1. As you know 51% of the Board membership is comprised of military family members so tell us what is your connection to the military community?

I am proud to be a military family member and have been surrounded by loved ones who have proudly served in the Canadian Armed Forces
for most of my life. My spouse and brother are both current members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), and my father is also retired from the RCN after 29 years of service. My family also comes from a long line of serving military members, including my grandparents who served the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II.

2. What drew you to get involved and volunteer to be a part of the MFRC Board of Directors? What inspires you to continue to be part of the organization?

What drove me to get involved and volunteer as part of the MFRC Board is my desire to help give back to a community that has supported me
all my life. I am so fortunate to have been able to see this organization help so many other military families throughout the years, including myself, my family, and close friends. The MFRC does such wonderful work with the military community and when the opportunity came up I was very excited to have the opportunity to join the Board. Being able to be apart of this community of support and help military families is something really near and dear to my heart. I’m inspired everyday by seeing the impact we have on individuals and the community, and seeing
this impact continues to drive me forward in the great work that we do.

3. Tell us a bit about your life experience, education or work background and how it assists in contributing as a member of the Board of Directors.

My professional background has largely been in Human Resources where I was fortunate to work with some large Canadian retailers for 13 years. My portfolio focused primarily on employee relations, recruitment, employment law and talent management. Most recently, I have shifted gears and had the opportunity to join my family’s small business, helping lead and grow the company over the last few years. I believe my professional experiences have equipped me with the skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to MFRC by providing a diverse perspective and innovative, out of the box thinking, which I believe has and will continue to allow me to make an impact on the Board’s committee’s. From a more personal perspective, being the daughter and a sister to serving members, I have experienced a lot of the military lifestyle and all the highs and lows that it comes with. As a wife to a serving member and with 2 young children, I have also leaned on the MFRC for support and utilized their programs personally. I feel this gives me a unique perspective and insight, which will allow me to be more effective in my role, providing valuable input and bring new ideas to the Board.

Keely is a Navy spouse, the parent to a single serving member, and has a career in Nursing. The Andersons were posted to HRM during the pandemic, & while she hasn‘t yet met the wonderful staff of H&R MFRC, she has used several services from various MFRC’s throughout their time as a military family member. With previous volunteer experience, including in financial & community engagement roles, she is sure to make a strong addition to our Board.

Rhonda is an Army spouse of 15+ years, currently residing back home in Cape Breton after several postings across the country. Rhonda is a college instructor with a background specializing in nursing & health sciences. Her personal values closely align with those of the H&R MFRC, & we are pleased that our hybrid technology will allow for participation from an experienced military spouse residing as part of our Cape Breton military community.

Ellen is a Navy spouse, living in HRM and currently on maternity leave from her Communications position with Halifax Regional Police. With a background in communications, graphic design, and event coordination, we thought Ellen’s passion for projects, recognition, and engagement could bring a fresh perspective to the Board table.

Sarah is a Navy spouse & local entrepreneur, based out of HRM. Currently running her own incorporated business as CEO & Mortgage Broker. Sarah has used many services from the H&R MFRC over the years, volunteers with other community organizations, & with her varied background including sales, marketing, evaluation, training, fundraising, & non-profit management (to name a few), we are excited to bring her experience to the Board.

CPO1 Alena Mondelli joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Naval Radio Operator on 1 November, 1991. On completion of Basic Training, Environmental and Trades training, she was posted to her first ship, HMCS ANNAPOLIS, in 1993. In 1998, after an occupational amalgamation with the Naval Signalman, she became a Naval Communicator. CPO1 Mondelli has served every rank at sea on a variety of RCN ships. She completed her Senior Nav Comm tour with HMCS VANCOUVER, her Operations Chief tour with HMCS ALGONQUIN, she was Chief Nav Comm for Sea Training Pacific, and the Coxswain of HMCS TORONTO. In addition to all the WESTPLOYs, RIMPACs, and multiple other naval operations, she deployed on HMCS PROVIDER for OP FORWARD ACTION, HMCS PROTECTEUR for OP APOLLO and HMCS TORONTO for OP REASSURANCE.

CPO1 Mondelli has had various “in-land” postings, including CFS Aldergrove, CFLRS Saint Jean, CFFS Esquimalt, DFSM NDHQ Ottawa, Language Training Division Esquimalt, RMCC Kingston, the Chief Warrant Officer Robert Osside Profession of Arms Institute in CMR Saint Jean, the Unit Chief Petty Officer of Personnel Coordination Centre Atlantic, and Language Training Division Halifax.

CPO1 Mondelli completed a Certificate in Military Studies and Bachelor of Arts with RMCC Kingston, and completed her Masters Degree in Leadership with Royal Roads University.

CPO1 Troy Beazley enrolled into the Canadian Armed Forces in

Nov 1990. After Basic Training in CFB Cornwallis, he completed his SONAROP training in Esquimalt, BC.

From Oct 1991 to Dec 2005, he was posted to CFB Halifax where he had the distinct pleasure of serving onboard HMC ships TERRA NOVA, GATINEAU, SKEENA, VILLE DE QUEBEC, CHARLOTTETOWN, FREDERICTON and ST. JOHN’S.

