Our eleven-person leadership team is deeply committed to our mission and vision! Together, we are working to make our members stronger and improve their lives socially, mentally, physically and financially.
Our Leadership Team
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GRATIA DERDE
Chief Executive Officer ad interim View Bio
(SHE, HER, HERS)GRATIA DERDE
Chief Executive Officer ad interimGratia serves as Interim Chief Executive Officer, providing strategic leadership to the organization and ensuring alignment across all business functions to deliver on its mission, vision, and long-term objectives.
Gratia brings extensive executive leadership experience across the healthcare, higher education, insurance, and human resources sectors. She previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer of one of Belgium’s leading HR and payroll organizations, where she led major organizational transformation initiatives, international projects, and governance reforms. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided organizations through periods of growth and change while strengthening financial performance, people strategies, and operational effectiveness.
Gratia holds a Master’s degree in Business and International Relations and completed executive training in People Management at INSEAD in Paris. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic vision, and commitment to building high-performing organizations that create lasting value for employees, customers, and stakeholders. -
BRUCE PICKARD
Chief Operating Officer ad interim View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)Bruce, a retired Canadian Armed Forces Lieutenant-Colonel, serves as Interim Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he is responsible for aligning organizational priorities and operations across the enterprise to support the achievement of CFMWS’ vision and strategic objectives. He provides executive leadership for operational excellence, strategic initiatives, organizational performance, risk management, technology enablement, data governance, and enterprise-wide transformation.BRUCE PICKARD
Chief Operating Officer ad interim
Bruce brings extensive experience in leadership, operations, technology, and strategic planning. Prior to his appointment as Interim Chief Operating Officer, he served as Chief Information Officer, where he led the organization’s technology strategy, cybersecurity, cloud transformation, and enterprise systems supporting CFMWS programs and services across Canada and Europe. Throughout his military and civilian career, he has successfully led large, complex organizations and delivered innovative solutions that enhanced operational effectiveness and service delivery.
During his military career, he held a number of senior positions with the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, including within ADM (Materiel), the Army Staff, ADM (Information Management), and as the CAF Command and Control Systems Capability Manager.
After a distinguished 27-year military career, Bruce retired from the Canadian Armed Forces and joined CFMWS as Chief Information Officer in 2008. As Interim Chief Operating Officer, he leverages his extensive leadership and operational expertise to support the continued growth, performance, and success of the organization. -
CORINNA HEILMAN
Senior Vice President ad interim, Military Family Services View Bio
(SHE, HER, HERS)CORINNA HEILMAN
Senior Vice President ad interim, Military Family ServicesCorinna, a retired Brigadier-General, is the interim Senior Vice President of Military Family Services. She oversees the Military Family Services Program, including funding distribution, auditing, program delivery, and performance monitoring of Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs), which are family governed, provincially incorporated, not-for-profit organizations with charitable status.
Under Todd’s leadership, MFS enhances accessibility for military families through a suite of national virtual services and manages the Support Our Troops Charitable Fund.
Corinna joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1994 as a Logistics Officer in the Canadian Army. Following graduation from the Royal Military College, Corinna served in a variety of roles at the tactical, operational and strategic level with a focus on logistics, strategy development, risk management, professionalization and governance. Throughout her career Corinna completed command and staff positions including Commanding Officer 2 Service Battalion, Director of Cadets at the Royal Military College, Strategic J4/Director General Support at the Strategic Joint Staff, and her final role was Deputy Chief of Staff at Chief Professional Conduct and Culture.
A graduate of the Royal Military College and the National Defense University (Washington, DC), Corinna holds a Masters in Defence Studies (RMC) and a Masters in Science – Resourcing National Security (NDU).
After 29 exciting and rewarding years in the Canadian Armed Forces, Corinna retired in October 2023 to join the CFMWS team.
