This story is told through the eyes of 13 former members of 23 Field Squadron. Part war diary, part personal accounts of battle, and part insight on leadership in combat and the human condition, this collection of stories describes in detail what it is like to go war.
Associate
About Shelley
Shelley proudly served the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years in the Royal Canadian Medical Corps and senior leadership positions, building, developing and supporting resilient teams through multiple overseas deployments and in teaching and training capacities. Most recently, she was serving at a graduate-level college, developing leaders for the future of the Forces. She has now transferred to the corporate sector as the Director of Learning and Development for MedCan.
A believer in the power of collective resiliency for better team cohesion and outstanding results, she also started Disciplined Direction Consulting in part to work with the Gasparotto in the delivery of programming and provide the insights gained from being a RBLP-Trainer with others to support others in building and leading resilient teams. Shelley holds several degrees and certifications and was recognized for her career of service when she was inducted into the Order of Military Merit by the Governor General of Canada.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Masters of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Resilience Builder Leader Program – Trainer
PROSCI Change Management
Primary Care Paramedic diploma, Justice Institute of British Columbia
Management Development Studies certificate, Seneca College
Associate
About Markus
Markus has over three decades of experience in National Defense and Security – the preponderance with the Global Special Operations community – specializing in crisis management, readiness and security program management, training curriculum development and delivery, and the leadership of teams that design and achieve mission accomplishment.
He has extensive specialized inter-agency, multi-national, and combat experience in various dynamic, high-pressure, highly-sensitive environments – from the tactical to strategic levels – to add depth and breadth to experience. In this capacity he has formulated comprehensive recommendations to the highest levels of National Defense leadership – most recently promulgating regular correspondence to the US Secretary of Defense, through the Commanding General of the US Special Operations Command and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Qualifications
Bachelors of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University
Bachelors and Masters of Physiotherapy, Université Laval
Associate
About Ely
Ely is a business owner and entrepreneur, running an independent physiotherapy practice. Fascinated by human potential, learning and growth, their practice is based on empathy and empowerment. They strive to create a space where health care is safe, inclusive and accessible.
Ely has also served as an officer and a team leader in the Royal Canadian Engineers and the Canadian Special Operation Forces Command. Specializing in explosive ordnance disposal and the neutralization of weapons of mass destruction, they have had the privilege to train with and mentor soldiers from nations all over the world.
Ely also has a long-term love story with the outdoors, their greatest passion being in the mountains, rock climbing and backcountry skiing in Canada and abroad.
They see their work as a team guide in the Gasparotto Group as an opportunity for co-learning and for everyone to share lessons from their own lives on leadership, team-building, resilience, diversity, and inclusion.
Qualifications
Bachelors of Bioresource Engineering, McGill University
Bachelors and Masters of Physiotherapy, Université Laval
President
Mark Gasparotto — leadership development professional and decorated combat-veteran — is a man for all seasons, combining theory with practice, art with science, and experimentation with reflection.
About Mark
Mark is the President of Gasparotto Group, a boutique consultancy that provides clients with customized, pragmatic, and evidence-based leadership solutions. Mark combines his 10+ years of entrepreneurial experience, 20+ years of uniformed service as a combat engineer officer, and a masters of leadership to deliver impactful and practical leadership insights for over 1000 clients.
A member of the TEC Canada (Vistage) community, Mark was awarded the TEC Impact Speaker Award for 2020. He is the co-author of Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar — now an award-winning documentary film.
Mark has a duty to share his hard-won experiences in the service of building stronger communities. He does that by helping people and teams to struggle well and clear the way — to live, learn, and lead into their potential.
Qualifications
Master of Arts in Leadership, Royal Roads University
Master of Defence Studies, Royal Military College of Canada
Bachelor of Engineering, University of Waterloo
MBTI
EQi 2.0
Lifestyles Inventory and Leadership Workstyles 360° (Human Synergistics)
Management/Leadership Impact 360° (Human Synergistics)
Organizational Culture Inventory (Human Synergistics)
Awards & Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal with Bar
Brazilian Army Medal
Visit the Ontario Regiment Museum Website
Visit the Fanshawe Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) Website
Visit the Human Synergistics Website
Visit the Bytown Ventures Website
Visit the Reticle Ventures Website
Director of Curriculum
With extensive military experience, Anthony brings a deep understanding of leadership fundamentals, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and communication.
