CSIS names first woman as interim leader

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Vanessa Lloyd has been named the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s interim director for six months or until a permanent director is appointed.

The first woman to ever lead CSIS, Lloyd joined the spy agency as an intelligence officer in 1998.

“Ms. Lloyd has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to protecting Canada, Canadians and our interests over her 26-year career at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, in a news release Friday morning. “Building on her extensive experience, as well as the tireless work of the outgoing Director, I have every confidence that she has what it takes to steer the work of this pivotal organization over the course of her term.”

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Lloyd previously held roles as CSIS’ first chief transformation officer and, most recently, its deputy director of operations.

In her latest role, Lloyd directed the agency’s human intelligence collection, intelligence analysis, security screening and threat reduction efforts, the release stated.

Earlier this month, former director of CSIS David Vigneault announced he was stepping down and leaving the public service.

Having spent seven years in the role, the former CSIS chief had to speak on foreign interference and sexual violence allegations in the agency’s British Columbia office.

In his statement, he said he was proud of his team’s work in “bringing the organization out of the shadows” and “shedding light on the important and valuable role we play in protecting Canadians against foreign interference and threats to national security.”

He called his time in the role one of the “most challenging and rewarding” periods of his career, adding that it was time to “pass the baton to a successor.”

Lloyd will officially take on the new role on July 20.

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