The 2026 True Patriot Love Captain Nichola Goddard Women in Leadership Series  

presented by Lysander Funds brought together almost 600 people at events in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax through the month of March. 

Nichola Goddard’s legacy: standing with strong women 

Captain Nichola Goddard was a true example of leadership. As an Artillery Officer, she led her unit through harrowing situations, supported her comrades and was highly respected by her peers. Sadly, in May 2006, she was killed in an ambush in Kandahar, Afghanistan, making her the first Canadian woman soldier to die in a combat role. She was 26 years old. 

 Started in her honour, the Goddard Women in Leadership Series is an innovative, cross-country forum for sharing insight and inspiration between the military and corporate worlds.  

Building bridges and strengthening the community 

The focal point of the series are panel discussions which offer the opportunity to hear real talk from women Veterans and servicewomen, followed by an evening of networking.  

Crucially, the Series also raises funds and awareness in support of True Patriot Love’s Captain Nichola Goddard Fund. The Fund provides direct benefit to community programs across Canada that support servicewomen, women Veterans, and their families and address the challenges of military life. 

“It’s been 20 years since my sister’s death and I’m proud of this legacy. We can see how my sister’s love for her country is being carried forward.” – Kate Goddard 

Here are some highlights and insights from the 2026 Goddard Leadership Series 

Recruiting women to the Forces – and keeping them 

The last official barriers for women serving in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were eliminated in 1989 when combat roles were opened to women, and in 2001 when women were allowed to serve on submarines.  

But several panelists reported that, despite official changes, there were still barriers to overcome. A colonel once told Captain (retired) Leona Alleslev that he wasn’t going to “waste a good evaluation” on her because she was a woman. 

 And work-life barriers remain, pushing many women off their chosen path of serving Canada. 

“There are critical points where the CAF loses women: when you have a child, when you become a caregiver for an elderly parent or when a relationship ends,” says Colonel Rebecca Miedema.  

Her proposition: “Most women who leave the CAF do so under duress – can we offer them a service break so they can come back?”  

Balancing family and service: “You’re always playing catch-up” 

“You’re always playing catch-up, and it goes beyond your family, it’s also with your friends and colleagues,” says Rear Admiral (retired) Jennifer Bennett. “Having others who can help build your support system is really important, and encapsulating is important, too: ‘I’m here and I’m doing this.’” 

Colonel Rebecca Miedema is currently serving as an Army Logistics Officer and at age 47 is a student at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto on weekdays and commuting to her home in Ottawa on weekends. Managing moves and competing priorities go with the territory: to date, she has moved eight times and recalls getting a call from one of her kids asking “Mom, where’s my hoodie?” while she was on duty. 

Captain (retired) Leona Alleslev came from a military family and learned early how to be both resilient and flexible.  

“We were used to our dad being away and we picked up the slack,” she recalls. For family events and commitments, her parents took a pragmatic approach. “My mom said, ‘As long as one person from the family shows up, it’s enough.’”  

She started her own military family with her husband who also served in the CAF. Learning how to make family life work despite the prolonged absences required by service in the Forces – whether hers or her husband’s – also helped Alleslev’s post-service life as a member of Parliament with its particular duties and demands. “Sometimes the job has to come first; sometimes the family comes first.”  

Do women lead differently?  

“Definitely!” says Rear Admiral (Retired) Jennifer Bennett. “Women bring different skills, styles and unique abilities into the organization. Emotional intelligence and ‘feminine’ skills are valuable to leaders. 

“Women also have a moderating influence on mixed teams. When Canada was integrating women into operational and combat roles, it was interesting to be the only woman at the table and other nations took note. Canadian women serve as examples to other militaries and nations where we serve on operations.” 

Breaking barriers to build a career 

Bennett started in the naval reserve in 1975 as a summer student. At the time, women serving in the CAF could only serve in support roles: they couldn’t serve in sea-going occupations or on operations – they couldn’t even go to sea except for special “day trips”. Despite those initial systemic barriers, Bennett went on to benefit from the CAF’s career management program.  

“Career management in the military is different than in civilian careers: other people make decisions about your next job by reviewing your qualifications and mapping out your career path,” she said. “There were a lot of jobs on my resume that I would not have put up my hand to volunteer for. But as you progressed in rank, you were prepared for challenges and jobs at higher levels. Others saw my potential and helped me to thrive by pushing me outside of my comfort zone.” 

 Bennett pursued two concurrent careers as both a reservist and as a teacher and school administrator. She retired from the CAF in 2019, having risen through the ranks to become Canada’s first female Rear-Admiral and first female Chief of Reserves and Cadets, a career path unthinkable when she started.  

“It was a privilege to have seen and influenced significant change.” 

Our thanks to our amazing panelists and moderators! 

Calgary – March 3, 2026  Panelists:  Warrant Officer Nicole Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Deanna Manson CD, M.A., P.Log,Major (Retired)Tanya Thordarson,  Moderator: Linda Olsen 

Halifax – March 5, 2026  Panelists: Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class Cheyanne Delaronde, Sergeant (Retired) Jessica Miller, Commander Teri Share,  Moderator: The Honourable Barbara Adams

Toronto – March 24, 2026   Panelists:  Colonel Rebecca D. Miedema, CD, Rear Admiral (Retired) Jennifer Bennett, Captain (Retired) Leona Alleslev, Moderator: Susan Ormiston 

Ottawa – March 26, 2026  Panelists: Colonel Maggie Jacula, CD,  Honorary Colonel Sandra Perron, MSc, CD,  Warrant Officer (Retired) Sandie Walsh,  Moderator: Rear Admiral (Retired) Senator Rebecca Patterson 

“When you have served your country, and when you leave the military, you want to continue to do something meaningful. You still wear the military like a second skin for the rest of your life.”  – Honorary Colonel Sandra Perron, MSc, CD 

Keep your connection strong! 

 

Thanks to our sponsors and partners 

Presenting Sponsor 

Lysander Funds Ltd.

Trailblazer Partners 

Accenture 

Aurora 

BMO 

CIBC (Regional Host – Toronto) 

KPMG (Regional Host – Ottawa) 

PSP Investments 

RBC Foundation 

Scotiabank 

TD 

WCB/Nova Scotia 

Catalyst for Change 

Calgary Foundation 

For the Soldier Institute 

Media Partner 

Postmedia