The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans Welcomes New Board Member, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Joanne Seviour

We are thrilled to announce that Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Joanne Seviour has joined the Board of Directors at the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE). Joanne brings an impressive 33 years of service with the Canadian Armed Forces, along with a wealth of professional experience and personal commitment to Veteran well-being.

Joanne’s military journey began with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets and continued as a Reservist with the 36th Service Battalion while studying at Memorial University of Newfoundland. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, she worked as an analytical chemist before transferring to the Regular Force in 1984 as an Army Logistics Officer.

Throughout her distinguished career, Joanne held various leadership roles, including Commanding Officer of the newly formed Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Unit in the Atlantic Region, Area Environmental Officer for Atlantic Canada, and G4 for the Atlantic Training Brigade. She also served as Civil-Military Cooperation Operations Officer in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2004, where she worked closely with local leaders, aid agencies, and international organizations.

While preparing for another deployment in 2005, Joanne was diagnosed with a rare and incurable disease requiring open-heart surgery, marking the beginning of a decade-long healing journey. Her recovery led to profound personal growth, and she became a certified yoga and meditation teacher. Today, she is passionate about guiding others on their healing journeys through mindfulness and somatic practices.

Joanne holds a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and a Master’s in Environmental Science from Dalhousie University. Her accolades include the General Campaign Star – South-West Asia, the Canadian Forces Decoration with First Clasp, and commendations from the Chief of Defense Staff and the Kabul Multinational Brigade.

A certified Baptiste yoga teacher, yoga therapist, and stretch therapist, Joanne is also an avid sailor and skier. Her combination of military expertise, personal resilience, and dedication to healing aligns perfectly with CPCoE’s mission to improve the lives of Veterans and their families.

We are confident that Joanne’s extensive experience and deep commitment to Veteran well-being will significantly enhance our operations and impact. Her leadership and lived experiences bring valuable perspectives to our team.