the executive rank: a conversation

The Association of Professional Executives (APEX) provides opportunities for learning and dialogue on the current issues facing public service executives whether they are new to the role or experienced executives. APEX in partnership with the National Manager’s Community (NMC) would like to invite both aspiring and new executives to participate in a facilitated discussion with experienced public service leaders. The biographies and backgrounds of our distinguished moderator and panelists are listed below.

Our executive level panelists will share observations and opinions on the role of the executive and the challenges and opportunities of the transition. This facilitated discussion will also offer candid insights and inspirations to aspiring and new executives to prepare for the change in role, mindset, and responsibilities.

This event is sure to both inspire and provide valuable tips and tools for success.

Event Details

Date & Time: December 7, 2022 13:30 to 15:00 EDT

Topic: Making the leap to the executive rank: a conversation

Audience: All executives of the Public Service and aspiring directors (EX minus 1) across Canada and internationally

Session Resources

Picture of Clerk (Janice Charette) speaking on stage at event

Clerk’s address to new executives

2022 Ceremony of Entry into the Executive Ranks

Watch recording

Session recording available

Watch recording

Guests

Carl Trottier
Chief Executive Officer, APEX

Carl was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister at Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) in 2016. He has been a proud member of APEX since 2006, when he first entered the executive ranks. Carl began his career with National Defence in Human Resources with a focus in Labour Relations. He became a successful negotiator at TBS and proceeded to lead the Collective Bargaining program. His journey continued with him leading the Governance, Program and Policy Sector and working on many transformation initiatives. He then went to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to implement the new RCMP labour relations regime. Carl brings a strong leadership background and experience in change management, negotiation, strategic planning, program development, people management, relationship management and stakeholder engagement. Carl is very excited in his current role as APEX CEO, and to further lead the APEX vision toward an executive community with elevated wellness, elite leaders and extraordinary impacts through partnerships.

Arun Thangaraj
Deputy Minister Champion, National Managers’ Community
Associate Deputy Minister, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Arun Thangaraj was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada in September 2022 and was previously the Associate Deputy Minister of Transport Canada. Before joining Transport Canada in 2020, Arun was Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer at Global Affairs Canada and held a number of executive positions at Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency and the Canadian Transportation Agency. Arun was a sessional lecturer at Carleton’s School of Public Policy and Public Administration for a number of years.

Arun currently serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Ottawa and has held governance positions with multilateral and federal institutions. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, and an Honours BA in Political Science from the University of Toronto. He is also a recipient of the Queen Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Panelists

Bhagwant Sandhu
Founding member and past President of CFVM
Retired Executive from Federal Public Service

Bhagwant Sandhu retired as Director General from the Government of Canada. He also held executive positions with the Provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, managing portfolios ranging from social policy and economic development. Bhagwant is the founding President of the Community of Federal Visible Minorities, the Akhri Mothers and Daughters Literacy Project in Somaliland, and is active with many local community organizations. Bhagwant has a keen interest in Canadian foreign policy issues. His opinions are often featured in policy journals and newspapers.

Nicole Elmy
Director of Indigenous Relations
Canadian Coast Guard

Nicole Elmy is looking forward to speaking about her interesting journey to the Executive cadre in the federal government. Her varied experiences over the past 15 years range from working in Enterprise Architecture and Information Management in long-term acting executive assignments, to working directly with Deputy Ministers to advance Reconciliation priorities with Indigenous Peoples.

Nicole is a proud member of the Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte First Nation. She lives her passion for advancing Reconciliation through respecting each individual’s ongoing journey and promoting the voice of Indigenous youth in the Public Service. Nicole advocates strongly for education and cultural awareness as meaningful demonstrations of Reconciliation commitments.

She has recently taken on an assignment with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) as the Associate Regional Director General for Ontario and Prairies. Substantively Nicole is the first Director of Indigenous Relations (CCG), Nicole is accountable for enabling First Nations, Metis, and Inuit partnerships and collaboration across Canada, at CCG and in inter-departmental fora. Before joining CCG, Nicole led the establishment of the Canada Border Services Agency’s first Indigenous Affairs Secretariat, delivering on key commitments including an Indigenous Framework and Strategy for the Agency.

Hantz Prosper
Director General, Corporations Canada
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

Hantz Prosper is Director General, Corporations Canada at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and responsible for ensuring that the Canada Business Corporations Act, the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and other applicable laws are administered and implemented through regulations, policies and standards. Prior to this, Hantz held a number of executive positions, including most recently as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada. He is proud to have co-founded the Federal Black Executives Network, a group which he continues to contribute to that works to eliminate racism and barriers for black employees.

Hantz is a Mechanical Engineer with a Master’s degree in Business Administration. For over 10 years, he taught at the University of Ottawa, both MBA and undergraduate-level business courses focused on management skills, leadership, strategic thinking and analysis. Before joining the federal government 19 years ago, Hantz spent five years in project management, energy and equipment design in the private sector.

Hantz is passionate about developing leaders and establishing work environments where people can thrive. In his spare time, he is working to make public the collection of poetry that he penned over 25 years, and he loves to spend quality time with his three children and wife.

Leila Boussaïd
Director General, Data Access and Dissemination, Strategic Engagement Field
Statistics Canada

Leila has over 25 years experience in progressive managerial and executive’s roles in various business areas, in the private sector ( Bell Canada, Videotron Telecom )as well as the public sector. She held different leadership positions within Statistics Canada as Director of Corporate Support Service Division (CSSD) as well as Director of Operation Integration Division ( OID). Since October 2020, Leila has served as Director General of Data Access and Dissemination within the Strategic Engagement Field. Leila is the champion for Visible Minorities .

Leila holds a Bachelor and a Master degree from HEC Montreal , a Post MBA Graduate Certificate from McGill University as well as Master Certificate in Project Management from Schulich school of Business.

Moderator

John Medcof
Lead Faculty
Canada School of Public Service

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 successful 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.

Career highlights

Director General, Transferable Skills, Canada School of Public Service
Executive Director, Strategic Policy, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Departmental Liaison, Office of the President of the Treasury Board

Making the Leap to the Executive Rank: A Conversation

Making the leap to the executive rank: a conversation