Daryl Churney

Experienced senior public sector executive, policy advisor and chief operating officer with a track record of leading policy and strategic planning, national program operations, and corporate services in a complex legislative environment. Thoughtful, dynamic leader of multidisciplinary teams driving toward excellence in organizational performance; integration of policy, program, legal and financial advice into coherent, scalable strategies; and commitment to workplace well-being & inclusion. Policy leader with extensive background in legislative reform, stakeholder/Indigenous engagement, portfolio governance, national & regional operations, public & parliamentary affairs, crisis management, labor-management relations, human resources, and strategic planning.

Deep experience briefing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, parliamentarians (House/Senate committees), Not-for-Profit boards and community partners & stakeholders.

Strategic Advisor and Visiting Assistant Deputy Minister at International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) (2026-01 – Present)

Executive Interchange - EX-04

• Leading a strategic review of key governance functions across correctional disciplines to enhance ICPA strategic direction and alignment with strategic & business objectives
• Supporting a parallel internal review of ICPA training offerings to ensure alignment, sustainability and reputational value
• Broadening ICPA linkages to and presence in the community corrections field, to bolster exchange of best practices worldwide
• Leading strategic policy development in target areas to bolster ICPA governance, close policy gaps and align organizational objectives with effective practice

Deputy Chairperson | Special Advisor at Parole Board of Canada (2025-04 – 2025-12)

EX-04

Deputy Chairperson at Parole Board of Canada (2022-05 – 2025-03)

EX-04

Executive Director General at Parole Board of Canada (2018-04 – 2022-05)

EX-03. PBC's sole Assistant Deputy Minister, served as organization's senior public servant responsible for operations of National Office and five Regional Offices, cumulatively 85-90% of PBC's human and financial resources (dimensions: $60M; 450 FTEs). Led PBC's (four) program operations, policy and planning, communications/public affairs, and corporate services. 9 executive direct reports plus EDG/DC's Office. Led PBC's annual strategic plan and integrated budget/resourcing cycle, synthesizing program needs with emerging priorities, triaging pressures and integrating advice. Drove innovation, partnership and accountability at PBC by leveraging multi-sector engagements, enhancing PBC's profile and improving its professional viability. Translate new statutory requirements into policy & practice. Extensive leadership in resolving complex human resource issues including administrative (internal) investigations; workplace management reviews (regional; National Office); job and classification grievances; termination on probation; judicial reviews on employment matters. Final level decision-maker on all grievances related to human resources authorities for PBC staff.

Governance: Chair or Member of various fora: senior management; litigation; policy; labor management; program evaluation; IM/IT governance; professional standards, etc.

• Complete renewal of PBC's policy framework providing legally up-to-date guidance to Board members in formulating highly complex decisions
• Harmonized PBC program operations and staffing strategies across five regions
• Bolstered PBC labor-management relations, developing highly trusting and effective partnership with labor union president and other representatives
• Significantly grew PBC outreach and engagement activities, expanding scope of engagements
• Stabilized PBC's financial resources (integrity $), grew legal services supports, bolstered frontline program delivery capacity & introduced 'manageable workday' for Board members
• Expanded PBC culturally responsive hearings for Indigenous, Black and women offenders
• Introduced Talent Management Framework to PBC

Director, Portfolio Policy & Governance at Transport Canada (2015-07 – 2018-03)

EX-01. Leadership for 300+ GiC and Ministerial appointments across 54 portfolio organizations with direct daily support to the Minister's Office and close collaboration with PCO Senior Personnel, PMO advisors, portfolio CEOs & BoD.

Portfolio management of: (i) Canadian Air Transportation Security Authority (CATSA); (ii) Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL); (iii) Ridley Terminals Incorporated (RTI); (iv) Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority ('Peace Bridge'). Responsibility for and oversight of multimillion-dollar monthly drawdowns for two Crowns.

• Settled $300m claim against the Crown on St. Lawrence Seaway litigation with First Nations community, including serving as principal federal negotiator with the Grand Chief
• Lead TC interdepartmental work concerning First Nations and Border Crossing issues
• Managed contentious criminal justice matters such as the repatriation of Omar Khadr to Canada; drafting Victims Bill of Rights; application of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy to pardon Western grain-farmers
• Appeared as an expert witness before both House of Commons and Senate committees
• Strengthened PBC corporate services capacity: values & ethics, business continuity, Management Accountability Framework, talent management, accessibility, sustainable development, anti-harassment training
• Led approximately 40 law reform projects, as well as numerous Government Responses to parliamentary committee reports
• Negotiated settlement of 40-year claim against the Crown by Indigenous community
• Negotiated a Master Service Level Agreement to harmonize provision of IT services
• Renewed the Clemency Program and Ministerial Guidelines for Royal Prerogative of Mercy

Director, Corrections & Criminal Justice Policy at Public Safety Canada (2011-04 – 2015-07)

EX-01. Broadly responsible for all legislative reform and national policy development governing federal corrections & conditional release in Canada: institutional and community corrections; international transfer of offenders; sex offender information registration; criminal records management. Briefed the Government House Leader, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of State (Consular Affairs); and the Parliamentary Secretaries of Justice and Public Safety.

Senior Advisor, Corrections Policy & Manager, Public Education and Citizen Engagement at Public Safety Canada (2006-02 – 2011-04)

PM-06, then EC-07

Head, First Nations Policing Policy at Public Safety Canada (2004-12 – 2006-02)

ES-06

Senior Policy Analyst, Strategic Policy at Solicitor General Canada (2001-09 – 2004-12)

PM-05, then PM-06. Various policy advisory, program management, research, partnership & engagement responsibilities.

Executive Leadership Development Program – Treasury Board Secretariat

Executive Leadership Program – Institute on Governance

Master of Arts in Legal Studies – Carleton University

Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Political Science – Western University