Q: Can you tell me a bit about your background and your role at Calian?
NCL: I grew up in the Laurentians in Quebec during the 1960s and ‘70s., I mention this because I believe our life roles and paths are very much influenced by our backgrounds during our formative years. I also believe my focus and success have been influenced by the social and political impacts during that period.
I have college diplomas in Canadian history/political science (Vanier College) and in tourism management (Lasalle College), which developed my business acumen. I also received an executive MBA from McGill University. With a keen interest in quality and always being an avid learner, I also completed an ISO lead auditor training.
I like to do many things and am never one to sit still in my personal life or at work. Teamwork and collaboration have been a fundamental passion of mine. I love to learn and have always found myself rolling up my sleeves to try something new., I came to Calian through the acquisition of HST Group, an Ottawa based management and IT consulting firm where I was responsible for the general office and project management functions (including HR, payroll, accounting functions, proposals and quality assurance). In April 2010, the opportunity arose to apply for a position on the HSSC OSD management team as the Deputy Director, Health for the Health Service Support contract with the Department of National Defence (DND). This opportunity afforded me the ability to work with a well-rounded team and apply my management skills.
Q: How is your role linked with Canadian national defence?
NCL: Since 2005, the Calian health team has been recruiting, hiring, managing and working with DND on workable solutions to augment CAF and DND health care provider staff to meet DND’s medical, mental health and dental clinics’ mission of providing quality health care to serving CAF members and at Cadet summer camps. As the Service Delivery Manager of the Health Care Provider contracts with DND, Veterans Affairs Canada and the RCMP I work directly with members of the customer health services delivery teams and our Calian health team.
Q: How does your role support the security of Canada and the rest of the world?
NCL: I would see my role as being minor from a security of Canada standpoint. However, my role is instrumental in interfacing with the Department of National Defence’s health service delivery teams and understanding their requirements in order to leverage and engage our Calian health team to source and qualify quality medical and dental health care providers to fill vacant positions in medical, mental health and dental care. Quality health care is key to ensuring that our CAF members remain physically and mentally healthy and that they are fit to deploy when needed to perform their duties in service to Canada.
Q: How does it make you feel to know that you are contributing to our national defence?
NCL: Proud and with a sense of achievement—especially when we see our teams’ results in sourcing health care providers who thrive in the CAF clinic environment, one that they were unaware of that it existed. I feel a sense of pride when a health care provider puts on the uniform after being introduced to the role by Calian. I and our Calian health team feel fortunate and honored to work in the service of sourcing, qualifying and providing workable solutions in health care for members who have given themselves to serve Canada and all Canadians.
Q: What is your favourite part of your job?
NCL: Problem solving, working with people, understanding challenges and looking for solutions that will allow us to meet the needs and expectations of our customers and in turn their clients.
Q: How does what you do at Calian fit in with your view of your place in the world?
NCL: That is a particularly good question, and one that I need to spend more time contemplating and exploring. Life truly is a journey and I continue to explore and investigate where I can leverage my knowledge and experience.
At first thought, “in for a penny, in for a pound” comes to mind. I work hard to ensure our customers and team receive quality, fair outcomes and are rewarded for their work. I care profoundly about the people I work with.
Q: What activities do you enjoying doing outside of work?
NCL: Focusing on balancing mind and body, with a healthy dose of competition by participating in a whole host of activities with my family and friends, be it kayaking, canoeing downhill skiing, cycling, yoga, spending time in the outdoors, exploring wilderness trails or attending sporting events such as rugby or Formula 1 racing, then there is always time for a good book.
