Mayor’s Breakfast with General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier
The Mayor’s Breakfast is one of our most popular events, bringing together the region’s top business, community, and political leaders. This monthly event features valuable networking opportunities, a City Hall update from the Mayor, and high-profile speakers addressing issues that are vital to our city, province and country. Join us and stay informed on key issues impacting the prosperity of our city and get connected with Ottawa’s business community.
Agenda:
7:00 a.m. – Networking and Breakfast
8:00 a.m. – Update from City Hall + Fireside Chat
9:00 a.m. – Event Conclusion
Special Guest: General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier, Honourary Chair of the National Defence Innovation Hub Task Force for Canada’s Capital Region
General (Retired) Rick Hillier was born in Newfoundland and joined the Canadian Armed Forces as soon as he could. Throughout his career he has had the privilege of commanding troops from Platoon to Multinational Formation in Canada, the United States, Europe, and Asia, in peace and in war. He assumed duties as Chief of Defence Staff in February 2005 and retired July 2008.
As noted by the Globe and Mail, “[General] Rick Hillier’s rise through the ranks of the Canadian Armed Forces can be linked to a gale force wind. Few individuals in our history have been as single-handedly accomplished at recrafting the nation’s image”.
Hillier’s leadership was crucial to restoring servicemen and women to a place of pride in Canada and to re-equipping and rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces with the largest and most rapid military procurement programs in our nation’s history, including the C17, C130), Chinook helicopters and Leopard II tanks among others.
Since retirement from the Military in 2008, General Hillier has written several books, Including the bestseller “Leadership Matters”, using his unprecedented experience to help leaders in all arenas navigate through tough economic times and rethink their roles and impacts. He has advised clients such as the French firm DCNS on how to compete for the Canadian Patrol Frigate programme, TELUS on how to rectify their challenges with a Defence Communications contract and many other companies who are mystified and challenged by the complexity of the government procurement process in Canada. In addition, he has advised some of the country’s top companies such as Exxon Mobil, Rogers, TD Bank, Tim Hortons, PACEM Defence and many others on how to better lead in their industry niche.
General (Retired) Hillier remains busy in his post military life, resides in Ottawa with his wife Joyce and enjoys helping Canada in every way possible.