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JILL O'NEILL
Senior Vice President SISIP Financial View Bio
(SHE, HER, HERS)JILL O'NEILL
Senior Vice President SISIP FinancialJill is the Senior Vice President of SISIP Financial, responsible for all SISIP Financial operations. Jill brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and deep expertise as a thought leader in client-centred business transformation.
Since coming to CFMWS in 2019, Jill has introduced a series of transformational initiatives that leverage her industry expertise, including the introduction of business planning practices, advisory coaching, member experience research, negotiation of an enhanced strategic partnership with Investia Financial Services and the implementation of a Client Relationship Management (CRM) system. She has also ensured further investment to expand advisory and client support teams, as well as the implementation of business intelligence and analytics to inform evidence-based decisions and business strategy.
As a military spouse, Jill brings first-hand knowledge of military life and its unique circumstances. Before joining SISIP Financial, Jill served in various leadership roles at MD Financial, BMO Private Wealth and Scotia Wealth Management.
Jill is also an accomplished golfer who was recognized and inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. -
FRANK ROCCHETTI
Senior Vice President CANEX, MarCom View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)Frank is the Senior Vice President of CANEX and CFMWS MarCom, where he manages all CANEX/NATEX operations. Frank has a successful record of contributing to the growth and profitability of global retail and wholesale brands, with 15+ years of Executive leadership and 20+ years of marketing, merchandising, store design, e-commerce, retail operations and team building. He held many senior executive roles at leading brands, including DAVIDs TEA, BESTSELLER, Stokes, Point Zero, Group Dynamite, La Senza, and Tommy Hilfiger Canada.FRANK ROCCHETTI
Senior Vice President CANEX, MarCom
Since joining CANEX, his contributions have been felt across the organization. Frank’s positive attitude, passion for service excellence, empathy, creative-solution thinking and leadership have demonstrated his capacity to work collaboratively and drive high performance results. His authentic commitment and passion for exemplifying our corporate values for our members and employees is an inspiration to many. -
DARYL ALLARD
Senior Vice President ad interim, Personnel Support Programs View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)DARYL ALLARD
Senior Vice President ad interim, Personnel Support ProgramsDaryl serves as the interim Senior Vice President of the Personnel Support Programs (PSP) Division at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS). In this role, he leads programs such as Fitness, Sports, Recreation, Messes, Health Promotion and Soldier On contributing to the wellbeing, resilience, and operational readiness of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families.
In nearly three decades with CFMWS Daryl has held progressively senior leadership positions and remains as passionate about transforming evidence-informed ideas into meaningful programs and services for military members and their families as he did on the gym floor in Gagetown in 1997.Daryl is recognized for building strong partnerships across the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, academia, and community organizations. He holds a Master of Arts in Human Kinetics and a Bachelor of Physical Education.
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ANICK CASTONGUAY
Chief Human Resources Officer ad interim View Bio
(SHE, HER, HERS)ANICK CASTONGUAY
Chief Human Resources Officer ad interimAnick serves as Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, providing strategic leadership to HR and overseeing programs and services that support CFMWS employees.
A results-driven HR executive, Anick brings 30 years of experience with CFMWS and deep organizational knowledge developed through progressive roles across all HR portfolios, supporting Headquarters, Field locations and enterprise-wide HR services.
Anick first joined DGPS in 1995 as a Pension and Benefits co-op student, then returned in 1996 as part of the Transitional Staffing team supporting the stand-up of CFPSA, now CFMWS. Since then, she has contributed to key foundational and transformational initiatives, including establishing HR functions for Deployed Operations to support the first employee deployments in 2000, and for SISIP Financial to help integrate a newly acquired team and support the opening of 17 branches.
She has led diverse teams and advanced HR modernization, including HR service realignment and the creation of Centres of Excellence for Payroll Administration and Reliability Screening, improving efficiency, compliance and service delivery.
