The 4th Annual Captain Nichola Goddard Women In Leadership Virtual Roundtable

About the Captain Nichola Goddard Leadership Roundtable

The 4th Annual Captain Nichola Goddard Leadership Roundtable Presented by Enbridge, focuses on a critical leadership attribute needed now more than ever: leading in complex and ambiguous environments. The cross-Canada event will feature a keynote address followed by interactive breakout discussions facilitated by remarkable women from the Canadian Armed Forces and hosted by leaders from the business sector. Building upon successful past events in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver and last year’s virtual event, the virtual guided discussions will examine insights acquired by women service members and consider ways by which these experiences can inform the future of work in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants will gain perspective on leading with clarity during challenging times, and how to develop innovative solutions in ever-evolving circumstances, while also recognizing the unique impacts of COVID-19 on women. The discussion will draw parallels between the military and business landscapes and will examine the challenges faced during uncertain times, providing participants a professional development opportunity that will inspire them and strengthen their resilience.

Learn more about the Canadian Armed Forces roundtable facilitators this year.

Lieutenant-General Frances Allen, CMM, CD

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
Keynote Speaker

Lieutenant-General Frances Allen enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1983. Aftergraduation from Queen’s University in 1987 with an Honours Degree in Statistics, Lieutenant-General Allen completed her CELE Air training in 1988. Following CELE training, her earlyoperational postings were to 764 Communications Squadron, the Canadian Forces School ofCommunications and Electronics in Kingston, Canadian Forces Station Carp and 76Communications Group.

Lieutenant-General Allen has commanded at multiple levels throughout her career includingOfficer Commanding the National Systems Management Centre in Ottawa, at the Aerospace andTelecommunications Engineering Support Squadron in Trenton as well as the Canadian ForcesNetwork Operations Centre and the Canadian Forces Information Operations Group.

Staff appointments have included the Operations Officer for the Information Protection Centre,Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Director Support Operations in theStrategic Joint Staff. On promotion in 2014 to Brigadier-General, she assumed the post ofDirector General Defence Security at NDHQ. Lieutenant-General Allen also served as DirectorGeneral Cyberspace, Director General Information Management Operations at NDHQ and JointForce Cyber Component Commander. She was appointed Deputy Vice Chief of the DefenceStaff after being promoted to Major-General in June 2018.

In July 2020, Lieutenant-General Allen was promoted to her current rank and was subsequently appointed to serve as Military Representative of Canada to the NATO Military Committee inBrussels, Belgium. She returned to Canada in June 2021 to assume the role of Vice Chief ofDefence Staff.

Lieutenant-General Allen is a graduate of Queen’s University, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College and Canadian Forces College National Security Program. She holds a Masters’Degree in Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) and has been invested as a Commander of the Order of Military Merit.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Through the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund, True Patriot Love provides national funding to directly benefit community programs that support servicewomen, Veteran women, and their families. The Fund was established in memory of Captain Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian women soldier to die in a combat role. 

Please click here to make a donation to the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund.

“We started the Captain Goddard Fund to celebrate and serve strong women like Nichola who have the courage to never take no for an answer. They are the servicewomen, female Veterans, and their families, who protect the values integral to Canada and stand on guard for those less fortunate around the world.”

Katherine Rusk, Sister of Captain Nichola Goddard