Ottawa, Ontario
Commodore Andrea Siew, CD (Retired) has shown her dedication to Veterans through a number of organizations. She served for six years as the director of The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command service officers, was senior policy advisory with the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman, and is now co-chair of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Policy Advisory Group. She drives forward the need for change for under-served, under-represented Veterans, particularly women Veterans, naval Veterans, and Veterans from the broader intelligence community.
Commodore Andrea Siew, CD (Retired) left the Canadian Armed Forces in 2008, following 28 years of service. She was the first female Intelligence Branch officer to be promoted to wear general/flag officer rank.
From 2008 to 2014, Andrea served as the director The Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command service officers. This position involved engaging at the national executive level to develop national advocacy priorities focused on improving the care and support for all Veterans and their families.
From 2015 to 2020, Andrea was senior policy advisor with the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman. Through her research, work with stakeholders and recommendations she submitted, she helped drive change and improvements to the service delivery and care of Veterans.
Andrea was one of the first in Canada to speak out about the challenges and needs of women Veterans, and the need for sex and gender based research to inform policy. In 2014, she spoke on these very issues in front of the Senate as part of their study on transitioning from the military.
Andrea has continued her work as volunteer co-chair of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Policy Advisory Group, chair of The Royal Canadian Legion’s Defence and Security Committee, a director with the Legion’s national foundation, and a member of the Women Veterans Research and Engagement Network. Andrea is also active in the Women, Peace and Security Network of Canada and, as past-president of the Canadian Military Intelligence Association, supports and advocates for members of the defence intelligence enterprise.
In June 2020, Andrea was appointed to Intelligence Branch Colonel Commandant.