Melissa Desjardins
Commander Melissa Desjardins currently serves as Canada’s Senior National Representative in Bahrain and Deputy Commander of Combined Task Force 154 with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in Manama.
Melissa joined the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) in 2001 as a Naval Warfare Officer before transferring to the Intelligence Branch in 2004. Since then, she has held a range of national and international intelligence appointments focused on maritime security, maritime domain awareness, illicit maritime trafficking, human smuggling, and counter-narcotics operations. Her contributions to strategic intelligence and maritime security were recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal (Military).
In addition to her intelligence appointments, Cdr Desjardins has held senior leadership roles in strategic engagement, readiness, and stakeholder relations. Prior to joining CMF, she served at Joint Task Force North (JTFN) in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, as Director Strategic Engagement, Director Readiness, and Deputy Commanding Officer, where she supported Arctic sovereignty and national security objectives while fostering partnerships across Canada’s North.
Melissa completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, as well as a Master of Arts in Professional Communication.