International Women’s Day - Women's Leadership

March 3, 2022 - Defence Stories

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Major Couturier and Master Warrant Officer Yaxley discuss the impacts of the schedule change.

For the first time in the history of CFLRS, a division is led by two women. As part of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Women Inspiring Women” CFLRS is taking this opportunity to introduce you to the extraordinary journey of Major Shona Couturier and Master Warrant Officer Yaxley who, since the summer of 2021, lead the Support Division.

All Roads Lead to CFLRS

Major Couturier joined the CAF in 2009 and graduated with honours from RMCC in English literature in 2013. Since then, she has been transferred to 5 Service Battalion, 1R22R, followed by two years in Korea under United Nations command for which she received a CDS Commendation. It was during these two years that she completed an MBA from the University of Maryland. After a deployment to the CF Joint Operational Support Group, she joined CFLRS in August 2021.

Master Warrant Officer Yaxley enrolled in 1994 as an infantry soldier and then as a materiel management technician in the Primary Reserve. She transitioned to the Regular Force in 2005. Between 2010 and 2018, she was deployed to Afghanistan, Poland and Kuwait. In 2019, she was selected by her peers in the Intermediate Leadership Program to receive Chief Warrant Officer Boivin’s Comradeship Trophy. Since the beginning of her career, she has been a member of several reserve units of CFB Valcartier and Gagetown. She joined CFLRS in June 2021.

Leadership

The Support Division is the most important in terms of personnel, both civilian and military, and in terms of the diversity of trades and services offered. They quickly imbued the division of their leadership style, empathetic but firm by keeping communication channels open and accessible to its members. The secret of their success? "Always listen to our members," says MWO Yaxley. Major Couturier adds on that "as long as our team members, regardless of their position in the division, feel that we are there for them, we will be a strong team."

There is a sense of chemistry between the two women. They have already had the opportunity to work together in another unit. Even if they get along well, the challenges are great. "One of the biggest challenges has been to balance the needs of the organization with the needs of individuals and the section," says Maj Couturier. "Also, becoming a Division Commandant during the pandemic made contact with members difficult."

Increasingly, women are taking their place in the CAF. Maj Couturier and MWO Yaxley are a prime example. They inspire positive leadership in their division and in the unit as a whole. It is no accident that they find themselves in this position. It is through their hard work, dedication and great competence, notwithstanding their status as a woman, but greatly inspired by their experience of being one.