Login Join

Transforming Public Service Culture – Session 2

Date: October 19, 2026
Type: Online

Register Now!
Share

Transforming the public service requires more than new priorities. It requires a shift in how we lead and how we work. The Clerk of the Privy Council has called on the public service to focus on what matters most, simplify how we work, and strengthen personal accountability for results. This series will explore what that means for leaders and provide practical approaches to helping teams adopt new ways of working, embrace innovation, reduce complexity, and deliver results with greater speed, ownership, and impact.

Canadians expect services that are seamless, responsive and fast. Yet many organizations find themselves weighed down by layers of process, approvals, and competing priorities. Simplification is not about lowering standards. It is about removing barriers to action and creating the conditions for better results.

Session 2: Building an Organization that Executes

This session will explore how leaders can streamline decision-making, reduce unnecessary complexity, and empower teams to focus on work that delivers the greatest value. Gain insights from executives who are modernizing operations, accelerating delivery, and building organizations that move from intention to execution.

Event Details

Date & Time: October 19, 2026, 13:00 to 14:30 ET

Audience: All Public Service executives across Canada and internationally are invited to attend APEX’s learning events

Cost: Free

Language: This event will be bilingual. 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.

Resources

Recording of Session

Watch

Transcript of the Session

Download

Meet the Speakers

Moderator: Gaveen Cadotte
Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Public Service Renewal Secretariat, Privy Council Office

Gaveen Cadotte joined the Privy Council Office in October 2024 to lead the Public Service Renewal Secretariat as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet.

Prior to this role, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism at Canadian Heritage, where she led policy and funding programs and oversaw the development and implementation of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and the Action Plan on Combatting Hate. Previously, as Vice-President, Policy and Communications at the Public Service Commission, Gaveen led policy and regulatory development, political activities and non-partisanship, intergovernmental and international relations, outreach, communications, and parliamentary affairs.

Earlier in her career, Gaveen served as Director of Operations (Compensation and Leadership) at the Privy Council Office, responsible for policies and programs supporting the management of Governor in Council appointees. She also held executive leadership roles at Employment and Social Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada, leading HR service delivery and workforce management policies, programs and oversight.

Gaveen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Ottawa, specializing in Management Information Systems and Human Resources Management, and a professional certification in Human Resources Management.

Mona Luke
Senior Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Pacific Economic Development Canada

Mona Luke is a thoughtful and respected leader in the Government of Canada, recognized for her strategic perspective, steady leadership, and genuine commitment to people and public service.

As Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Director at Pacific Economic Development Canada, Mona provides executive leadership across the organization’s corporate management functions and organizational stewardship. She is known for bringing clarity to complex issues, fostering trusted relationships, and helping teams deliver with confidence, purpose, and meaningful impact.

Mona also contributes to public service leadership beyond her organization. She serves as a Governor in Council appointee to the Public Service Pension Advisory Committee and previously co-chaired the Government of Canada Treasury Board Secretariat Regional Talent Management Committee, where she championed practical and sustainable approaches to recruitment, retention, and employee development.

Mona brings deep experience across federal finance, corporate services, human resources, information management, information technology, and business systems. She has advanced through progressively senior regional and national headquarters roles, beginning her federal public service career at the Department of Justice Canada, where she held senior leadership positions including Director of Corporate Services. She later served as Regional Director, Chief Financial Officer Branch, at Employment and Social Development Canada, with responsibility for finance, real property, and asset management across Western Canada and the Territories.

Mona is passionate about helping people realize their career aspirations and believes working in public service offers a unique privilege—and responsibility—to make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and in communities across the country. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, with a double major in Economics and English Literature; a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University; and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Alanna MacDougall
Director General, Service Policy and Design, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Alanna MacDougall is the Director General, Service Policy and Design at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where she leads service design and business transformation initiatives in support of the department’s modernization agenda. As the business lead for IRCC’s Digital Platform Modernization initiative, she is helping drive the process, policy, and people changes required to leverage emerging digital technologies and approaches in the delivery of immigration, citizenship, and passport services.

Over the past decade, Alanna has held executive leadership roles focused on digital transformation, client experience, and service modernization across the federal public service. Prior to her current role, she served as Director General responsible for client experience at IRCC and as Senior Director of Service Policy at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Throughout her career, she has led initiatives designed to improve service delivery, strengthen client-centered design, and modernize government programs to better meet the evolving needs of Canadians.

Alanna’s public service experience also includes leadership roles in citizenship modernization, service strategy, citizenship policy, and settlement policy. Her work has consistently focused on driving meaningful change through innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of client needs.

Alanna holds a Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement Studies from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Carleton University. She is passionate about designing digital experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of clients, while helping public sector organizations adapt and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

MEMBERSHIPNot an APEX Member?

Register to Become a Member