Our Team
Joseph Varner
Deputy Director – Conference of Defence Associations
Joe Varner is a past Adjunct Scholar at West Point’s Modern War Institute and is author of “Canada’s Asia-Pacific Security Dilemma.”
He served as Senior Adviser and Director of Policy to the Minister of National Defence and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada the Hon. Peter MacKay from 2008 to 2014.
Varner also served as a faculty member with the American Military University from 2002 to 2009 and again from 2015 to 2019 specializing in teaching homeland security and intelligence studies. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Royal Asiatic Society of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and a member of the International Institute of Strategic Studies.
Joe has been published by the MacDonald-Laurier Institute, Mackenzie Institute, the Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden, Prospect Foundation in Taiwan, Kajima Institute in Japan, Modern War Institute, and Heritage Foundation in the United States.
Varner’s operational experience is rooted in his service as a Reserve Infantry Officer, where he served as a Platoon Commander, Assistant Adjutant, Company Second-in-Command, and Intelligence Officer, West Nova Scotia Regiment.
Varner holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Acadia University.
Jennifer Giguere
Director, Strategic Relations and Business Operations
Jennifer Giguere is the Director of Strategic Relations and Business Operations at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute. With over 20 years of leadership experience across business operations, stakeholder engagement, and strategic programming, she plays a key role in advancing Canada’s defence and security priorities through national initiatives and cross-sector collaboration.
Jennifer leads efforts that connect government, industry, the military, and academia—building partnerships, overseeing high-impact programming, and aligning organizational strategy with mission-driven outcomes. She also leads the Institute’s business operations, ensuring organizational efficiency through strategic planning, process optimization, financial oversight, and internal systems development. Her ability to connect strategic vision with operational execution supports the Institute’s long-term sustainability and impact.
Over the past decade, Jennifer has focused exclusively on the defence and security sectors, supporting institutional growth, business development, and strategic relations. Before joining the CDA Institute, she was Director of Domestic and International Events at the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), where she led major initiatives across Canada and abroad, including CANSEC—Canada’s largest defence and security exhibition and one of the top five globally.
Valerie Aji, CPA, CMA
Financial Officer and Treasurer, CDA & CDA Institute
Valerie Aji is a Chartered Professional Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in accounting, Canada and USA in diverse business industries, mainly non-for-profit sector.
Valerie has joined CDA in 2018 and as a dedicated and detail-oriented accounting professional she has been meeting the accounting needs for CDA, Able to identify and implement process improvements that improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. An energetic, motivating, and Effective communicator.
Valerie has a Bachelor of Commerce – Accounting Option – University of Damascus, Syria.
Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant – CPA, CMA Ontario – 2012
Pauline Baudu
Director – Climate Security Programme
Pauline Baudu manages the CDA Institute’s Climate Security Programme, including its annual Montreal Climate Security Summit. She has extensive research experience, as a consultant and academic, in advising policymaking and defense circles on the climate/security nexus, with a particular focus on the Arctic region and on NATO’s climate-security action. She is a member of the NATO Research Task Group on the Effects on Climate Change on Security, coordinates the Climate Security Association of Canada, and participated in the consultation process to inform the creation of NATO’s Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at Université du Québec à Montréal.
Prior to joining the CDA Institute, she worked with leading policy, military and academic experts on climate and Arctic security in the U.S. and Canada, including with the Center for Climate and Security (Washington DC), the Wilson Center Polar Institute and Environmental Change and Security Program, Arctic Security Consultants (Ottawa), Arctic360, and as a research co-lead at the U.S. Naval War College with a group of international scholars and naval officers studying naval deterrence in the Arctic.
Her work is further informed by her nine-year experience in human rights and asylum law. In particular, she served as a public official at the French National Asylum Court, and previously with the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva and with diverse civil society organizations on migrants’ rights and non-discrimination. She is a graduate from the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs in Defense and Security (MA), and holds degrees in Crisis Analysis and Humanitarian Action (MA) and Applied Linguistics (BA). She is fluent in French, English and Spanish.
