Paul Carroll

Paul is the head of Scotiabank’s Global Banking and Markets Business Continuity and Operational Resilience team. He is also the president of Pathfinder Leadership Associates (PLA).

He retired after 24 years of military service in 2016 including 12 years in Canada’s premiere counterterrorism and special operations unit – Joint Task Force 2.

His military training and deployments to Afghanistan, Haiti, Africa, the Middle East and Bosnia have shaped his leadership philosophy which emphasizes humour, humanity, humility and temperance.

Paul holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business and is training for his professional coaching certification. 

david hill

David is a serving infantry officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He has 20 years of experience including deployments to Haiti and Afghanistan and numerous training events in Canada, the US and UK.

He has built/led many teams for specific purposes such as the development of a covert surveillance capability in the Canadian Army and as the Task Force Commander for an operation in Libya.

He has served two tours with the Canadian Special Operations Forces and is a graduate of the US Army Ranger School. David is presently a policy officer in the Department of National Defence.

LISA HYDE

Lisa is the COO of Surgically Clean Air and has over 20 years of experience in finance and funding, business consulting, executive coaching, and sustainable not-for-profit enterprises.

Following a career in commercial finance and business consulting leadership, Lisa co-founded Impact 360 Degrees Inc. to enable Canadian businesses maximize their financing opportunities.

Next, Lisa and her partners launched AssetMine Global Inc. a global financial asset recovery firm with the world's largest database of unclaimed financial assets. Also, she co-founded a charity to assist at-risk youth in Central America and Canada.

Lisa holds an MBA from Ivey School of Business and is a candidate for the International Coaching Federation’s (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC) accreditation.

BRETT NESBITT

Brett is a Senior Associate at PWC and the CEO of Lumen Security Solutions, a veteran-owned company that leverages advanced technologies to generate solutions for the security and defence industry. 

Most of his three decades in uniform was spent in Canadian Special Operations Forces Command with whom he deployed on operations around the globe. Brett has led teams of special operators on numerous military operations in dynamic and hostile environments. He holds a MBA from the Rotman School of Management.

 An active volunteer, Brett is a member of the National Trauma and Tragedy Resource Group’s Advisory Board, and an enthusiastic member of Treble Victor Group. 

nick grimshaw

Nick retired from the Army in December 2016 after 27 years of service.  Throughout his career as an officer in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), he undertook multiple overseas deployments, including time with Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions as a Company Commander during the Afghanistan combat mission and was awarded a CDS Commendation for his leadership during the 2013 floods in High River, AB.  The latter occurred when he commanded the First Battalion, PPCLI from 2012-2014,

Nick holds two master’s degrees from the Royal Military College of Canada and is a graduate of the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College. 

David Calconi

David joined the Army Reserves in 1999 and continues to serve with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, currently at the rank of Master Warrant Officer. As an Infantry soldier David has successfully led teams both domestically and internationally. A highlight for him was serving with a deployed Special Operations Task Force to Afghanistan in 2009.

Bridging his military and civilian experience, David has become a trusted consultant to train and advise organizations to achieve success in the defence and security industry. From weapons procurement to staffing and recruitment of military veterans, David has been recognized for his leadership, dedication, and work ethic. Currently, David is a Training Manager for an international security company.

jane wood

Jane is the Director of Nutrition and VP of Operations at the Lavallee Health Centre, a wellness clinic located in Pembroke, Ontario. Previously she served 14 years in the CAF as a Logistics Officer and reached the rank of Major. In 2006, Jane deployed to Afghanistan and in 2010 she earned a Commander’s Commendation for her role in the Toronto G8 summit.  She spent the last four years of her career serving in CANSOFCOM.

Jane next started her practice in Nutrition and Mindfulness, and earned her Mindfulness Facilitator certification. She devoted her efforts to assisting fellow service members and veterans diagnosed with PTSD.

She is the Chairman of the Board for The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre and she also volunteers at a youth centre.

dave wood

David joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a pilot in 1998 and he has been employed in tactical aviation, search and rescue and special operations aviation during his 20-year career.

David led the expeditionary flight at 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron for two years and deployed to Afghanistan on three separate occasions in a variety of capacities. He was later the second-in-command of the Canadian Special Operations Training Centre for three years where he was oversaw instruction delivered to all personnel of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.

He graduated from Norwich University in 2016 with an MSc in Organizational Leadership – Government, Military and Public Sector as well as the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff Course.

Barbara Roussel-Flight

Barbara is the founder of Propel Strategies, her self-directed venue to influence people and organizations.  As an independent contractor she has participated in over 15 leadership training events as mentor, curriculum writer, and project manager in the past 2 years (from academia and corporate clients to Department of National Defence and NORAD clients). 

As a crown employee she prepared project approval documentation as specified by Treasury Board regulations, delivered presentations to the Army Construction Senior Review Board, and sought approvals for projects up to $60 Million.

As a Canadian Army officer Barabara is proud of her thirteen years of service as certified professional urban planner, infrastructure project manager, and bilingual communications lead (spokesperson).

francis LAPARÉ

Francis grew up in Oka, Quebec which he left to attend the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston. Francis went on to lead a platoon of paratroopers within the Royal 22e Régiment where he deployed to Kabul Afghanistan in 2004. On return, he completed the United States Army Ranger training and then served as a Platoon Commander in the Canadian Special Operations Regiment where he deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan in 2009.

