A career built on learning: General Jennie Carignan’s path to leadership
Posted on Monday, June 8th, 2026
General Jennie Carignan will be honoured by Algonquin College this June with an honorary degree that recognizes a lifetime of service and
leadership. Her work has taken her from early engineering studies to the highest military position in the country, and the recognition arrives at a moment when her influence is felt across the Canadian Armed Forces and beyond.
As Chief of the Defence Staff, General Carignan is responsible for a vast and complex organization. Alongside the Deputy Minister of National Defence, she leads a defence staff of more than 120,000 people in uniform and in civilian roles, guiding operations at home and abroad. Despite the scale of the job, she often describes her role in straightforward terms. Her task, she said, is to provide clear military advice and help the government understand the choices in front of it.
Her path began four decades ago, with an engineering degree from the Royal Military College of Canada, followed by graduate studies at Université Laval and the School of Advanced Military Studies in Kansas. Over time, education became less about collecting qualifications,” she said.
Some of those lessons took shape early in her career. As a young officer, she served on a United Nations mission in the Golan Heights, an experience that shifted her understanding of global realities.
“What you study and what you see on the ground can be very different,” she said. The deployment sparked a deeper interest in how military decisions affect people and communities, especially in uncertain environments.
That comfort with uncertainty has stayed with her. As she moved into senior roles, the challenges became less predictable and less suited to familiar solutions.
“At a certain point, there is no set playbook,” she explained. “You have to be able to move forward without having all the answers.” For her, this is where learning and leadership meet.
Her approach to innovation follows the same logic. It is not about chasing dramatic breakthroughs. It is about testing ideas, adjusting when needed and trying again.
“You are not going to get it right every time,” she said. “But you keep working at it until you find a better way.”
That mindset has helped her navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, where adaptability matters as much as expertise.
When asked what she values most in a team, she pointed to respect. Not as a slogan, but as a daily habit.
“We need to be able to disagree and still work together,” she said. In her world, where decisions often carry real consequences, trust and clear communication are essential. Respect creates the conditions for both.
Outside of her professional life, Carignan is a mother of four and often speaks about the importance of family support. She also reflects on being a “first” in her field with a sense of perspective.
“It is not really about me,” she said. “It is about the people who came before and made it possible.” She sees her own role as part of a broader shift that continues to open doors for others.
Her advice to graduates is simple and steady: Focus on what you can control and do your best.
“That is what helps you stay steady,” she said, “whether things go well or not.” It is a philosophy that has defined her career: grounded, practical, and forward-looking.
For those preparing to begin their next chapter, it’s sound advice indeed.
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