Making the Leap to the Executive Rank: Another Conversation

Making the leap to the executive rank: Another 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 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. It is open for all executives and all aspiring executives ((EX minus 1 and minus 2)

Event Details

Date & Time: December 6, 2023 13:00 to 14:30 EDT

Topic: Making the leap to the executive rank

Audience: All executives of the Public Service and aspiring directors (EX minus 1 and minus 2) 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

Panelists

Thiago Fernandes de Lima
Director, Office of Strategic Policy and Integration
Health Canada

Enthusiastic public servant with a M.A. in Public Administration and a BSc. in Computer Science. He is currently the Director of the Office of Strategic Policy and Integration at Health Canada’s Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch.

Thiago has over fifteen years of work experience in the Government of Canada working on diversity, youth, health and Veterans issues, as well as infrastructure, transportation, and immigration. Thiago has also worked at the Privy Council Office, Treasury Board Secretariat, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada.

Jennifer Thorne
Director, Values, Integrity and Workplace Policies and Programs Division
Workplace Relations and Compensation Directorate, Human Resources Branch
Canada Revenue Agency

Originally from New Brunswick, Jennifer has worked for the Public Service of Canada for over 20 years where she has developed expertise in policy, program management, communications, engagement, governance, human resources, and client service. An executive for over 10 years, she has held positions in multiple departments. She is currently the Director of Values, Integrity and Workplace Policies and Programs at the Canada Revenue Agency. She has also held the position of Director of Outreach and Engagement in the Public Service Renewal Secretariat at the Privy Council Office, and served as Director of Appointments in the Senior Personnel Secretariat of PCO, overseeing key elements of the Governor in Council and Senate Appointments processes. Since 2018, she has been a full-time virtual employee; living, playing and working in Mont-Tremblant Quebec.

Mitos San Diego
A/Senior Director, Program Management and Governance Office, ADM’s Office – Enterprise Pay Coordination
Public Service and Procurement Canada

Originally from Manila Philippines, she has over 20 years of experience both in the Private and Public sector in the field of Program and Project Management, Resource Management and Communications. She is currently responsible for Public Service and Procurement Canada’s Enterprise Pay Coordination’s Strategic Planning and Reporting, Integrated Risk Management and Program Governance. Mitos has previously worked at the Canadian Coast Guard and contributed to managing resource allocation and investment planning for major capital projects within the Shipbuilding and Materiel Branch.

Mitos has been a proud Canadian public servant since 2005 and has a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Communications and minor in International Development; a Master’s degree in Project Management and currently completing the McGill Executive Institute Mini MBA program.

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, Learning and Product Development Team 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 positions both operational, as part of the Registrar’s Office, and more strategic, as Chief of Staff to the Vice-president of the Public Sector Operations and Inclusion Branch.

Camille joined the federal public service in 2008, having previously worked at the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission, in a number of management and project management roles. Camille holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, as well as professional certification in HR Management and lives in the National Capital Region.

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

Host

Jeremy Stowe
Chief Learning Officer
APEX

Jeremy is an executive with over 32 years of combined experience in the Federal Public Service and the Canadian Armed Forces. He is an experienced leader of national programs, line operations, diverse teams, and end-to-end transformation initiatives. Jeremy served in an executive role for over 11 years at the Canada School of Public Service in various roles including the Director General of Events and Operations as well as the Director General of the Government of Canada and Public Sector Skills business line. He also has extensive experience in defining and setting a vision to deliver on organizational priorities that improve outcomes for the department and the client(s) it serves. Jeremy has been formally recognized with awards for his exemplary efforts related to innovation, teamwork, education, and leadership, and for his overall dedication to the public service. He was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award in recognition of his contributions, achievements, and dedicated service to Canada.

Making the Leap to the Executive Rank: Another Conversation

Making the leap to the executive rank: Another conversation