Page 10 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 119 - February 2024 with Registration Flyer

Participation link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87040391172?pwd=cWhxcnVLOGtrUkpJejJjcVVlSmttdz09

Meeting ID: 870 4039 1172
Passcode: 614489

Lieutenant Colonel Rhonda Matthews is an army officer with 27 years
of experience, in command of the Princess Louise Fusiliers, a reserve infantry regi-
ment based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She is the first female Commanding Officer
since the unit’s establishment in 1869. Rhonda is dedicated to promoting women
in uniform and encouraging cultural change at home and abroad.

Rhonda has recently deployed as the Canadian Armed Forces Operation
Presence (Elsie) Task Force Commander, established to support gender main-
streaming training with the Ghana Armed Forces. She is also a proud co-creator
of the United Nations Engagement Platoon Reinforcement Training Package, which
aims to improve the Women, Peace and Security as well as the Protection of Civil-
ians mandates in UN Peace Support Operations. In her two tours to Afghanistan,
her work focused on coordinating efforts between military forces, UN agencies,
NGOS, and the local population.

A recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (NS), she works towards
a more inclusive and diverse military by conducting training in diversity, ethics,
harassment prevention, cultural liaison, and restorative engagement.

In her civilian career, Rhonda is a skilled facilitator with roadSIGNS, work-
ing to strengthen teams, improve remote working opportunities, and overcome
adversity through personal development that celebrates individual innate abilities.

Rhonda extends her passion to serve as a general board member with
Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia (FSENS). FSENS is an organization support-
ing individuals, children, and families with counselling services, youth services,
workshops, programs, employee assistance and men’s health across Nova Scotia.

As a working mother, Rhonda knows firsthand the challenges of finding
work life balance and strives to be a role model for young women. …/...