NyRAD

Kalyn is a meticulous, task-driven professional with more than 12 years of experience supporting complex, client-focused business operations. Since joining NyRad, Kalyn has taken on an increasingly central role in the firm’s IRB/ITB management practice, developing a strong working knowledge of the policy, its reporting requirements, and the operational processes that underpin successful IRB delivery. Her growing expertise in file coordination, data tracking, milestone management, and stakeholder communication positions her to lead much of the day-to-day execution of IRB-related activities.  

Drawing on her background in logistics, project planning, budget administration, and team coordination, Kalyn excels at structuring workflows, maintaining momentum across multiple files, and ensuring accuracy and completeness in all deliverables. She brings an exceptional ability to manage internal and external communications, coordinate cross-functional activities, and provide reliable, detail-driven operational leadership to the NyRad team and its clients.  

Kalyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  

Jack MacDonald is a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces accumulating over 35 years of operations and leadership experience across industry and the federal government, specializing in complex project-oriented organizations and major defence procurements.   

Jack has held various senior and executive level roles in defence industry with responsibility for delivering Defence, Critical Infrastructure, and Public Safety lines of business. 

While in government he held a key leadership role with the responsibility for the technical requirements and bid evaluation for the Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class Destroyer program – at the time, Canada’s largest-ever procurement with significant Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) and Value Proposition (VP) requirements.  

His solid understanding of government-industry relationships within the defence sector extends to the ITB policy, having previously led that portfolio at two large defence companies, where he managed multi-billion dollar offset programs.   

Jack holds a Masters and a Bachelor of Engineering from the Royal Military College of Canada. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) professional. 

Brian Botting brings more than four decades of experience at the intersection of defence procurement, industrial policy and government-industry relations in Canada and internationally. His career spans senior roles in the federal government and the private sector, giving him a uniquely well-rounded perspective on how defence policy, procurement and industrial objectives come together in practice.

Prior to joining NyRad, Brian served as Director, Defence Industrial Strategy and as a defence advisor in the Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, contributing directly to some of Canada’s most important defence industrial policy priorities.

Previously, Brian was Director of Strategic Offsets at General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada, where he supported the company’s strategic offset and industrial participation activities and contributed to major defence proposals. Earlier in his career, he spent more than 20 years in senior management roles within the Government of Canada, including within Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits program.

Brian’s experience also includes managing defence procurement engagements with a leading government relations firm, service in the Royal Canadian Navy, and work with the Government of New Zealand.

This breadth of experience gives Brian a distinctive understanding of Canadian defence procurement from multiple perspectives: government policymaker, program practitioner, industry executive and strategic advisor. At NyRad, he brings this experience to clients navigating complex defence procurements, industrial strategies and ITB and Value Proposition requirements.

Brian is a graduate of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.

Helen has over 20 years of professional experience working with numerous public and private sector clients in the areas of strategic planning, project management, performance measurement, process improvement, governance, risk management, and internal controls.  

 As an experienced Business and Project Manager, she has delivered over 50 projects with a demonstrated history of successfully achieving project outcomes and objectives. In the last 10 years, Helen has been in a management role, working frequently with senior executives and Boards or Audit Committees to lead the execution of and assessment of strategic projects.  

 Helen’s most recent experience leading Seaspan’s ITB and subcontracts teams provided her with a deep understanding of federal government contracting, proposal development and management. Helen’s experience with partnering, subcontracting, and costing on major proposals provides our clients with deep expertise and capable hands to manage risk and cost throughout the capture and proposal process.    

 Helen holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University and is a Certified Internal Auditor.  

Vince is a seasoned expert in industrial policy and defence procurement, bringing over 13 years of experience from his roles with the Department of National Defence and Canada Economic Development. With a career spanning strategic policy development, project oversight, and defence industry engagement, he brings a wealth of knowledge to his work in both the Canadian and international sectors.

During his tenure at Canada Economic Development (CED-Q), a Regional Development Agency, Vince played a pivotal role in administering Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy. He was instrumental in engaging with various suppliers, ensuring compliance with ITB commitments, thereby fostering economic opportunities nationwide. Additionally, Vince served on several evaluation committees, where he assessed ITB/VP proposals across multiple Defence procurements.

His commitment to service is rooted in his extensive Army Reserve career, which began in 2001 and includes both domestic and international deployments. Vince is also a graduate of the Canadian Force’s College Joint Command and Staff Programme, where he honed his leadership and operational planning skills.

Academically, Vince holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke and a Master of Science from Universidad Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. He is currently expanding his expertise by completing an Executive MBA at Henley Business School in the United Kingdom, which will further enhance his strategic insight into global business practices and defence procurement.

Heather Tillsley is a Senior Associate at NyRad with more than five years of direct experience supporting clients across complex Industrial and Technological Benefits and Value Proposition files. Since joining NyRad, Heather has become a trusted member of the firm’s ITB/VP delivery team, supporting prime contractors and suppliers with the practical execution of ITB obligations, transaction development, reporting, documentation, stakeholder coordination, and day-to-day portfolio management. Her strength lies in translating policy requirements into disciplined, client-ready implementation; bringing structure, accuracy, and momentum to files where compliance, credibility, and attention to detail matter.

Heather’s ITB/VP experience spans both strategic advisory and hands-on execution. She supports clients in understanding policy requirements, developing and managing eligible activities, preparing high-quality supporting documentation, tracking commitments, and maintaining the operational discipline required to deliver against long-term industrial participation obligations. Her ability to see both the broader program objectives and the detailed evidence required for successful credit recognition makes her particularly valuable on files where strong execution is essential to client confidence and government acceptance.

Before joining NyRad, Heather served as Industry Programs Coordinator at Ultra Electronics Sonar Systems, where she was deeply involved in the company’s domestic and international offset portfolio. In that role, she contributed to process development, portfolio coordination, and the advancement of a more structured and strategic approach to offset management. This combination of industry-side experience and more than five years of dedicated consulting work at NyRad gives Heather a practical, well-rounded understanding of how ITB/VP commitments are designed, documented, managed, and delivered.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an Advanced Major in Accounting from St. Francis Xavier University.