During the same period he enjoyed a posting to the Advanced Data Analysis Centre and was among the first group of NCMs afforded the opportunity to complete the Advanced Acoustic Analysis and Passive Oral Listening course in Nowra, Australia.

After CPO1 Beazley completed his Under Water Warfare Directors course in 2006, he was posted to HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN for the second time and deployed as part of Task Force Artemis in 2007. He was then employed at the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School, Canadian Fleet Atlantic and the Personnel Coordination Centre Atlantic.

Completing a year of Second Official Language Training in 2015, he moved on to a year of academic training at the Royal Military College in Kingston, ON for the NCM Executive Professional Development Programme. A quick move to Ottawa followed with a year in the Joint Projects Cell at Chief Force Development.

Promoted CPO1 in May 2017, he was posted to Director Military Careers as a Career manager followed by the exceptional opportunity to serve as Coxswain of HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN and then a TPULT appointment to Director Senior Appointments as the Naval Environment CPO1 Career Manager.

Following the personnel management lines, he was appointed to a PTLT where CPO1 Beazley had the privilege of being the Naval Strategic Readiness CPO1 and RCN Succession Manager – NCM.

Most recently appointed to his current position as Base CPO for CFB Halifax, CPO1 Beazley is excited to serve the Base to the best of his ability and humbled that the RCN has entrusted him with this important position.

Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Kevin Wezenbeek joined the Canadian Armed Forces in May of 1990. After basic training at Canadian Forces Recruit School Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, he completed Performance Oriented Electronics Training in Kingston, Ontario, followed by his Instrument Electrical Technician trades training at Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering in Borden, Ontario. CWO Wezenbeek started his career on the CF-18 Hornet at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta in the summer of 1991. During his 18 years in Cold Lake, he was initially posted to the Base Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Organization, which was subsequently renamed 1 Air Maintenance Squadron. After his promotion to MCpl in 2001, he was posted to 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron and remained there until the Unit was officially retired. He received the privilege of being chosen as a member of the honour guard that returned the Squadron colours to the home city of Oshawa, Ontario. Promoted to Sgt in 2006, CWO Wezenbeek moved to 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

In 2009, he was posted to Ottawa, Ontario and attended a yearlong French course at Asticou in Gatineau, Quebec, during which, was promoted to Warrant Officer in December of that year. After successful completion of the course in 2010, he was employed as Life Cycle Material Manager for the CF-18 Gun System in Ottawa, Ontario.

Promoted to MWO in 2013, he was posted to 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron in Pat Bay, British Columbia and completed tours as the Detachment Air Maintenance Superintendent on HMCS VANCOUVER, where he sailed on both SOUTHPLOY and WESTPLOY.

In 2017, CWO Wezenbeek was chosen as Senior Aircraft Maintenance Superintendent and in June of that year completed a 6 month deployment as Station Warrant Officer at Canadian Forces Station Alert. Upon returning from tour, he filled the role as Acting Senior Maintenance Manager during the transition to the new CH-148 Cyclone Helicopter.

In 2019, he was promoted to his current rank and appointed as the Squadron Chief Warrant Officer at 14 Air Maintenance Squadron in Greenwood, Nova Scotia and also filled the role as Maintenance CAG Chief for the Long Range Patrol Fleet.

In 2021, CWO Wezenbeek was selected for the Non-Commissioned Member Executive Development Program at Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario and completed his Certificate in Advanced Military Studies. Upon completion, he was appointed as the Wing Chief Warrant Officer of 12 Wing in Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

CWO Wezenbeek and his wife Cindy are very proud parents of their two daughters Bianca and Danielle.

CPO1 Cavel Shebib enrolled in the Royal Canadian Navy in 1991 as a Naval Weapons Technician (NWT) in Sydney, Cape Breton. He has had a very busy career and since 2014 alone he completed the yearlong French course prior to sailing for a year each in HMC Ships Fredericton and Ville De Quebec as CSE Chief, followed by an appointment as the Atlantic Fleet Combat Systems Engineering Chief. After being in that position for a year, he was promoted to his current rank in 2017 after which he assumed the role of Honours and Recognition Chief for MARLANT. In 2018 he was appointed as Coxswain in HMCS ST JOHN’S and in Aug of 2020 he was posted to the CWO Robert Osside Profession of Arms Institute in Saint- Jean, Quebec as the ILP and then the SLP Director. Following his two years in Quebec, he was appointed as the Atlantic Fleet Chief in July of 2022.

During his career, he has deployed on several deployments all over Europe and the Middle East including several SNMG1 deployments, OP APOLLO in 2001 and OP REASSURANCE in 2015. He was also involved in OP PERSISTENCE, which was the Canadian Armed Forces recovery operation, after the Swiss Air crash near Peggy’s Cove in 1998. His most memorable deployment was in 2010 where he spent eight months patrolling in the Western Panjwai District of Kandahar Province in Afghanistan as a CIMIC Platoon 2 I/C then I/C.

