Christyn Cianfarani is the President of the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) where her role is to lead an organization that represents the business interests of more than 800 member companies employing more than 63,000 Canadians and generating $10 billion in revenues annually. She is responsible for creating an environment that showcases members both in the marketplace and with government stakeholders in support of domestic and international growth. Before joining CADSI on September 22, 2014, Ms. Cianfarani was Director, Advanced Solutions and Government Relations at CAE Inc.

Ms. Cianfarani has substantial expertise spanning 17 years within Canada's aerospace, defence and security industries. She has held leadership positions in strategy and in the development of high-value advanced technology, intellectual property, and business solutions informed and developed in partnership with CAE's defence and security customers.

Notably, Ms. Cianfarani has contributed as an Expert Advisor in support of Special Advisor Mr. Tom Jenkins in the context of his Canada First: Leveraging Defence Procurement Through Key Industrial Capabilities report. This report has informed the Government’s Defence Procurement Strategy and its reform of policies and practices. Following the report, she was engaged by the Government of Canada for additional industry advisor work related to its implementation.

Christyn is a member of the Government of Canada's Defence Industry Advisory Group (DIAG) in addition to being a member of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and the University of Ottawa's Centre for Executive Leadership, Telfer School of Management Complex Project and Procurement Leadership (CPPL) Advisories. She was also a member of the Government of Canada's Defence Analytics Institute (DAI) Interim Board of Directors.

Ms Cianfarani has also represented Canadian industry for Mr. Tom Jenkins’ Review of Research and Development in Canada and has participated in the multiple working groups that contributed to Hon. David Emerson’s Aerospace Review.

Ms. Cianfarani holds a Master’s degree from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor’s degree from the Royal Military College of Canada, during which time she served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She is fluent in both official languages of Canada.