Veteran defence industry executive Cara Salci has been named president of Saab Canada effective Sept. 8. Salci has spent nearly a decade in senior leadership roles at Thales Canada, where she now serves as vice-president of growth, industry and corporate affairs. At Saab Canada, she will succeed Simon Carroll, who led the firm for nearly […]
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Veteran defence industry executive Cara Salci has been named president of Saab Canada effective Sept. 8.
Salci has spent nearly a decade in senior leadership roles at Thales Canada, where she now serves as vice-president of growth, industry and corporate affairs. At Saab Canada, she will succeed Simon Carroll, who led the firm for nearly eight years before leaving in March to become president of Newfoundland-based PAL Aerospace.
“Canada represents an important strategic market for Saab, and we are pleased to welcome Cara to lead our Canadian business,” Saab president and CEO Micael Johansson said in a news release on Wednesday.
“Her deep understanding of Canada's defence landscape, combined with her proven leadership, strengthen Saab Canada's position as we continue supporting the country’s security and industrial ambitions.”
Before taking on her current role last July, Salci spent six years as vice-president of strategy and government relations at Thales after joining the firm in 2017 as national director of public affairs and communications.
Salci’s time at Thales coincided with a period of rapid growth at the Canadian arm of French defence and aerospace giant Thales Group.
Thales Canada more than doubled its Ottawa headcount in 2019 when Thales Group acquired Netherlands-based digital security firm Gemalto, cementing the National Capital Region’s status as a major international R&D hub for the French company.
Thales moved its Canadian headquarters from Toronto to Ottawa in 2024 and now has more than 400 local employees.
Saab Canada has a much smaller presence in the region, with nine employees in Ottawa, according to OBJ’s Book of Lists.
But the company, which has been supplying equipment and services to the Canadian Armed Forces for more than three decades, could be poised to play a major role.
Saab is hoping to convince the federal government to buy some of the firm’s Gripen E fighter jets for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s new fleet. The Swedish firm said earlier this month it will work with Canadian company CAE to deliver advanced pilot training, systems engineering and support services for the jets if Saab is chosen as a supplier.
“Saab has established itself as a trusted partner to Canada through innovation, collaboration and a long-term commitment to building Canadian capabilities,” Salci said in a news release on Wednesday.
“I am honoured to lead Saab in Canada during this pivotal time and look forward to working together with our employees, customers and partners to deliver enduring value and capability to Canada.”
Other people on the move
After its acquisition by Vector Capital in May, Corel Corp. has added new members to its executive leadership team. In a press release earlier this month, the software company announced Sathya Jayaraman as chief operating officer and Prashant Ketkar as chief technology and product officer. Both have been with the company for the past five years. Meanwhile, newcomer Tracy Porter-Stevens, who most recently served as head of people and culture at Polygon Labs, will be taking on the role of vice-president of people at Corel.
Ottawa company Jennings Real Estate has promoted Iryna Loshkarova to manager of business operations. In a LinkedIn post this week, Jennings said Loshkarova joined the team in 2019 and has been with the company as a sales representative ever since. The company said Loshkarova will play a key role in advancing business operations and strategic initiatives while positioning the company for further growth.
Revenue marketing consultancy Demand Spring has added a new role to its C-suite. In a press release last week, the firm announced it was bringing aboard Shannyn Lee as its first chief growth officer. Lee brings 10 years of experience in senior marketing and communications roles at Fortune 500 companies and has coached the firm’s sales team. She previously spent four years at Catapult New Business, working with agencies to build business and development programs.
Education-tech company Neuralign has announced eastern Ontario’s Mandi Gosling as its new global ambassador. A communications professional with experience in journalism, arts and entertainment, and live events, Gosling was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. In a press release, she said her personal challenges inspired her to become a neurodiversity advocate. In her new role, Gosling will work with the company to raise awareness of learning differences and support educators and families.
Hats off!
Ottawa’s Free Form Fitness is celebrating 20 years in business. The company was founded by Jean-Luc Boissonneault in 2006 and has since expanded into a chain with four studios across the city. In 2016, Boissonneault sold the company to focus on other entrepreneurial ventures. The company is currently led by CEO Ashley-Ann Lawrie.
Local author Lilly White recently placed third at North America’s largest inspirational speaking competition, Speaker Slam. The 70-year-old, who lives in Almonte, is the author of 10 books, with a 25-year career helping others navigate difficult life transitions. At the competition on July 21, she gave a speech called “Five Minutes,” about the hardest decision she ever made as a mother and had never talked about publicly. White will be competing in the wild-card race for a place in the Grand Slam finals on Nov. 21.
In memoriam
Prominent Ottawa realtor Paul Rushforth died last Friday at the age of 52. Rushforth, a father of three, played professional hockey in North America and Europe before launching his own boutique firm, Paul Rushforth Real Estate, in 2011. He also co-hosted Open House, a real estate show, on CFRA. In a Facebook post, Open House co-host Frank Napolitano said Rushforth left a “remarkable legacy” as a business owner, friend and dedicated family man. “He was a mentor to many, a trailblazer in his industry, and an incredible partner, father, teammate, leader, and friend. His impact on our community and the countless lives he touched cannot be overstated,” Napolitano wrote.
— With additional reporting from Mia Jensen
