Board of Directors
CATSA is governed by an eleven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, independent from CATSA’s senior management team. The airline industry and the airport industry nominate two directors each.
The Board of Directors and its committees meet on a quarterly basis and as required to effectively oversee the corporation’s business and strategic direction. The Board of Directors has a number of ongoing responsibilities, including:
- Establishing and approving CATSA’s strategic direction through various means, including its strategic plan and annual corporate plan;
- Safeguarding the resources of the corporation by approving annual reports, quarterly financial reports as well as capital and operating budgets;
- Ensuring the fulfillment of the corporation’s mandate;
- Monitoring corporate performance;
- Ensuring the principal organizational risks are identified and that appropriate systems/mitigations to manage these risks have been implemented;
- Approving the President and Chief Executive Officer’s (CEO) objectives for the year and evaluating their performance;
- Drafting, amending or repealing corporate by-laws; and
- Reviewing and approving the succession plan for senior management.
Board Committees
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to financial reporting, financial risk management, climate disclosure, cybersecurity, internal controls, internal and external audits, budgets and any other matter assigned by the Board.
The Governance, Human Resources and Pension Committee (GHRP) assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities with respect to governance matters, human resources and compensation, management succession plans, ethics and business conduct policies, annual objectives for the President and CEO, management and administration of the employee pension plans and any other matter assigned to it by the Board.
As of October 1, 2024, CATSA’s Board of Directors included:
| Board Members | Audit | GHRP | Total Remuneration (YTD 2024/25) |
Appointment Date |
Mandate Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thao Pham, Board Chairperson | Yes | Yes | $17,160 | 2023/03/14 | 2028/03/13 |
| Sharon Duggan, GHRP Chair | Yes | Yes | $9,525 | Original:2018/02/21 Reappointment:2024/06/05 |
2028/06/05 |
| Diane Trenn Audit Chair Appointed as a nominee of the Canadian Airports Council |
Yes | Yes | $9,720 | Original: 2018/06/14 Reappointment: 2022/10/28 |
2026/10/28 |
| Patricia Anne Kennedy Appointed as a nominee of the Air Transport Association of Canada |
Yes | Yes | $8,550 | Original: 2015/03/26 Reappointment: 2018/06/25 |
2021/06/24* |
| Rosemary Capparelli Appointed as a nominee of the National Airlines Council of Canada |
Yes | No | $6,405 | 2022/10/28 | 2026/10/28 |
| Jennifer Sullivan Appointed as a nominee of the Canadian Airports Council |
No | Yes | $6,210 | 2022/10/28 | 2026/10/28 |
| Vacant (formerly Melissa Coulson) |
Yes | No | $4,080 | Original: 2014/01/30 Reappointment: 2018/02/21 Reappointment amended: 2022/12/16 |
2023/02/21 (resigned June 2024) |
| Jean-Philippe Brunet | No | Yes | $6,210 | 2018/02/21 | 2022/02/21* |
| Gilles Lalonde | Yes | No | $7,380 | Original: 2018/02/21 Reappointment: 2021/05/21 |
2025/05/21 |
| Penny Westman | No | Yes | $2,910 | 2019/03/22 | 2023/03/22* |
| Vacant |
* Per the Financial Administration Act, any Director (other than the Chairperson) whose term has expired, may continue in office until a successor is appointed.
In December 2024, three new directors were appointed to CATSA’s Board of Directors. These appointments address the two vacancies noted above, and the conclusion of Jean-Philippe Brunet’s term. The Board of Directors would like to thank Mr. Brunet for his service and dedication as a member of the Board. CATSA will continue to proactively engage Transport Canada on the need for sufficient, timely and staggered appointments to its Board of Directors.
CATSA’s Senior Management Team
On April 3, 2023, Nada Semaan6 was appointed as CATSA’s President and CEO for a five-year term by Order in Council. The President and CEO is supported by a senior management team, including:
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Neil Parry | Senior Vice-President, Operations |
| Nancy Fitchett | Vice-President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer |
| Philippe Johnston | Vice-President, Technology and Chief Technology Officer |
|
Lisa Hamilton |
Vice-President, Corporate Services, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
|
Donna Achimov |
Vice-President, People, Culture and Experience7 |
6 On January 8, 2025, Nada Semaan announced that she will retire from her position as President and CEO on June 16, 2025. Effective April 1, 2025, Neil Parry, Senior Vice-President of Operations, will serve in the role in an acting capacity until a new President and CEO is appointed.
7 Donna Achimov, Vice-President, People, Culture, and Experience, joined CATSA on September 30, 2024. This new 18 month fixed-term position reflects our organizational commitment to supporting and enhancing the employee and client experience.
CATSA’s Executive Compensation Structure
Maintaining a competitive total compensation package is key to CATSA's ability to attract and retain a diverse and qualified workforce. The total compensation program consists of a base salary as well as performance incentives, group benefits and pension plan.
CATSA’s Board of Directors, through the GHRP Committee, reviews the compensation package regularly to ensure that it is reasonable and is competitive with similar public sector organizations.
Pursuant to subsection 20(2) of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority Act, the rate of any remuneration paid to the President and CEO is fixed by the Governor in Council by Order in Council (2023-875), wherein the base salary is within the range of $265,700 - $312,500 per annum.
In 2024/25, the base salary range for Vice-Presidents is $212,968 to $383,344. CATSA’s Senior/Vice-Presidents are also eligible to receive incentive pay in the range of 0 - 26%, depending on their performance.
Annual Public Meeting
CATSA held its 2024 Annual Public Meeting by means of an audio-visual presentation that was posted on its website on August 15, 2024.