Executive Committee

The WiDS Executive Committee is a group of passionate volunteers who work together to lead our programs and promote our mandate.

Open Volunteer Roles

Are you passionate about the advancement of women in defence and security? Now is your chance to be a part of a group of driven women committed to creating connections, developing talent, and recognizing excellence in our community. We have a couple of executive committee volunteer roles opening up this Spring.

Ready to apply? Please indicate your interest by sending us your resume along with your answers to the following questions by March 31, 2023:

  1. Which role are you applying for?
  2. What professional experience and personal attributes make you well suited for the role you are applying for?  
  3. What are you looking to gain from this opportunity?  
  4. Do you have previous experience attending our events or volunteering with WiDS? Tell us about it.  

Apply Today

Co-VP, Scholarships & Fellowships    

To provide input to the executive on the strategic direction of WiDS Scholarships application process. Plan the application process for the WiDS scholarship application process. Build a selection committee each year to selector scholarship and fellowship recipients. Communicate with recipients throughout the year.  

Duties/Responsibilities:  

  • Create and maintain a scholarship application process. 
  • Become comfortable with application software 
  • Driving awareness of the scholarship and fellowship programs among key audiences
  • Work with marketing and communications to maintain scholarship website.  
  • Communicate with scholarship and fellowship recipients.  
  • Work with CGAI regarding selection of fellowship recipient.  
  • Communicate with scholarship recipient throughout the year. 
  • Communicate with scholarship recipient to arrange any travel to the WiDS Breakfast. 

Core Skill Requirements: 

  • Leadership and project management experience 
  • Excellent communication skills, written and verbal 
  • Public speaking experience an asset 
  • Works well individually and as part of a team 

Co-VP, Public Sector Relations (DND/CAF)

Promote effective two-way engagement with WiDS that results in: 

  • public sector participation in WiDS, with a focus on DND/CAF - membership and in-person and virtual events  
  • Promote participation in WiDS annual awards breakfast which highlights women in the defence and security sector 
  • successful WiDS programming that supports making connections, developing talent and recognizing excellence.

Establish and maintain the WiDS Public Sector Champions Network 

Duties/Responsibilities:  

  • As a WiDS executive - prepare for / attend WiDS meetings / events including in person and virtual events, mentoring / professional development events and WiDS board meetings 
  • Establish and maintain the Public Sector Network including the following: 
  • select Public Sector Champions within DND/CAF (in consultation with WiDS executive and CADSI) 
  • communicate on a regular basis with the network  
  • provide support to Public Sector Champions so that they in turn can help create awareness of WiDS, participate in WiDS events and promote WiDS events to help ensure high and meaningful attendance 

Core Skill Requirements: 

  • General knowledge of the Defence and Security industry 
  • Organizational skills 
  • “Outreach” / business development skills 

Empowered women, empower us all

Julia Scouten
WiDS President
Department of National Defence
Lorena MacKenzie
WiDS Past President
General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada
Jennifer Capricci
WiDS VP, Public Sector Relations
Correctional Service Canada
Erika Coghill
WiDS VP, Administration
L3Harris
Lisa Dickson
WiDS VP, Sponsorships
Google Cloud
Debbie Goodleff
WiDS VP, Industry Relations
British High Commission
Alessandra Jenkins
WiDS Co-VP, Scholarships and Fellowships
Avascent
Christina Jutzi
WiDS Co-VP, Scholarships & Fellowships
Department of National Defence
Christine Kennedy
WiDS VP, Mentorship
Department of National Defence
Heather Larmer
WiDS VP, Industry Relations
KF Aerospace
Emilie Lessard
WiDS VP, Events
Communications Security Establishment
Morgan Little
WiDS Co-VP, Marketing & Comms
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Dana Mather
WiDS Events Specialist
CADSI
Natasha Sutherland
WiDS Co-VP, Marketing & Comms
General Dynamics Mission Systems
Kelly Williamson
WiDS VP, Strategy
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)

Thank you to our generous sponsors

Patron Sponsor
Parent Organization and Strategic Partner