Recognized for collaborative leadership and employee-focused HR service, Anick brings strategic perspective and deep operational knowledge that enables her to provide practical, forward-looking advice grounded in CFMWS’ history, priorities and future direction. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources and the Certified Human Resources Executive designation. -
DAVE PATEL
Chief Financial Officer View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)DAVE PATEL
Chief Financial OfficerOver the course of his career, for close to 25 years, from EY to BMO, Dave has a proven track record of financial leadership within the banking and professional services industry. His experience spans leadership and strategic direction related to wealth planning, estate, tax, philanthropy and business succession guidance for High Worth clients, change management, financial planning, software changes, new customer relationship management projects and creating new business opportunities with banking business partners.
Along with his passion to foster a collaborative and inclusive one team working environment, Dave is dedicated to exceptional client experience which aligns perfectly with our mandate to providing exceptional member and employee experience.
Dave is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Université du Québec en Outaouais. He is an avid golfer, a former competitive tennis player and coach and enjoys fishing and cross-country skiing.
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TANYA MARCHENKO
Chief Information Officer ad interim View Bio
(SHE, HER, HERS)Tanya leads the IS Division Operations and Strategy & Planning functions, and provides strategic advice to the CEO, ExMB, senior stakeholders and CAF leadership on Information Technology framework and complex organizational issues.TANYA MARCHENKO
Chief Information Officer ad interim
Tanya joined CFMWS in 2000. She began her career as a Webmaster and held various hands-on and leadership roles across the IS Division, including Operations, Project Management and Business Services. For the last 5 years, as the Director IM/IT Strategy & Planning, she has been an integral part of the IS Division management team leading strategic planning and alignment with the CFMWS Strategy. She also led the implementation of several initiatives that significantly modernized and streamlined IS Division frameworks and processes and, in the last year, took over the Cybersecurity Governance, Risk and Compliance function.
Tanya holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. -
DOMINIC MCALEA
Chief Corporate Counsel and Chief Corporate Secretary View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)Dominic is Chief Corporate Counsel and Chief Corporate Secretary. In this role, he provides legal counsel, strategic advice, and guidance to the Executive Management Board (ExMB), the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and other senior executives on governance and our legislative and regulatory mandates. He also oversees Corporate Services, including HQ administration, Travel Services, Environmental Compliance, Procurement and Contracting, Privacy and Access to Information, as well as NPP Real Property.DOMINIC MCALEA
Chief Corporate Counsel and Chief Corporate Secretary
Dominic has decades of management experience with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of Justice, Global Affairs Canada and the Military Grievances External Review Committee. His expertise includes strategic planning, policy development and implementation, developing and promulgating Federal legislation and regulations, criminal and civil regulatory systems, negotiation and deal making at the national and international levels. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his dedication, team building, innovation and managing change.
Dominic’s combined knowledge of, and experience with, the Canadian Armed Forces, Department of National Defence, Non-Public Property and the Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces, as a law and policy expert, makes him an essential asset for our organization. At a time when our organization works to modernize our social enterprise business model that reflect current realities, Dominic’s expertise is invaluable. -
IAN ST-LAURENT
CFMWS Chief Warrant Officer View Bio
(HE/HIM/HIS)IAN ST-LAURENT
CFMWS Chief Warrant OfficerChief Warrant Officer Ian St-Laurent was born in Ste-Anne des Monts and grew up an hour east of Québec City in a town name La Pocatière. He is fluent in both official languages.
CWO St-Laurent enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in January 1990. Following QL3 infantry qualification, he was posted to CFB Lahr with the 3R22R infantry battalion in September 1990, remaining on station in Germany for 3 years.
From 1993 to 2004, CWO St-Laurent was employed in different capacities with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, 3R22R and 3PPCLI as member of a paratrooper company, direct fire support platoon and combat stores man. He deployed in Croatia in 1992, Haiti in 1997, Bosnia in 2000 and Afghanistan in 2001.
He joined CANSOFCOM in July 2004 as a Cpl where he filled numerous leadership positions over the years and deploying on Op IMPACT and Op UNIFIER.
Following completion of his term as CANSOFCOM unit RSM, he is appointed as the new Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Service (CFMWS) CWO.