About Anthony
With over two decades of decorated military service, Anthony is a proven tactical leader and operational planner. He has served on two operational tours to Kandahar, Afghanistan. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership in combat in 2006 and has served as the lead planner for post-war reconstruction and development operations.
In addition to co-authoring Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar, Anthony continues to publish leadership material in respected academic journals. He holds a bachelor of electrical engineering, a master of science in organizational leadership, and a master of defence studies. He believes in interrogating reality and challenging people and organizations to understand why they do the things they do.
Qualifications
Master of Defence Studies, Royal Military College of Canada
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Norwich University
Degree in Electrical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada
Project Management Certificate, University of Waterloo
Coming Soon
About Paul
Qualifications
Art Director
Sherpa
Simon Wells brings a mix of military, emergency management, and business continuity experience to curriculum development and coaching in Gasparotto Group.
About Simon
Qualifications
Master of Arts, Human Security, and Peacebuilding, Royal Roads University
Bachelor of Military Arts & Science, Royal Military College of Canada
Professional Logistician certification, The Canadian Professional Logistics Institute
Associate Business Continuity Professional certification, Disaster Recovery Institute Canada
Master of Business Administration Candidate, Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University
OTTAWA | MONTREAL | CORNWALL | BROCKVILLE | PICTON | TORONTO
Director of Operations
Shawn is an innovative and experienced leader who is passionate about leadership and developing effective and cohesive teams. He has formed, developed, and led teams for over 30 years, and has a proven record of leading and inspiring people, and building successful, resilient teams of diverse capabilities, and cultivating a culture of trust.
About Shawn
A decorated veteran, Shawn is a transformational, innovative, and experienced leader who is passionate about leadership and developing effective and cohesive teams. As a former Canadian Army Engineer, who, through excellence in skills, knowledge, and demonstrated leadership performance and potential, progressed through the non-commissioned ranks and then into the officer ranks, he has a proven record of leading and inspiring people, cultivating a culture of trust, and building effective, cross-functional teams of diverse capabilities.
Shawn has extensive instructional experience at both the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering and the British Army School Royal Corps of Engineers, where he played a key role in developing, delivering, monitoring and adjusting training to meet the needs of the Army. He has designed, implemented and validated individual and collective training curriculums and courses. His operational experience was key in his capacity as an observer-controller-trainer and exercise developer, to validate the operational readiness of army units prior to their overseas deployment.
A proven problem solver in volatile and dynamic situations, Shawn has considerable international and domestic operational experience and is highly skilled in operational analysis and planning. Shawn’s ability to develop leaders and thier effective, cohesive, and resilient, teams has been proven and tested.
Since leaving the military Shawn has gained significant experience as a project manager and company executive; thereby, developing an understanding of the relevant application of his military experience in the business context and setting. Shawn has successfully transitioned his military skills, knowledge, and breadth of experience into the business and corporate world and brings this to Gasparotto Group.
Education & Relevant Training
Baccalaureate in Military Arts and Sciences
Diploma in Agriculture
PMP Designation (Ongoing)
Certified Engineering Technician
Organizational Behaviour and Leadership
Risk Analysis & Management
President, 44 North Digital Marketing
A driven entrepreneur with a strong leadership background, Corey founded 44 North Digital Marketing in 2015 with the vision of creating an agency that could do it all. Corey is a sought-after public speaker and digital marketing trainer who has spoken to audiences at the Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University Accelerator, Western University Propel Entrepreneurship Centre, the Inspiring Innovation Conference in Collingwood and Unlondon Forward Speaker Series.
Prior to his career in business, Corey served for 12 years as a Combat Engineer Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces. Corey is the recipient of the General Campaign Star, Canadian Forces’ Decoration and Joint Task Force Afghanistan Commander’s Commendation.
CEO, Splice Inc.
Norm is the CEO and co-founder of Splice – a Software and Service company enabling companies to work with the top consultants in their industries.
Norm has held multiple executive roles in Software and Consulting Services companies, giving him experience doing business internationally with leading global companies in multiple industries – Government, Utilities, Health Care, Manufacturing, High Tech, Retail, Financial.
