Tina Saryeddine is the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, an organization that has represented Canada's Fire Chiefs since 1909. In her role as the CAFC’s Executive Director, she has oversight of all CAFC operations and provides strategic and policy support to the Board of Directors. CAFC has close to 1000 members each year and a National Advisory Council of all provincial and territorial chief associations, as well as fire related national affiliate organizations. National committees of subject matter experts provide expertise from across the country. Close to 100 fire chiefs serve on these committees.

Tina has a PhD in Health Services Management from the University of Toronto and an adjunct faculty appointment at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa where she had previously completed her Masters in Health Administration in 1998.

Prior to coming to the CAFC, Tina spent 20 years in the health sector with healthcare providers in regional and national associations having served as the Assistant Vice President Research and Policy Analysis at the Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations (ACAHO) and the Executive Director Research and Innovation when ACAHO merged with the Canadian Healthcare Association to form HealthCareCAN. Tina is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders from which she holds the Certified Health Executive (CHE) designation.

Anabel Therrien is the Manager of Membership Services and Special Projects at the CAFC. Growing up in Opasatika, a tiny town in North Eastern Ontario, she was fascinated by the concept of community. Recently, she completed her Master’s degree at the University of Ottawa and conducted her research through Facebook on the relationship between online and offline communities in Catholic parishes. In her previous education, she has a background in psychology, with a touch of biology and folklore.

When she isn’t working, Anabel can be found writing, learning modern calligraphy, and testing new watercolour techniques. She is passionate about creativity, personal and career growth, mindfulness, as well as helping others.

Rhea Laverdure is the Administration and Communications Coordinator at the CAFC. Growing up throughout the Lower Mainland before finally landing in the Okanagan Valley during the height of the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Fire, her childhood and adult years were highlighted by the work that the fire service did on behalf of the communities. As well as the work her family did in Search and Rescue in Penticton. She moved to Ottawa in early 2019, graduated from business school in 2021 with a Diploma in Business Administration specializing in Marketing.

She is passionate about marketing communications, advertising, economics, data analytics, project management and front end web development. The work she has done on developing the internal and external infrastructure for the Canadian Fire Census and planning the national Fire Rescue Canada conference are some of the many highlights of her career with the CAFC. Always ready for the next thing, Rhea's motto is "Onwards and upwards."

Zoe Boicescu is the Communications and Policy Coordinator at the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Communications in 2021 and her Masters of Communications in 2023, both at the University of Ottawa, where she developed an interest in the impact words can have in the world. 

Always eager to learn new things, she is excited to expand her skills at the CAFC

Walter is a seasoned sales and marketing professional, having worked for many years with non-profit associations, corporate event organizers and sponsors. Walter leads CAFC’s spotlight on industry program helping fire and emergency management partners demonstrate the important products and services they provide to fire departments and to build liaisons the members of Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

He is a dedicated relationship builder and has worked with national and international organizations in various roles. He has executive experience in the Canadian association sector and has held senior positions with the Wind Energy Association of Canada and the Hotel Association of Canada. Walter resides and works from his home office in Ottawa. You can reach Walter at wwillett@cafc.ca and learn more about our Spotlight on Industry program here.