sandraperron@pepperpod.ca

Sandra is the Founder and CEO of The Pepper Pod, and she’s a serious multi-hyphenate. She made history as Canada’s first female infantry officer, serving in the Royal 22e Régiment—the famous Vandoos. Sandra is the best-selling author of “Out Standing in the Field”, an award-winning memoir of her career in the military which is being adapted for the silver screen and is set to premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. She has specialized in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, mind-mapping and reflective practice which she uses throughout the Pepper Pod’s programs. As well as building The Pepper Pod from the ground up, Sandra sits on the Board of Directors for Commissionnaires du Québec, and is the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of the Régiment du Hull.

cathy@pepperpod.ca

Cathy joined The Pepper Pod as Executive Director after having volunteered with the Pepper Pod for over a year. She served for 12 years as a logistics officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and understands the full spectrum of the military family experience. Cathy grew up in a military family. She served while single and later in her career, as half of a dual service couple. Post-RCAF, Cathy earned an MBA and founded a successful marketing company which she led for over a decade – until she fell in love with the Pepper Pod and decided to make a change. Cathy is fuelled by the Pepper Pod mission and applies her personal and professional experience to the well-being of women veterans.

Gunther is a handsome Golden Doodle with a great big heart. His mission is to spread smiles with his irresistible charm and cuddly nature. The car is Gunther’s happy place, and he also enjoys a good back massage and sneaking his photogenic face into as many of our social media posts as possible! Since Gunther is so darn good at melting hearts, we gave him his very own email address! You can get in touch with this good boy at gunther@pepperpod.ca.

Ross is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, serving in the field of electrical and mechanical engineering. With expert Project Management skills, Ross ensures rigour in our planning, processes, and delivery of programs. A true renaissance man, Ross loves cars, tanks and anything with a million moving parts that makes a lot of noise. He’s also an accomplished photographer who’s equally at ease capturing the beauty of nature as well as The Pepper Pod’s events. Oh, and Ross is the loudest, boldest and biggest champion of diversity that we can count on for support.

Linda is an Actuarial Fellow who recently retired after 36 years of crunching numbers at Movement Desjardins. Linda is passionate about creating opportunities for women to grow and managing the numbers side of bringing a project to life. Her extensive experience in program management and data analysis is an asset to the Pepper Pod’s mainly right-brain team! Linda is an avid hiker and traveller. She is dedicated to helping The Pepper Pod achieve its vision of building a strong community of women veterans.

linda@pepperpod.ca

Marcellin is a Neuro-Linguistic Master Practitioner and Trainer with 30 years of experience in teaching. He designed the original Lifeshop™ in the 1960s with a vision to help women discover their limiting beliefs and since then more than 4,000 men and women have benefitted from these life-changing retreats. Over the past 20 years, Marcellin has trained four facilitators to continue his legacy—including his niece, Sandra. At The Pepper Pod, Marcellin is our spiritual guide who coaches us and engages us in the lifelong learning we so crave.

Naji is responsible for overseeing the financial health of The Pepper Pod, and drafts the blueprint for our sustainable growth. As well as teaching at Ahuntsic College, Naji has written many books on international commerce. Naji is the proud father of two strong women, and is a self-proclaimed feminist who sees The Pepper Pod as a beacon of hope for women veterans embarking upon life’s transitions.

Mylène is a retired Legal Officer from the Judge Advocate General’s office of the Canadian Armed Forces. During her career, she served in the Central African Republic and in the Democratic Republic of Congo under the United Nations. Upon hanging up her uniform for the last time, Mylène got involved with multiple charitable entities where she helped plan and execute fundraisers and other logistical projects. An animal lover extraordinaire, Mylène cares for injured animals, and is known to feed all the stray cats in her neighbourhood, in addition to raccoons, birds and squirrels. She is an active contributor to The Pepper Pod’s Board of Directors, and hand knits useful items for our She Shed.