The Conference of Defence Associations and the CDA Institute, in collaboration with Vanguard Magazine, have created the Captain Nichola Goddard “Game Changer” Award to recognize and honour a young Canadian innovator and trailblazer who has made a significant contribution to Canadian security and defence.

Captain Nichola Goddard’s name was chosen for this new award because she was very much a game changer in her own right. Nichola was the first Canadian female soldier in a combat role killed in action (in Afghanistan on 17 May 2006). This award is about remembering Nichola’s vibrant spirit and celebrating other “Game Changers” who live by Canadian values of inclusivity, innovation, ethical leadership and commitment.

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