Leadership and Sacrifice: Reflections from the 2025 Goddard Leadership Series
Sacrifice is at the heart of leadership.
This sacrifice is exemplified by Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian woman leader killed while serving in a combat role. Her legacy is one of courage, commitment, and the willingness to put service above self.
While she made the ultimate sacrifice, women in leadership—both in the military and beyond—often make profound sacrifices for the greater good.
In the 2025 Goddard Leadership Series, servicewomen and Veterans in four cities across Canada shared their experiences, their sacrifices, tough lessons learned and their accomplishments, standing with pride with their sisters and brothers in arms.
Panelists reported the perpetual shift between mission success and personal costs, often at the expense of time with family, well-being and close relationships.
The overarching theme among both Veterans in the civilian sector and those still serving is that leadership, in both military service and the corporate world, demands resilience and commitment.
Insights from leadership’s frontlines
“I was told, “You’re starting with two strikes against you: you’re a woman and you’re in a support position.” I learned to baffle them with excellence so they couldn’t complain.”
– Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Shelley Lamothe
“I tried to be “one of the boys” and for a while I was an inauthentic leader. When I served with Nichola I told her, “Don’t smile so much – they won’t take you seriously.” But of course they took her seriously because she was a brilliant professional. She knew leadership is a team sport.”
– Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Anne Reiffenstein
“The key is getting very comfortable in the uncomfortable zone: you think you’re going to sink, but someone else thinks you can swim. And it is so rewarding to go on and teach someone else to swim.”
– Lieutenant Colonel Joanne (Jo) Schmid
Bravo Zulu and thank you to our incredible panelists!
Ottawa: March 18, 2025
Panelists: Chief Petty Officer First Class Line Laurendeau, Headquarter Chief Warrant Officer, Canadian Armed Forces; Leah West, Veteran; Colonel Jennifer Causey Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, 4th Canadian Division Army Division Headquarters
Moderator: Amy Meunier, ADM Veteran Affairs
Toronto: March 25, 2025
Panelists: Lieutenant Colonel Joanne (Jo) Schmid, Military Faculty – Joint Command and Staff Programme, Canadian Forces College; Lieutenant (Navy) Ciara Murphy, Staff Officer, HMCS York; Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Shelley Lamothe – Director of Learning and Development, Medcan
Moderator: Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Anne Reiffenstein
Calgary: April 1, 2025
Panelists: Lieutenant Colonel Melissa Snook, Commanding Officer of 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron; Major Julie Helferty, 41st Service Battalion; Lieutenant (Navy) (Retired) Wenshuang Nie
Moderator: Linda Olsen
Halifax: April 3, 2025
Panelists: Captain (Navy) Annick Fortin, Base Commander, CFB Halifax; Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Joanne Seviour; Captain Sarah Gray, Halifax Rifles
Moderator: Karen Adams
Beyond the panel and podium: supporting the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund
The Goddard Leadership Series is more than a dynamic discussion with inspirational leaders – it raises vital funds for innovative programs across Canada.
Here are just a few of the programs that donors like you help support:
- Guitars for VETS Women Rock and Write Recovery Workshop brought women Veterans and military members together with artists, musicians, songwriters and producers for an inspiring weekend of creativity and healing through music.
- Women Warriors Healing Garden offers women Veterans access to programs like beekeeping, equine-assisted psychotherapy, in-person and virtual art therapy, nature-based and creative workshops, and movement-based workshops like gentle yoga.
- Up to 35% of Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans live with the painful after-effects of concussion. Concussion Legacy Foundation Canada’s Empowering Female Veterans campaign will ensure that CLFC’s mental health and brain injury interventions reach Veterans across Canada.
True Patriot Love is proud to invest in these and many other programs that support health, connection and purpose for Veterans, servicepeople and their families. To make a donation to the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund, click here.
For further exploration and inspiration
- As part of the Goddard Leadership Series, True Patriot Love livestreamed a Fireside Chat with Able Wren (ret’d) Gwen Settle and Chief Warrant Officer (ret’d) Shelley Lamothe. It’s a multi-generational conversation about Canada’s military from the perspective of decorated women who served on the frontlines and on top-secret assignments. Click to learn more and watch the recording.
- Get a perspective on leadership from a corporate lens in our interview with Maryia Tirskikh and Karen Steinmann, Associate Vice Presidents on the National Accounts team at Lysander Funds Ltd., the national presenting sponsor of the 2025 Goddard Women in Leadership Series.
- Read “A Journey in Self-Reflection for the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow”, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret) Shelley Lamothe’s thoughtful article for the Canadian Military Journal.
- For inspiration in your earbuds, check out True Patriot Love’s For Her Country podcast series featuring a dozen interviews with servicewomen and Veterans who served with distinction in demanding and often dangerous circumstances.
Our thanks to these visionary supporters of the 2025 Goddard Leadership Series
National Presenting Sponsor
Lysander Funds Ltd.
Toronto Regional Sponsor
CIBC
Halifax Regional Sponsor
Commissionaires
Trailblazer Partners
Accenture
Aurora
RBC Capital Markets
RMC Alumni Association
Scotiabank
TD
Catalysts for Change
BMO
Lifemark Health Group
PSP
Media Partner
Postmedia
