Cdr Michele Tessier was born and raised in Grand Bank, Newfoundland. She joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS CABOT in St. John’s as a direct entry officer in 1996, on completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree at Memorial University.

Over the past 22 years, Cdr Tessier’s career has included numerous sea and shore postings as well as participation in international exercises in Croatia, Germany and Norway. Her career highlights include a term as Aide to the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) during the 9/11 attacks, and three command tours including HMCS NANAIMO, HMCS GRIFFON (Thunder Bay) and Commander Coastal Forces Pacific. She is currently employed as the MARPAC/JTFP Deputy Chief of Staff, Current Operations and Intelligence, and was recently announced as Commanding Officer (desig) of the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessel HMCS MARGARET BROOKE, under construction in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In November, she was named one of the Women’s Executive Network’s “Canada’s Most Powerful Women – Top 100” for 2017.