DONALD MICHALUK
Dartmouth,NS
Summary
Possesses a keen attention to detail, and extensive experience in ceremonial programs, protocol, and diplomatic hospitality. Passionate about history, heraldry, and phaleristics. Communicates strategic advice to leadership that aligns with mission success. Strong interpersonal skills allowing for positive stakeholder engagement and consultation. Ability to assess and evaluate conflicts with the goal to provide productive solutions and recommendations to leadership in a timely manner. Acknowledges the importance of diversity in Canadians to ensure a safe and healthy work environment to reach maximum potential and positive outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Naval Warfare Officer
Canadian Armed Forces
Halifax, NS
07.2021 - Current
- Applies extensive knowledge of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) policies.
- Leading a team of 30 Officer candidates through daily operational training and routines.
- Instructed Officer candidates on CAF ceremonial and protocol.
- Conducts research and performs analysis to develop courses of action based on findings.
- Effectively leads team through daily operations.
- Demonstrates strong writing skills to generate original correspondence and reports.
- Collaborates with team members to initiate best practices to achieve organizational goals.
- Recommends new strategies to senior leadership to increase unit effectiveness.
- Liaises with other government departments and units in order to complete tasks.
Steward to the Chief of the Defence Staff
Canadian Armed Forces
Ottawa, ON
07.2019 - 03.2021
- Established and maintained office protocol within the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
- Managed protocol and hospitality requirements for visiting domestic and foreign dignitaries, including set-up and takedown of events.
- Briefed the Chief of the Defence Staff and other senior officers on ceremonial procedures including Speech from the Throne and Change of Command.
- Researched, analyzed, and interpreted government policy in order to brief leadership and complete various projects.
- Liaised with offices of foreign military attachés to facilitate official visits and gift protocol.
- Authored a new chapter for the Royal Canadian Navy's Manual of Drill and Ceremonial.This chapter establishes the ceremony and protocol for an HMC Ship's Paying-off Ceremony.
- Drafted letters, briefing notes, and memoranda.
- Worked alongside Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial staff to complete objectives, such as hosting meetings and conferences in the CDS executive suite.
- Worked alongside the unit financial officer to ensure hospitality requirements were managed within the unit budget.
- Executed orders and understood the intent of superiors to meet various requirements of the Chief of the Defence Staff.
- Acted as the primary point of contact for government and non-governmental stakeholders in daily affairs.
Steward to Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic
Canadian Armed Forces
Halifax, NS
08.2017 - 07.2019
- Established and maintained office protocol and uniform requirements for the Fleet Commander.
- Ensured proper ceremonial protocol was followed at parades where the Fleet Commander was present.
- Managed all hospitality requirements for foreign dignitaries on official visits.
- Researched, analyzed, and interpreted government policy to brief the Fleet Commander and complete operational projects.
- Wrote official correspondence on behalf of the Fleet Commander to regal and vice-regal dignitaries such as HRH Prince of Wales, various Lieutenant Governors, various senior officers, and senior public servants.
- Maintained scheduling of the Fleet Commander and ensured they were at all required meetings, including onboarding of all required flights and ships.
- Ensured appropriate government policies were followed during various projects and processes.
- Liaised with the Chief of Staff to ensure all upcoming requirements were met.
Commanding Officer's Steward
Canadian Armed Forces
Halifax, NS
10.2013 - 08.2017
- Established and maintained protocol of the Commanding Officer’s quarters onboard the ship.
- Assisted in organizing and executing the visit of HRH The Princess Royal to HMCS St. John’s.
- Assisted in organizing and executing the Vice-Regal Day Sail of all Provincial Lieutenant Governors to HMCS St. John's.
- Organized and executed official visits of ambassadors and military dignitaries to the ship while on naval operations.
- Conducted research and briefed the Commanding Officer on the cultural and protocol requirements of the 10 countries visited on operations.
- Led multiple teams to meet various requirements of official visits while on naval operations.
- Deployed internationally on multiple naval operations.
- Applied project management skills and tools to achieve results according to schedule.
Constituency Assistant
Parliament of Canada
Ottawa, ON
09.2010 - 08.2011
- Prioritized tasks to efficiently support constituents.
- Tracked, managed, and filed correspondence and other electronic and hard copy records.
- Researched federal legislation and policies in order to assist constituents with questions and issues brought to the Member of Parliament's attention.
- Identified, researched and tracked legislation relevant to current public issues.
- Interpreted data and made recommendations from findings.
- Used critical thinking to analyze problems, evaluate and assess solutions to advise on evidence-based decisions.
Education
Bachelor of Military Arts And Science -
Royal Military College of Canada
Kingston, ONSkills
- Ceremonial and Protocol
- Event Coordination
- Diplomatic Hospitality
- Stakeholder Relations
- Briefing
- Research
- Leadership and Team Building
- Detail-driven
Languages
- English: fluent
- French: intermediate knowledge
Certification
- Secret Security Clearance - Government of Canada
- Medical First Responder - St. John Ambulance
- Understanding Diversity and Employment Equity - Department of National Defence
- Employment Equity and Diversity for Managers/Supervisors - Department of National Defence
- Introduction to Defence Ethics - Department of National Defence
Extracurricular
- Board of Directors (Special Advisor) - Canadian Delegation of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy (2019-present)
- Member of the Royal Historical Society - Royal Palace Vrana, Bulgaria (2019-present)
- Special Projects Officer and Membership Coordinator - St. John Ambulance (2021-present)
- Member of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada (2018-present)
Timeline
Naval Warfare Officer
Canadian Armed Forces
07.2021 - Current
Steward to the Chief of the Defence Staff
Canadian Armed Forces
07.2019 - 03.2021
Steward to Commander Canadian Fleet Atlantic
Canadian Armed Forces
08.2017 - 07.2019
Commanding Officer's Steward
Canadian Armed Forces
10.2013 - 08.2017
Constituency Assistant
Parliament of Canada
09.2010 - 08.2011
Bachelor of Military Arts And Science -
Royal Military College of Canada