Canadian North names Kuujjuaq’s Shelly De Caria interim CEO, president
Michael Rodyniuk out as part of ‘strategic leadership transition’; De Caria becomes first Inuk to lead airline
Born and raised in Kuujjuaq, Shelly De Caria has been named the first Inuk to lead Canadian North as the airline’s interim CEO and president. (Photo courtesy of Canadian North)
A born-and-raised Kuujjuaq woman became the first Inuk to lead Canadian North as the airline’s interim CEO and president on Monday.
Shelly De Caria’s promotion to interim chief executive officer was announced in a news release Monday afternoon.
Michael Rodyniuk, who had been the airline’s president and CEO since July 2022, was replaced effective immediately, the release said.
“As an Inuk, I am immensely proud to lead an organization that is deeply rooted in community and committed to serving the unique needs in our regions,” De Caria said in a statement.
“With the unwavering support of our talented team, I am confident that we will continue to uphold our mission and make a positive impact in the communities we serve.”
De Caria was not available for interviews Monday afternoon, spokesperson Annie Thomlinson said in an email.
De Caria, who speaks Inuktitut as a second language, has “over a decade of experience” in leadership, the airline said.
Last month, Canadian North announced her appointment as its vice-president of sales, marketing and distribution — a role she will continue in while serving as interim CEO.
Asked if it was possible to get comment from Rodyniuk and Canadian North to explain the leadership change, Thomlinson forwarded a statement on behalf of the airline.
“In a move to align Canadian North’s strategic objectives, the board of directors has advised Michael Rodyniuk of a strategic leadership transition,” the statement read.
Michael Rodyniuk, the former CEO and president of Canadian North airline, speaks to an open house in Iqaluit in May. Rodyniuk left the company on Monday in what it called a “strategic leadership transition.” (File photo by David Lochead)
The change was the result of what the airline called “thoughtful deliberation” and Canadian North expressed “gratitude” to Rodyniuk for his service to the company.
Rodyniuk himself could not be reached on his cellphone to comment on his departure.
At various points during Rodyniuk’s year on the job, he was pressed for answers by community members, reporters and politicians on issues such as flight schedules and the costs of travel and cargo.
The airline said it would provide details about its search for a permanent CEO as they become available.
Rodyniuk, a longtime airline executive, became Canadian North’s CEO last year after the departure of Chris Avery.
An interesting move.
If the Board of Directors was really smart they would beg Bob Davis to come back, and give him free rein to run the airline without interference. Another great choice would be to bring Chris Ferris back, he was interim President for a short period of time and should have been given a chance to run the airline.
Both of these individuals have the greatest integrity, know the north, and are smart businessmen that can chart a path for the continued success of the airline while meeting the diverse needs of the stakeholders; general public, government, businesses, and shareholders.
It’s Reign.
No, CORRECTOR, it would be reign – with no capital R. Get it right! /s 🙄
Corrector and Barry, you are both incorrect and rein is correct for this usage, at least according to sources provided by Google. Better luck next time.
When someone ends a statement with /s, it means they intended that statement to be read sarcastically. But thanks anyhow.
New figure head !!
Seriously? This airline is finished. But, Makivik is good at checking the identity boxes. With their current, unqualified Executive, they are pretty much done.
SAME OLD BOYS , THAT TOOK FIRST AIR BOUNOUSES
You go, girl!
Oh good! Someone new to stymie our economy and hold the funnel we all have to pour our money into!
Fantastic; I expect nothing to change for the better.
Feel for your fellow Inuks.
The way Canadian North execs have been burnt through since the pandemic is troubling to say the least.
good job Shelly!
So what are this woman’s qualifications for the job? Is she a chartered account or a pilot or both? Looks like another unqualified figurehead.
She has no real qualifications. Just as the VP of HR has less qualifications than the HR staff themselves. She is a figurehead appointment.
Political science actually seems like a perfect qualification for an Executive who needs to maintain a flagrantly detrimental corporate monopoly.
She’ll be able to say all the right things to keep our money pouring in.
Qualifications? She’s Inuk and speaks Inuktitut.
I was cautiously optimistic when I read about her appointment. Michael R. was an awful CEO. He was so out of touch with his audience. Then I read this
“De Caria, who speaks Inuktitut as a second language, has “over a decade of experience” in leadership, the airline said”
So basically she has no qualification apart from being bilingual.
Same old iconic story, Inuit are using in lieu of qualifications. Instead of encouraging higher education, it’s easier to just pick an Inuit beneficiary and put them in position, to mask, the lack of qualifications. Notice Nunavik is full of iconic selections, and things are not getting any better, worse may I add. Get an education and run the organization with heart , soul and knowledge.
As long as we don’t wake up one morning to find one of them selectively unqualified persons running surgery, cockpits, or some other specialized work, in the name of beneficiary rights. Not that we don’t have the unqualified with that right already messing up our progressive developmental world.
Sure, let’s all pile on the qualified and university educated Inuk who gets the job after a decade in senior management. Well done everyone. Lift as we rise, right?
Bring Bob Davis and Chris Ferris back? Ha ha. I don’t know what you’re smoking, Old Trapper, but it must be something good.
Interim chief executive officer is the job with emphasis on interim. As with most jobs the people/team with an executive deliver the service. Without them any business would be in a difficult spot.
What a Joke, She will be gone again in few months, Another BS from Makkivik Corp