Christyn Cianfarani is President and CEO of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), where she leads the national business association representing the interests of more than 900 member companies that employ more than 60,000 Canadians and generate $10 billion in annual revenues.

She is responsible for creating an environment that showcases members both in the marketplace and with government stakeholders in support of domestic and international growth.

Ms. Cianfarani served in the Royal Canadian Navy for six years before moving to Canada's aerospace, defence and security industries, where she has blazed a trail for women over the last two decades. During her 17 years at CAE Inc., she held leadership positions in strategy, business solutions, government relations, research and development, and intellectual property.

In 2013, Ms. Cianfarani was the only woman to be named to the Government of Canada-commissioned Jenkins panel on military procurement, which has played a significant role in shaping modern Canadian defence procurement policy. She joined CADSI as its President and CEO in September 2014.

A champion of diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, Ms. Cianfarani has prioritized female representation on CADSI’s Board of Directors. Under her leadership, representation rose from zero to 30 per cent and in 2018, she was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Ms. Cianfarani is a member of Canada's Defence Industry Advisory Group and is considered an expert in Canadian defence procurement policy. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree from the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC).

She is fluent in both official languages of Canada.

About / Executive Team

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Executive Team

Christyn

Cianfarani

Nicolas

Todd

Patrick

Girard

Steven

Hillier

Lesley

Musker