WMN Canada - Women's Mentoring Network Canada

Epizode

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  Ep 066: 22461 Claire Bramma 20.06.2025 30min

  Episode 66 features Claire Bramma, graduate of RMC, class of 2002 in Civil Engineering. Initially serving as a Combat Engineer, she commanded troops in Edmonton, studied in England, and held key positions at various units. Her deployments included Afghanistan and Haiti, where she gained experience in counter-IED operations and humanitarian disaster relief. She progressed to Lieutenant Colonel, serving as Commanding Officer at MCE and Deputy Director of Current Operations at Strategic Joint Staff Ottawa. In 2020, she made a significant career change, transferring to the Royal Canadian Chaplain Service as a Captain. She completed her Master of Divinity and is currently serving as a Chaplain at CFB Kingston. Claire is passionate about true love, holistic well-being, and teamwork. Tune in to hear about her experiences.
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  Ep 065: 19001 Michelle Adams 17.01.2025 1h

  Episode 65 features Michelle Adams. Michelle began her career at Royal Roads Military College graduating from RMC with a degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering in 1993. Michelle served in the Navy as Combat Systems Engineer. She returned to RMC’s Environmental Services Group, as a civilian Project Engineer, and joined the Reserves to complete her Masters in Chemical Engineering also at RMC. In 2002 she began working towards her PhD, completing in 2006. Since 2008, she has been a professor at the School for Resource and Environmental Studies at Dalhousie University. Tune in to hear about the adventures that she’s had as she’s navigated her unique path!
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  Ep 064: 14396 Kathleen Beeman 13.12.2024 42min

  Episode 64 features Kathleen Beeman. Kathleen is a graduate of Royal Military College, class of 1984. Kathleen received her BA in Economics (Commerce). Upon graduation she served as a Logistics Officer with a Finance specialty.. Kathleen was a Squadron Commander at Royal Roads Military College. After releasing from the CAF, Kathleen took her MBA at the University of Ottawa and had a varied career in the private sector. Today Kathleen buys run down houses and brings them up to code so they can be rented at reasonable rates, when she’s not working on her farm! We talk about the many different roles she’s had throughout her career.
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  Ep 063: RAdm (Ret'd) the Hon. Rebecca Patterson, Senator 08.11.2024 45min

  Episode 63 features Rear-Admiral (retired) the Honourable Rebecca Patterson, Senator for Ontario. Senator Patterson served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 34 years, enrolling as a Critical Care Nursing Officer in 1989 after obtaining a Niagara College Diploma in Nursing. A BScN/PCNP certificate (Summa Cum Laude) from the University of Ottawa soon followed, as did an occupational transfer to Health Services Operations Officer. A Certified Health Executive with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and a graduate of the CF Command and Staff College Advanced Military Studies Course, Senator Patterson is now the first woman to be a military veteran and be appointed to the Senate. Tune in to hear about her career and the type of work she does as a Senator. We also discuss the idea of a career manager during the transition from military to civilian life and work.
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  Ep 062: 18668 Geneviève Bonin 18.10.2024 39min

  Episode 62 features Geneviève Bonin, a graduate of Royal Military College in the class of 1993. Geneviève began her studies at CMR in St. Jean, moving to Kingston to complete her B.Eng in Chemical and Materials Engineering. She was commissioned as a Naval Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. Her path took her from the Navy to business school at the University of Ottawa, where she completed her MBA. As a professional management consultant, she has led numerous management consulting practices within top firms including BCG, McKinsey & Company and PwC. Geneviève also focuses on various philanthropic missions to support serving members, veterans and their families. Tune in to hear more about her fascinating career journey and her advice on getting involved.
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  Ep 061: 18810 Nancy Taber (née Callard) 21.09.2024 39min

  Episode 61 features Nancy Taber (née Callard). A graduate of Royal Military College, class of 1993, Nancy studied Politics earning her Bachelor of Arts. She trained and deployed as an Air Navigator in the Sea King community serving on board HMCS Iroquois, HMCS Athabaskan and HMCS Toronto. Nancy earned her Master of Education in Adult Education at Mount St Vincent University and completed her PhD at the University of South Australia. Nancy is a professor at Brock University with a research focus on gender, militarism and learning. Nancy has published journal articles and book chapters in her research area and has also published short stories. This year, her debut novel was published. Tune in to hear about her unique career journey and how her research led to her first novel, A Sea of Spectres.
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  Ep 060: Special Guest - Shannon Parker 07.06.2024 29min

  Episode 60 features special guest, Shannon Parker. Shannon graduated from University of Regina with a Bachelors degree in Anthropology, and the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelors degree in Education. After teaching high school for 6 years, Shannon became a police officer with the Saskatoon Police Service. She retired 2 years ago and joined Deloitte as a Director for their cybersecurity practice. Tune in to hear about some of the experiences Shannon has had including as a former chair of the National Cyber Council for Canadian Law Enforcement.
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  Ep 059: 22464 Melanie Lake 24.05.2024 40min

  Episode 59 features LCol Melanie Lake. A graduate of RMC, Class of 2002. Melanie studied Chemical Engineering. While originally enrolled in the RCAF, she switched early and was trained as a Combat Engineer. Currently the CAF Senior Advisor to Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security. Melanie was Commander of a Task Force in Ukraine on the last complete rotation before full scale war. Tune in to hear about her unique journey.
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  Ep 058: 18167 Kathy Litalien 04.05.2024 34min

  Episode 58 features Kathy Litalien. Kathy entered CMR at 16 and graduated in 1992 from RMC with her Honours Economics & Commerce degree. Kathy was an Army Logistics officer who has continued to reinvent her career across continents, companies and industries. Tune in to hear about her newest adventure as a franchise owner and the advice she shares about starting at the bottom.
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  Ep 057: 21845 Kelly Williamson 08.03.2024 35min