Josh Malm
Director – Research & Analysis
Josh Malm oversees the implementation of the Institute’s research agenda, and leads a range of key initiatives including production of the Institute’s Expert Series Podcast, academic publications including ON TRACK, Threat Assessment, and the annual Strategic Outlook, as well as the flagship Force Development roundtable series and the Fellowship Programme.
In addition to leading the research team, Josh directs the Institute’s digital content strategy and communications. He plays a key role in shaping the Institute’s public voice and expanding its reach across academic, policy, and defence communities. His work also supports stakeholder engagement and the development of collaborative research initiatives.
Josh studied Political Science at Queen’s University and also pursued studies in the United Kingdom. His background includes experience in journalism, program management, politics, and government.
Louis-Benoît Lafontaine
Research Coordinator
Louis-Benoît Lafontaine holds a Master’s degree in International Studies (International Security) and a Master’s degree in International and Transnational Law. During the fall of 2021, he acted as an intern at the Network for Strategic Analysis. He previously worked as a research assistant in international law at Laval University and for the Quebec Government. His research interests include the space occupied by international law in the foreign policy of states, lawfare, and the economic impact of international security issues.
Hannah Fitzpatrick
Graphic and Digital Communications Coordinator
Hannah Fitzpatrick is a graphic designer and communications specialist with a passion for efficient communication. With her experience in professional outreach, content production, and marketing, Hannah brings her creative energy and a supportive approach to the CDA Institute team.
In previous roles, Hannah has overseen internal and external communications, produced bilingual content, led podcast production, created promotional media across a variety of physical and digital mediums, and managed professional relations with national media partners. Her strategic planning and engagement skills have significantly expanded social media presences, gaining substantial followings in short timeframes. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English and French from Queen’s University.
Kawtar Kathi
Events and Administrative Coordinator
Kawtar Kathi holds a degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa, complemented by a microprogram in Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Social Innovation. She brings her passion for fostering positive change to her role as the Events and Administration Coordinator.
With a strong background in international development, she has developed a deep understanding of global challenges and opportunities. Her academic and professional experiences have equipped her with knowledge of international policy frameworks, governance structures, and sustainable development goals. She is well-versed in international relations and has strong analytical skills essential for research and operations.
Greg Colbert
Volunteering and Campaigns Coordinator
Greg Colbert joins the CDA Institute as the Volunteering and Campaigns Coordinator, bringing a robust background in team management and community engagement. With extensive experience coordinating diverse teams and managing complex logistical challenges, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to build strong interpersonal connections and execute community initiatives.
A graduate of Seneca College’s Firefighter Pre-Service Education program and Criminology studies at the University of ottawa, Greg is committed to developing meaningful engagement strategies that support the CDA Institute’s mission. His experience includes coordinating volunteer teams and creating collaborative environments that maximize participant contributions. He is well-positioned to enhance the institute’s volunteer programs and campaign coordination efforts
Angelina Smolynec
Research Assistant
With her experience in academic research and fieldwork, Angelina brings a depth of geopolitical knowledge and analytical skills to the CDA Institute team. In previous roles, Angelina has overseen program management, event coordination, and curriculum development. In the summer of 2024, Angelina participated in the Cambridge Security Initiative’s International Security & Intelligence program, hosted at the University of Cambridge. Research papers have covered renewable energy development in Ukraine and maritime sabotage in the Baltic Sea.
Specific policy interests include Russia’s war in Ukraine, hybrid warfare, intelligence, and energy security. Angelina holds an MSc from the University of Edinburgh and a BA from McGill University, and speaks English, French, and Ukrainian.
Gabriella Pickton
Research Assistant
With valuable experience in the Black Sea region, Gabriella brings strong research experience on defence, democracy, and security across the former Soviet space to the CDA Institute team.
She is completing her last undergraduate year at the Institute of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies as an academic exchange student in Tbilisi, Georgia. Her previous experience spans past research internships at the Conference of Defence Associations Institute and the Georgian Institute for Strategic and International Studies. She also worked as an intern at USAID Georgia’s Local Governance Program until the U.S.’s pause on foreign aid assistance was announced.
