Michelle Tessier was the Deputy Director Operations (DDO) of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) from December 2018 to March 2023, responsible for the overall management of Service operations, intelligence, security screening and governance. She joined the Service in 1988, working at every operational level within the organization, from Intelligence Officer to senior executive. She worked as Director General of several headquarter branches and the Service’s Quebec regional office. Prior to her appointment as DDO, Michelle was successively Assistant Director Collection (responsible for the Service’s regional intelligence collection efforts) and Assistant Director Operations (overseeing the Headquarters Operational Branches). Michelle was the first woman in all three of those executive positions (Assistant Deputy Minister level). She holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from Carleton University. In 2010, Michelle obtained a Certificate in Public Sector Leadership and Governance from the University of Ottawa. Prior to joining CSIS, she worked as a journalist for several publications, including as a correspondent for the Ottawa Citizen.
Michelle Tessier