CEO, Ticket Direct International; Co-Founder Ticket Rocket; Director and Co-Owner, Otago Highlanders Rugby Club (NZ)
Matt is a serial entrepreneur with companies around the globe. Starting Ticket Direct 17 years ago it is the biggest ticket agency in New Zealand and has offices in Australia, Singapore, the UK, and North America. Passionate about Rugby, he and his partners own a controlling stake in the Otago Highlander’s Rugby Club, which not so incidentally was Ticket Direct’s first customer. Building on his success in New Zealand, Matt recently started a Canadian venture called Ticket Rocket.
CEO, ADGA
Françoise Gagnon is the Chief Executive Officer and Owner of the ADGA Group of Companies. With over 15 years’ experience, Ms. Gagnon leads an exceptional team of more than 800 engineers and professionals who deliver tailored solutions to the Defence, Security, and Enterprise Computing sections. Since 2014, she has successfully taken the company through a transition in ownership, and accelerated its growth through strategic acquisitions.
Prior to joining the ADGA Group, Ms. Gagnon held several executive roles within the private, public, and not for profit sectors. Ms. Gagnon holds a B.A with Honours from the Norman Patterson School of Public Affairs (Carleton University), specializing in Soviet and East European Studies (1984).
Co-CEO, T-Base Communications
Bruce is the Co-CEO of T-Base Communications, an Ottawa Ontario based firm that provides large enterprises with support in communicating with their blind and low vision consumers. T-Base uses proprietary software to transform a wide range of documents into accessible formats preferred by blind and low vision consumers. As Co-CEO, Bruce oversees sales, marketing and operations.
Previous to joining T-Base, Bruce was a Co-Founder of Gestalt Equity Partners, a private investment firm focused on investing equity capital into a private business and was the Managing Director in Bank of Montreal’s Mid-Market Mergers & Acquisitions group.
Bruce is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a graduate of The Richard Ivey School of Business with a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Business Administration.
Associate
With a rich background in research, medical planning, and clinical support to soldiers, Peter provides the academic link that connects theory with practice.
About Peter
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces as a medical student in 2006, Peter entered active duty in 2010. He has since served in a variety of capacities, including as a Flight Surgeon in direct medical support to Arctic operations, and in coordinating international medical support for soldiers. Most recently, he completed a fellowship in Hyperbaric Medicine at Duke University and serves as a nation-wide Consultant in Diving Medicine for the Forces.
As a physician with a broad foundation in family, sport, and environmental medicine, Peter cares deeply about physical and mental health. Combined with his expertise in public health, he strives to optimize health and performance at both the individual and population levels. His contributions to over 20 peer-reviewed publications, invited speaking events, and mentoring of medical trainees also highlight a personal goal of communicating sound information.
Peter is a communicator, researcher, and clinician who aims to bring evidence-based leadership practices to bear.
Qualifications
PhD in Cellular Microbiology, University of Toronto
Master’s of Public Health candidate, University of North Carolina
Hyperbaric & Undersea Medicine Fellowship, Duke University
Diploma in Sport Medicine, CASEM
Certification in the College of Family Physicians
Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Toronto
Masters of Science in Health Science, McMaster University
Bachelor of Science in Medical Toxicology, Guelph University
Associate
With over 20 years of military experience, Cindy focuses on awareness of the impact individuals can have on a team, on how being accountable helps you thrive as a leader and that building trust is the foundation of any team for success.
About Cindy
Cindy Legarie is an Engineer Officer with over 20 year of experience in the Canadian Army and a Professional Engineer with the province of New Brunswick. Cindy joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997 and has served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan and Ukraine in leadership and planning positions. Cindy complied personal anecdotes from soldiers who served in 2 Combat Engineer Regiment into a book Bridges, Jumpers, Divers and Demolitions: An anecdotal History of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment in time for the unit’s 40th anniversary.
Cindy focuses on personal leadership development by raising awareness of the impact leaders have on their team and being fiercely accountable for their actions and decisions as well as the results and atmosphere of their team. She is believes all teams need to be grounded in a common purpose and the foundation of a good team is trust.
Qualifications
Masters of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of New Brunswick
Certificate in Applied Science and Technology, City & Guilds London Institute
Degree in Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada
