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The following story was written by freelance writer Deborah Reid:

Wanito Bernadin, a 2003 graduate of Niagara College’s Business Administration – Marketing (Co-op) program,is the person you hire to handle a potential crisis. Even in a casual conversation, the depth and strength of his character are apparent. He’s intelligent, emanates calm, and is precise and measured in delivering a message. Public speaking is integral to his work, and his people skills are rare and exceptional. He manages expectations upwards and wants his staff to enjoy the freedom of focusing on their tasks to function at an optimal level.

As Chief Information Officer for the National Capital Commission of Canada – the largest property owner in Ottawa – his oversight includes heritage buildings, agricultural facilities, infrastructure like bridges and parklands, and the six official residences. His mandate is to ensure the capital is a source of pride for all Canadians.

Cybersecurity is also in his portfolio. “We are stewards of the national assets,” said Bernadin. “Things are going well when no one is talking about it.”

On Saturdays, Bernadin delivers a message of faith to the congregation at the Ottawa Seventh-day Adventist Church. Joy and passion emanate from him as he shares his gift as an eloquent orator. Service to the community is a cornerstone of his life – he counsels church members and feeds and cares for people living in distressed communities in the city.

“I was raised with the understanding that nothing we have is truly our own,” he said. “The resources are for us to manage and leverage to benefit ourselves and those around us.”

His mission at work and church is to get people to imagine what change will look like – to reduce fear and anxiety and help make the way forward clear.

Bernadin asked the computer animation and design team to create a 3-D model of Ottawa’s core to troubleshoot problems related to infrastructure change. In partnership with Carleton University’s Immersive Media Studio, they designed a digital twin of the city centre that allows architects and engineers to test ideas, mitigate bad decisions, improve collaboration among government stakeholders, and use in public consultation.

The project has had a positive impact on hundreds of internal employees and thousands in the consultation phase. It’s been applied to the current LeBreton Flats project and is considered for national asset management in other parts of the country. “It demonstrates the great things that can be done when partnerships arise and people work together,” said Bernadin.

Bernadin’s parents were Haitian immigrants who landed in Montreal in the early 1980s. Until the age of seven, he received an abundance of love and care from his mother. But he had a desire to live with his dad and siblings. When he was 11 years old, his dad went back to school after doing a host of jobs to keep his family afloat. His father earned a master’s degree in sociology and recreation studies. Being a student alongside a parent made a lasting impression – his father modelled the benefits of life-long learning.

To manage his large team, Bernadin employs horizontal learning. He knows enough about each area to collaborate on strategies and report upwards but trusts the in-depth knowledge of subject matter experts. “The idea is to multiply capacity, not limit it,” he said. When asked about future ambitions, his response demonstrates humility. “I never imagined I would be here, and I enjoy it so much I have trouble looking beyond,” said Bernadin. “There are other roles I could aspire to in the government of Canada with more prestige, but they would have less humanity; given my skill set.”