Gordon Youngs on

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Curious, kind, and authentic executive leader with 29+ years of experience navigating complex human and operational challenges within the Canadian Armed Forces.

About

Curious, kind, and authentic executive leader with 29+ years of experience navigating complex human and operational challenges within the Canadian Armed Forces. Guides culture, people strategy, and change leadership using the principles “Stay Curious. Be Kind. Lead Authentically.”

  • 15 years' experience
  • Joined June 2026

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • FrenchAdvanced

Industry experience

  • Government
  • Education
  • Professional Services
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Other
  • Healthcare

Work experience· 11 roles

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) – Air Staff HQ (Senior People & Culture lead equivalent) · RCAFJun 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 6 mos

Served as the primary strategic partner to executive command teams. Provided high-level counsel across professional development and welfare for 1,400+ personnel, and strategic guidance for units totaling 950+ members. Led stakeholder alignment, change management, and strategic advisory in support of operational and people-culture priorities, including labour & employee relations, psychological safety, conflict resolution, succession planning, and organisational culture health. Oversaw OHS and contracts administration within a $6M portfolio and budget oversight of $2M. Delivered communications as a globally recognized podcast host and bilingual keynote speaker (English/French).

Squadron Warrant Officer – 412 Squadron (Senior People & Culture lead equivalent) · RCAFJun 2021 – May 2023 · 2 yrs

Led cultural health and operational readiness for a squadron of 300+ technical personnel. Managed complex dispute resolution and performance management frameworks while balancing institutional standards with a “people-first” leadership approach. Coordinated people strategies with senior boards and external agencies aligned to operational mandates.

Appointed OHS Representative · RCAFJun 2021 – May 2023 · 2 yrs

Acted as the formal lead for Occupational Health & Safety at Air Staff HQ. Conducted risk assessments and ensured compliance with federal safety regulations for a diverse workforce.

Strategic Executive Advisor · RCAFJun 2021 – May 2023 · 2 yrs
Career Manager · Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaJan 2021 – Mar 2024 · 3 yrs 3 mos
Career Manager – Military Personnel Command · Canadian Armed ForcesJul 2017 – Jul 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo
Deputy Technical Authority CF-18 (Structures) · Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) – CF-18 Hornet Fleet, Gatineau, QC, CanadaJul 2017 – Jan 2021 · 3 yrs 7 mos
Technical Project Manager / Deputy Technical Authority · RCAFJul 2014 – Jul 2017 · 3 yrs 1 mo

Education· 8

Master of Arts in Leadership · Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, Canada2030 – 2026
Advanced Leadership Programme · CW Outside Institute, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, Canada2030 – 2026
Officer Professional Military Education Certificate · Royal Canadian Air Force Academy, Kingston, ON, Canada2007 – 2026
Aircraft Structures Technician Diploma · École Nationale d'Aéronautique du Edouard Montpetit, Saint-Hubert, QC, Canada2000 – 2011

Certifications and awards

Officer Professional Military Education Certificate2007 – 2026
Aircraft Structures Technician Diploma2000 – 2011
Master of Arts in Leadership2030 – 2026
Advanced Leadership Programme2030 – 2026

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