Director of Cadets

Lieutenant-Colonel Susan L. Wigg, CD, BEng, MPM, PMP

Susan L. Wigg

LCol Wigg enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1980 attending the Royal Military College in its inaugural class of women - one of the first thirty-two women officer cadets in the school’s 104-year history.  She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Management.

Prior to her appointment as the Director of Cadets, LCol Wigg served at the Supreme Allied Headquarters Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium (2006-10).  She was the Senior Staff Officer Strategic Operational Planning responsible for the Balkans Joint Operations Area and in particular NATO operations in Kosovo. As part of her responsibilities she advised on the conduct of strategic planning in both Kosovo Force Headquarters and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo.

During her SHAPE tour LCol Wigg deployed with the International Security Assistance Forces in Afghanistan as Chief Information Operations for the Counter Improvised Explosive Device Branch for which she was awarded the General Campaign Star South-West Asia medal. 

LCol Wigg served as the Project Manager for the Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence Omnibus project at National Defence Headquarters from 2002 to 2006.  In this role she led a multi-disciplinary team comprised of military, public service employees and contract specialists developing leading edge technologies for biological and chemical sensing protection.  During this period she was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel.  

Several career highlights include:

  • Appointed as the interim Director of Combat Support Equipment Management at National Defence Headquarters from March to July 2006.
  • Deputy Project Manager for Clothe the Soldier from 1998 to 2001.
  • Business Planner for the Directorate General Land Engineering Program Management at National Defence Headquarters from 1996 to 1997.
  • Officer Commanding Land Maintenance Workshop - Technical Services Branch at Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack from 1994 to 1996.
  • The first woman to command an Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Workshop – Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake from 1989 to 1992.
  • First Military Chair and founding member of the Defence Women's Advisory Organization formed to address diversity issues and assist the creation of a more inclusive environment within the Canadian Forces.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wigg graduated from the Land Forces Command and Staff Course in 2002.  She became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) in 1993, and obtained a Masters Degree in Project Management from the University of Quebec at Hull in 2000.  

Lieutenant-Colonel Wigg enjoys restorative physical conditioning through hot yoga, challenging hikes, and strength training as well as photography and exploring nature.