  Episode 57 features Capt(N) Kelly Williamson. Kelly is a graduate of Royal Military College, class of 2000. Kelly studied Military & Strategic studies completing her B.A with a minor in Military Psychology and Leadership. She also continued into a Master’s program at Carleton University completing a Master of Arts in Communications in 2002. Kelly began her career as a MARS officer (now Naval Warfare Officer) completing her Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate and her Naval Officer Professional Qualification as well as her Above Water Warfare Qualification. In 2009, Kelly made an occupational transfer to Public Affairs. Kelly has continued to grow her career in the Public Affairs branch and currently serves as Director General Coordination Strategic Joint Staff Headquarters Commanding Officer and Public Affairs Branch Advisor. Tune in to hear about Kelly’s journey and some great thoughts on reverse mentorship.
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  Ep 056: E11119 Anne Reiffenstein 16.02.2024 54min

  Episode 56 features Anne Reiffenstein. Anne took a different route to military college, entering as a Captain and graduating with her BMASc in 2000. Anne joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989. She served as an Artillery officer until her retirement in 2018. While getting a later start in her educational journey, Anne continued to learn and teach. Tune in to hear about the opportunities she had for teaching and her current role as a Doctoral Student in Business Administration.
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  Ep 055: 15946 Jill Carleton 29.01.2024 1h 7min

  Episode 55 features Jill Carleton. Jill attended Royal Military College in Kingston and graduated in 1987 with a BA in Honours Economics & Commerce. Jill was commissioned as a Naval Logistics officer upon graduation. Jill served aboard HMCS Preserver and HMCS Terra Nova. Upon her retirement from the regular force, Jill joined the Public Service and continued to serve. She worked in multiple organizations from Pension Plan to CHFA Strategic Planning. In retirement Jill is still an active volunteer in multiple organizations. Tune in to hear some of her wisdom from across her experience.
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  Bonus Episode 054: Sam Chung & Elletourage 18.12.2023 22min

  Today’s episode is a bonus, featuring our first ally. Sam Chung has founded a women-only mentorship, coaching and advisory platform centred on equity, access and self-advocacy called Elletourage. We're partnering with Elletourage to support equitable pathways of learning and growth for women veterans. Elletourage provides a platform for connection between community members that are looking for more formal mentorship, sponsorship, advisory and coaching. This partnership will also help support the podcast with a portion of member revenue going back to WMN Canada. Use referral code WMN24 to sign up at https://elletourage.com/register.
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  Ep 053: 14451 Theresa Towns 26.11.2023 33min

  Episode 53 features Theresa Towns. A graduate of Royal Military College, class of 1984. Theresa earned her B.A - Commerce and began her career as a Logistics Officer (Supply) in the Air Force. Tune in to hear about the different transitions in her career and life, from the military to day care to library.
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  Ep 052: 22403 Dr. Erin White 10.11.2023 32min

  Episode 52 features Dr. Erin White, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Royal Military College class of 2002. Erin was commissioned as an Air Navigator and later enrolled in the MMTP to become a physician. Tune in to hear about her career transition, her thoughts on mentorship and why it matters to have leaders who look like us.
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  Ep 51: 23949 Sarah Lemay 13.10.2023 46min

  Episode 51 features LCol Sarah Lemay. Sarah is a graduate of RMC class of 2008 in Chemical Engineering. She began her studies as a prep in CMR, St Jean. After earning her commission she started her career as deputy SAMEO at CFB Valcartier as part of the Tactical Aviation community. With a spouse serving in the Army, Sarah talks about some of the challenges and opportunities she has navigated - resulting in 7 postings in the 15 years since graduation. Tune in to hear some great advice for approaching mentorship and life.
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  Ep 50: Special Guest - Dr. Karen Breeck 10.09.2023 50min

  Episode 50 features a special guest, retired flight surgeon Dr. Karen Breeck. A graduate of Memorial University in Newfoundland, Karen was recruited into the forces through the Medical Officer Training Plan during her first year at Med School. Tune in to hear more about her career and her current activities as an advocate for Veteran Women’s Health. We are dedicating this episode to a colleague and friend we shared more than 20 years ago, Capt Juli-Ann (Jules) MacKenzie, RRMC Class of 1995.
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  Ep 049: 23934 Julianna Fudge 21.04.2023 29min

  Episode 49 features Julianna Fudge. A graduate of RMC, class of 2008. Julie began her career at CMR before moving to RMC to study Civil Engineering. Julie has served as an engineering officer in Gagetown, Ottawa and Petawawa. She completed a post grad in Geodesy and Geomatics at UNB and has applied this in 2 postings to Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa. Julie talks about her career and how she transitioned male to female while continuing to serve.
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  Ep 048: 19526 Tracy-Anne Versteeg 03.03.2023 36min

  Episode 48 features Tracy-Anne Versteeg. A graduate of the Class of 1994, Tracy began her studies at Royal Roads and completed her B. Eng in Chemical and Materials Engineering at RMC. She was commissioned as a Marine System Engineer completing her training service and serving on multiple ships. She has also done tours at CF Naval Engineering School, CF Recruiting Centre Hamilton,NDHQ, and as Deputy Base Support Group Commander at ISAF HQ, Kabul.
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  Ep 047: 18858 Trish Loye 16.12.2022 46min

  Episode 47 features Trish Loye. Trish is a graduate of RMC, class of 93. She graduated with a BSc in Honours Physics. Having completed the RETP program, Trish served as a Signals officer for 1 year in the reserves before moving to Calgary to complete her Masters in Medical Physics. Trish is now a successful author of Military Romance and Urban Fantasy. Tune in to hear about her career transitions. Trigger warning: This episode includes reference to sexual assault.