He enjoys reading, running, is an avid outdoors person and recently completed the Defense and Security Certificate Program through Algonquin College.

MWO Ledgister grew up in Brampton, and Cambridge Ontario. He enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995 as an Infantryman. Upon completion of Basic Training, he was sent to The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle School in Petawawa/Meaford and was posted to the Second Battalion in Gagetown New Brunswick soon thereafter.

While serving with the Second Battalion, he was deployed as part of the Quebec Ice Storm (St. Cesare, QC), and as part of the Canadian Contingent Infantry Battalion NATO ISAF (Bosnia Herzegovina (OP PALLADIUM)). Upon return from deployment in 1999, he was off to the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics as a Supply Technician.

Upon successful completion of his new trade training, he was posted to 1 CMBG and 1 Service Battalion in Land Forces Western Area (LFWA). While with 1 Svc Bn, he was promoted to MCpl and deployed as part of the Logistics Support Group in support of the G8 Summit (Kannaskis, AB), the Okanagan Fires in Vernon/Kelowna BC, and OP ATHENA, Roto 4 (Afghanistan). Upon return from OP ATHENA, he was posted to 1 Military Police Platoon.

MWO Ledgister was promoted to Sergeant in 2006, and posted to the Assistant Deputy Minister (Material) as part of Director General Material Systems and Supply Chain and its Canadian Forces Quality Assurance office. In 2013 he was promoted to Warrant Officer and then posted to 5th Canadian Division, 37 Canadian Brigade Group, and 37 Service Battalion in St. John’s Newfoundland. He participated in sovereignty exercises to Goose Bay, Makkovik, Hopedale, and Nain Labrador. In 2016, he deployed as the Canadian Contingent Supporter to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (OP SOPRANO). After his tour of duty in Newfoundland, he was promoted and posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment as the Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant. MWO Ledgister spent two years with the Combat Engineers and now finds himself at 5^th Canadian Division Head Quarters as the G4 Supply Staff Officer for the Division.

MWO Ledgister, and his wife Marnie have two sons; Tyson and Phillip. He is an avid golfer, and baseball coach. He has also had several success as a Ball Hockey and Baseball coach; both in and outside of the Canadian Forces.

1. As you know 51% of the Board membership is comprised of military family members so tell us what is your connection to the military community?

I have a strong connection to the military community as both my wife and I are serving members in the Regular Force. Being a military service couple, along with raising children in this environment, adds a unique perspective to understanding the needs and challenges of military families.

2. What drew you to get involved and volunteer to be a part of the MFRC Board of Directors? What inspires you to continue to be part of the organization?

I was drawn to volunteer for the MFRC Board of Directors by my connection to the military community as a serving member with a young family. What inspires me to continue is the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of military families, leveraging my unique perspective and experiences.

3. Tell us a bit about your life experience, education or work background and how it assists in contributing as a member of the Board of Directors.

As a professional musician in the Canadian Armed Forces, I’ve had the privilege of serving in the Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Navy, with experience in both the Primary Reserve and Regular Force. My career has included heavy involvement in military sports, affording me the opportunity to connect with military members of all ranks, occupations, and elements. My background includes earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Dalhousie University, and additional studies at Humber College. I’ve had the opportunity to perform on the BBC and CBC as well as with countless musical ensembles across Canada such as Symphony Nova Scotia and the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra. Furthermore, administrative roles throughout my military career in public and non-public finance further equip me to contribute effectively to the Board of Directors.

Shelley Hopkins joined the H&R MFRC in 1994, (called the Shearwater Community Resource Centre at that time). The Centre had just opened and Shelley played a key role as the coordinator for a variety of programs, many of which are still successfully running today, including: youth programming and opening of the Henderson Sweetman Youth Centre, Casual Care Program, Summer Camp, the Before and Afterschool Program and Shearwater Children’s Centre. Shelley moved on to be Assistant Director and then Director of Shearwater Children’s Centre, expanding the license capacity to from 14 spaces in 1994 to 161 spaces by 2008. When the Shearwater Military Family Resource Centre and the Halifax Military Family Resource Centre amalgamated (known as the H&R MFRC), Shelley increased her role and became the Site Manager of the Shearwater site MFRC. In December 2017, Shelley was the successful candidate for the Executive Director position.

Shelley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Studies from Mount Saint Vincent University. The study of children is inclusive of the family, making family support and the MFRC a perfect fit to apply her educational background. She has worked with thousands of military families, and is committed to quality programming and learning. This is evident in her participation on several national working groups including Child Care, Respite and Emergency Child Care, Special Needs, and most recently the Veteran Family Program, which are all opportunities for Shelley to inform policy makers about the local military family experience.

Shelley, grew up surrounded by the military community, including a parent in the CAF, as well as three cousins, one still actively serving. So walking into an MFRC felt like a perfect fit not only professionally but personally. As Executive Director, Shelley is dedicated to families viewing the H&R MFRC as their community centre and using a family centred practice approach to engage families to influence the programs and services offered. She values inclusive practice, reflective practice and positive workplace culture as well as building partnerships with community agencies, civilian and military, so military families are supported in the community in which they live.