{"id":35963,"date":"2025-08-15T06:37:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T10:37:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rmcalumni.ca\/?p=35963"},"modified":"2025-09-16T12:47:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T16:47:58","slug":"rmc-trailblazers-a-conversation-with-lieutenant-general-lise-bourgon-about-leadership-inclusion-and-unexpected-paths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rmcalumni.ca\/en\/rmc-trailblazers-a-conversation-with-lieutenant-general-lise-bourgon-about-leadership-inclusion-and-unexpected-paths\/","title":{"rendered":"RMC Trailblazers: A Conversation with Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon about Leadership, Inclusion, and Unexpected Paths"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Trailblazer Podcast celebrates the accomplishments and milestones of notable alumni of Canada\u2019s Military Colleges and provides a platform for them to share their stories and contribute to building future leaders for Canada and the world.<\/em><\/p>\n

We sat down in late June with Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon who recently retired as Chief of Military Personnel and Commander of Military Personnel Command to discuss a 38-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces marked by groundbreaking achievements and dedicated service.<\/p>\n

A pilot, a commander, and a champion for inclusion, Lise began her journey through the Regular Officer Training Plan in 1987, graduating from Coll\u00e8ge Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean in 1992. She attended military college for the free education. \u201cI was never supposed to have a career in the military. I was supposed to [do my five years and] quit,\u201d Lise reflects. \u201cEvery posting, every opportunity was a short-term posting\u2026 I just simply forgot to quit or had too much fun.\u201d What started as a path to earn a degree evolved into a remarkable military journey that saw her become the first woman to command both a helicopter squadron and a wing in the Royal Canadian Air Force, and the first woman to lead a Canadian combat mission overseas.<\/p>\n

When asked about stepping into roles under intense scrutiny, Lise shares, \u201cEvery time you feel like you\u2019re under a microscope\u2026 The second question was always the self-doubt. Am I being chosen because I\u2019m good or because I am a woman?\u201d She credits her success to perseverance: \u201cAt the end of the day, you gotta stick and say, listen, it\u2019s because I\u2019m good and I can do this and I am not going to fall on my face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her operational experience includes commanding Joint Task Force Impact in Iraq in 2015, an environment far from her comfort zone as a maritime helicopter pilot. She recalls, \u201cI\u2019m like a fish outside of water here\u2026 The only way of being successful is to surround yourself with people that are completely different than who you are and to listen to them\u2026 That\u2019s really what I learned in that tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lise\u2019s leadership philosophy evolved from a mission-first focus to a \u201cpeople-focused leadership,\u201d grounded in the belief that \u201creadiness is built on people.\u201d She explains, \u201cThe sooner that we realize that people are the foundation to everything we do, then you kind of adapt your leadership to look at the people\u2026 Mission always needs to come first, but how do we ensure that we have the people to do this mission?\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Canadian Armed Forces face an ambitious expansion, she emphasizes the importance of connecting with communities to attract new recruits. \u201cWhen you look at stats, 50% of the people coming in the CAF are coming because they know someone in the CAF or they\u2019ve talked with someone.\u201d She describes wishing she could get out there and talk to all the parents (all the moms, especially) so that, when their kid gets inspired by an airshow, say, they are primed to say: yes, this is something you could do.<\/p>\n

Lise knows that another solution to Canada\u2019s recruitment needs is to advance equity and inclusion. She stresses that inclusion \u201cis not about taking something away from men\u2026 It\u2019s to ensure that everyone has the same chance of success.\u201d Lise describes the Canadian Armed Forces as \u201cdesigned for men by men\u2026 but we need to evolve that because there\u2019s a lot more people that we need to include.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking to the future, Lise offers a message to the next generation of military leaders: \u201cFailing is part of growing up, is part of life\u2026 We need to learn to fail and we need to get up again\u2026 We need to take those shots\u2026 It\u2019s okay. It\u2019s not the end of the world<\/p>\n

Reflecting on her remarkable career, Lieutenant-General Bourgon shares wisdom that blends humility, strength, and optimism. \u201cWe are much better than we think we are. And we\u2019re going to surprise ourselves by just trying.\u201d<\/p>\n

To listen to the RMC Alumni Association Trailblazer podcast with Lise Bourgon, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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