Francis is a Senior Advisor at PSP Investments. He worked at McDonald’s Canada as a project manager and at Dream Unlimited, a Toronto based publicly traded Real Estate Investment firm. Francis has been involved with the Treble Victor Group since 2014.

ALEX HAYNES

Alex served over 25 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer and deployed on missions around the world. His more interesting jobs during that time include two years as an Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General, and time as the Chief of Plans in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command Headquarters. Most recently, he commanded the Infantry School in Gagetown, New Brunswick; an institution known for its grueling courses.

He is currently the Commanding Officer of two reserve units and is also the Operations Manager of PLA. Alex has a Masters in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Mark Popov

Mark joined the Canadian Army in 1991 and joined The Royal Canadian Dragoons as an Armour Officer.  He deployed to the Former Yugoslavia in 1998 and served as an unarmed United Nations Military Observer from 2001 to 2002 on the Golan Heights.  In 2005, he deployed to Kabul as the Second-in-Command of an Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron, where he was awarded a Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation. 

In 2009 he deployed in command of the 250-soldier team to Afghanistan.  He commanded the Royal Military College’s Military Training Staff and the College’s 1200-person student body from 2014-15. 

A lifelong community volunteer, he is a City of Kingston volunteer firefighter. He earned a MBA from Vermont’s Norwich University and a Master’s in Defence Studies.

Eamonn barry

Eamonn joined the army in 1982, was first posted to the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, and soon deployed to Cyprus and Bosnia. Next, he was posted to the Canadian Airborne Regiment and deployed to the Horn of Africa and Rwanda.

Eamonn was then selected to work in Canada’s Special Operations; first at Dwyer Hill Training Center and then in Trenton where he helped establish the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit.

His time in the military ended in 2012. Since that time, he has worked with Thales, Defence Research and Development Canada, and Certified Firearms Training Inc. Eamonn has also worked with Traditional Excellence where he is involved with kids at risk, leadership training and wilderness adventures.

justin yassoub

Justin is the director of All Around Consulting - providing leadership and team development guidance to small businesses and emerging leaders.

After graduating from MacEwan University with a BA in Political Science, Justin worked writing communication strategies and speeches for the Government of Alberta. He always had the urge to serve abroad with the military and in 2012, after a grueling ten-month course, Justin joined the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) as a Special Forces Operator.

He deployed to multiple regions including North Africa, the Middle East and Caribbean. Justin was recently awarded the Bravery Medal for his actions during an international operation.

In October of 2018 Justin was recognized by MacEwan University as a Distinguished Alumni.

CHRIS JEAPES

Chris served in the Canadian Armed Forces for more than 25 years serving in Kosovo, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.  

He has also provided leadership training to junior leaders and assisted in the re-design the Canadian Army junior leadership course which is designed to help mold and mentor the future leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces.

In his spare time he enjoys archery, fly fishing, fly tying and the outdoors. He is a level 3 hockey referee and volunteers mentoring junior referees in order to help improve an often thankless but necessary job.

Martin Kenneally

Martin joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1981 in London Ontario.  He served as an officer in the Canadian Forces for 32 years, including two years as Commanding Officer of Third Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He served overseas on numerous deployments including in Cyprus, Croatia, South Korea, Afghanistan and Israel.

He retired in 2013 and was appointed Senior Director Security and Accreditation for the 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games. Martin has been a strategic planning advisor to the Ontario Emergency Medical Assistance Team since 2017. He also works as a private Security Consultant to energy and mining clients in West Africa and Canada. Martin is a passionate advocate for homeless veterans, for mental health issues and for supporting post-military transition.  

Bob Bérubé

Bob is the Vice President Operations with Scotiabank, leading several highly specialized teams supporting banking operations across Canada.

Bob served with the Royal 22e Régiment and the last decade of his career with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment.  In his last assignment as the senior liaison officer at NATO Special Operations Headquarters (NSHQ) Bob advocated on behalf of the interests of NATO Special Operations Forces within the highest political and military echelons and elevated their importance within the NATO Alliance.

Bob retired from the military in 2014 and in 2016 founded and was the first President/CEO of the Canadian Special Operations Regiment Association, and in 2018 he led the creation and is currently the Chair of the Scotiabank Veterans Network.

Brian macdonald

Brian is the president of AMAN LARA a not-for-profit dedicated to the evacuation of high risk people from nations in crisis. He is formerly the Director of Crisis Management at Scotiabank. After graduating from the Royal Military College, he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment and commanded troops on operations, including twice in Bosnia. Brian then transferred to the British Army, with the 10th Battalion of The Parachute Regiment, and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Subsequently, Brian worked as the Senior Policy Advisor to Defence Minister Peter MacKay, where he was awarded a commendation by the commander of the Canadian Army for his work to ensure our troops received the best equipment during the conflict in Afghanistan.

As an elected official, Brian served 8 years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick and was the province’s first Legislative Secretary for Military Affairs.

He holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics.

JOHN W. MERCER

• President & CEO at Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc.

• President at John W. Mercer & Associates Inc.

• Former CEO at Bangor Metals Corp.

• Former CEO at Knoch Manufacturing Company Limited

• Former CEO at Brute Manufacturing Company Limited

• Former Personal Assistant to the Commander of the Canadian Army

• Former President and CEO at Dundee