Michelle Tessier

Michelle Tessier was the Deputy Director Operations (DDO) of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service from December 2018 to March 2023. She joined the Service in 1988, working at every operational level within the organization, from Intelligence Officer to senior Executive. She became a member of the Executive (EX) cadre in 2002, rising through the Executive ranks to the Director General level in 2009. She worked as an Executive in both the Service’s Headquarters and regional offices, including as Director General of several Headquarters Branches and the Service’s Quebec regional office. In April 2014, Michelle was nominated to the Service’s senior Executive Committee as Assistant Director Collection, the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) responsible for the Service’s regional intelligence collection efforts. In February 2018, she became the Assistant Director Operations, overseeing the Headquarters Operational Branches. She held this position until her appointment as Deputy Director, Operations, a senior ADM position, reporting directly to the Director of the Service (Deputy Minister) and responsible for the overall management of Service operations, intelligence, security screening and governance. Michelle was the first woman in all three of those ADM positions. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from Carleton University.  Prior to joining the Service, she worked as a journalist for several publications, including as a correspondent for the Ottawa Citizen. Michelle is also an accredited sommelier.