WMN Canada - Women's Mentoring Network Canada

Episode 41 features Crystal Gayed.  Crystal is graduate of Royal Military College, class of 2005.  Crystal earned a degree in Honours Politics, with a minor in Psychology. Crystal began her career as a MARS officer with the west coast fleet transferring to the Public Affairs branch in 2008, where she served until her release in 2016. After her medical release, Crystal completed her Maste...

Episode 40 features Sue Wigg. A graduate of Royal Military College, Class of 1984, Sue earned her B.Eng in Engineering and Management. She joined the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) upon graduation and continued to serve until her retirement in 2016.  Sue's career took her across the country and overseas and back to RMC, as Director of Cadets.  Tune in...

Episode 39 features Jean Traynor.  Jean is a graduate of Royal Roads Military College, class of 1993.  Jean graduated with a degree in Physics & Oceanography.  Jean recently ‘retired’ after 35 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Air Combat Systems Office (aka Air Navigator).  Her career took her to Winnipeg, Alaska, Ottawa and Colorado.  She is now working for Public Service and Procuremen...

Episode 38 features Kristine McGregor (née Beamer).  Kristine attended RMC with the Class of 1994.  After leaving RMC in Dec 1991 she went on to graduate as a Respiratory Therapist and has been working in that field ever since.  Kristine joins us to talk about being in health care through a pandemic, the lessons she learned during her 18 months in the Canadian Armed Forces and how w...

Episode 37 features Cindy Legarie.  Cindy enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997 and studied at Royal Military College in Kingston.  Graduating in 2002 with a degree in Chemical Engineering, Cindy has spent her career as an Combat Engineer with the Army.  Currently posted to Mons, Belgium in SHAPE headquarters, she’s interviewed for the podcast by guest host (also in Belgium)...

Episode 36 of the podcast features Marcelle Laliberté. Class of 1996 in Honours History and Political Science. Marcelle spent 6 years between CMR and RMC, and went on to pursue higher education throughout her career, which has seen her move around the world and most recently graduate with her Doctorate from UPenn. She currently serves as Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at HEC Paris, France...

Episode 35 features Lydia Evequoz. A member of the class of 2008, Lydia graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. Lydia has served as a construction engineer across multiple postings. She’s currently the Wing Commander in Gander, NL. Tune in to hear more about her career and the myth of “planning” a family.

Episode 34 features Diane Kotelko.  Diane graduated from RMC in 1986 with a Mechanical Engineering degree.  As an RETP cadet, she had to find a job after graduation and has been working as a Design Engineer (aka Rocket Scientist) for Bristol (now Magellan) Aerospace for over 35 years. 

Episode 33 features Maj Heather Reibin a graduate of RMC, class of 2005.  Heather completed her degree in Chemical Engineering and now serves as a Combat Engineer for the Army.  Heather’s career has taken her from West to East and she is currently based in Ottawa as Staff Officer to the Army Commander. Tune in to hear about her journey.

Episode 32 features Colleen Hagerty, a graduate of RMC. Colleen is a member of the Class of 1985 with an Honours Economics and Commerce degree. Colleen served until her retirement in 2008 between Reg and Reserve Forces as a logistics officer. Tune in to hear more of her story including her cross-country adventure.

Episode 31 features Col (Ret'd) Nishika Jardine.  A graduate of RMC, class of 1986.  Nishika earned her B.Sc in Math & Physics and served in the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Branch for 37 years.  She is currently serving as the Veteran's Ombud.

Episode 30 features Suzanne Raby, class of 1984. Suzanne graduated with a B. Comm degree and served for 38 years as an army logistics officer with a Transportation specialty. Suzanne is now a Science Fiction author. Tune in to hear her story.

Episode 29 features Sandy Malone. A graduate of RMC, class of 1985 with a BA in English. Sandy served as a Security officer (MP) while completing her mandatory service. She has been an insurance professional for over 20 years. Sandy shares both the ups and downs of her journey.

Episode 28 features Christine Carignan, a graduate of CMR, class of 1992. Christine earned her degree in Business Administration before continuing on for a 29 year career as an Army Logistics Officer. Christine now works alongside her business partner at DIAKI Experiences as a leadership coach.

Episode 27 features Stephanie McFarlane.  A graduate of RMC, class of 1995 in History.  Stephanie served as a MARS officer until her retirement in 2004 when she transitioned to Saanich police.  She is currently a major crimes detective.

Episode 26 features Theresa Winchester, a graduate of the University Training Plan for Members, class of 1986.  Theresa graduated from RMC with a degree in Honours History and served as a Personnel Admin officer until she retired as a Major. Theresa was a women's shelter manager for several years and now works as a travel agent.

Episode 25 features Monica Bobbitt. Monica is a graduate of Acadia University with a BA Honours Psychology.  A writer and speaker, Monica writes the popular blog, A Goat Rodeo, based on her experience as a military widow in Canada. Tune in to hear our conversation about grief and transitions as well as how Monica is currently mentoring - as an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel.

Episode 24 features Kristin Topping, a graduate of RMC, class of 2002.  Kristin has a B.Eng Chemical and served as an Aerospace Engineer for 22 years - including 6 years as a professor at RMC where she was a recipient of the 1965 Teaching Excellence Award.  Kristin suffered a traumatic brain injury that led to her medical release last year, however her resilience is obvious as she talks...

Episode 22 features Kate Vigneau, a graduate of Royal Roads Military College, class of 1988 in Military Studies. Kate served as an Army Logistics Officer (Transport and Finance) for over 25 years including 4 years at the Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway. Kate is also a mother of seven and shares some of the unique solutions she identified to maintain a career throughout motherhood.

Episode 22 features Charity Weeden. Charity graduated from Royal Military College, class of 1996 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She earned her wings as an Air Navigator (Air Combat Systems Operator) and flew on Aurora aircraft in Greenwood.  She successfully transitioned her career towards space, serving as Staff Officer Air & Space operations for the Canadian Defence Liaison Of...

Episode 21 features Catherine Priestman, a graduate of Royal Roads Military College. Cathy graduated with a degree in Military and Strategic Studies, class of 1992. She served as a Logistics officer in the RCAF for 12 years before “retiring”. Cathy immediately went back to school for her MBA and has been consulting ever since. She incorporated her marketing business in 2012.

Episode 20 features Michelaine Lahaie.  Michelaine graduated with a BA - Honours Military & Strategic Studies from CMR, class of 1992. Michelaine retired after 30 years as a MARS (now Naval Warfare) Officer.  Michelaine currently serves as Chairperson Civilian Review and Complaints Commission for the RCMP.

Episode 19 features special guest, Rosemary Park. Rosemary graduated BA(Psych) 1976 from University of Western Ontario as part of the ROTP program and served as a Personnel Selection Officer.  She is currently Project Manager for Queen's University - Servicewomen's Salute Portal project. Tune in to hear about her subpoena related to the SWINTER trials.

Episode 18 features BGen Lise Bourgon. Lise is a graduate of the Business Administration program from Collège Militaire Royal (CMR) in the Class of 1992. Lise was part of the initial group of women accepted into the Pilot occupation and shares some of her experiences with the Sea King community. As incoming Commandant of RMC, Lise brings her unique perspective to this episode.

Episode 17 features Claudia Vachon.  Claudia attended CMR (St. Jean) and RMC graduating in 1997 with a B.Eng in Electrical.  After serving as a Communications and Electronics Engineer in the RCAF, Claudia retired in 2006.  Elle a travaillé comme traductrice et pursuit maintenance un diplôme en enseignement.   *This is our first bilingual episode