The Journey Behind the Ships


Wanito Bernadin is a Canadian executive technology leader, slow flip real estate investor, author, and speaker. He currently serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Data Officer (CDO) for Library and Archives Canada. A dedicated mentor, Bernadin is the author of Dad's Car Rides and the creator of the Ships of Adulthood life mastery framework.

I was born to Haitian parents in Montreal, Quebec. I grew up between Montreal and Ottawa before heading to school in the Niagara region, where I met my wife. We built our life there and welcomed our two daughters before eventually returning to Ottawa.

Today, I serve as Chief Information Officer at Library and Archives Canada, the federal institution responsible for preserving and providing access to Canada’s documentary heritage. Over the years, I have also served as Chief Information Officer at the National Capital Commission, held executive roles at the Canada Revenue Agency and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, and led teams in the private sector.

My work has involved stewarding large public budgets, leading national-scale digital initiatives, managing complex technology portfolios, and developing teams of professionals across disciplines. I have advised senior leaders and ministers, chaired governance boards, built business process optimization programs, and guided organizations through change.

Before entering the federal government, I spent many years in the technology industry leading consulting, project management, sales, and overall business operations. Those years shaped how I think about value creation, accountability, and leadership.

Alongside my professional life, I have remained committed to community and faith. I have served as a youth leader and church elder, mentored young professionals, spoken in rooms large and small, and contributed where help was needed.

I am, by nature, an introvert. I prefer depth over volume, and real conversations over small talk. I was raised in a time when self-promotion was considered unnecessary. For much of my adult life, I maintained a low online presence.

I first created this space for my daughters. Dad’s Car Rides began as a way to capture lessons I wanted them to return to as they grew. Over time, I realized those conversations reflected something broader. The same principles that guide a father raising his daughters also guide leaders stewarding institutions, husbands building marriages, professionals shaping careers, and adults carrying out their responsibilities. The Ships of Adulthood framework comes from my lived experience:

Worship
Friendship
Courtship
Scholarship
Workmanship
Stewardship
Mentorship

They reflect the dimensions of life I have had the privilege to navigate in my own journey. This space brings those experiences together. It is where I share lessons drawn from family, leadership, faith, public service, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. If something here strengthens your own journey, I am grateful. If you are navigating your own ships, welcome.

Connect with Wanito Bernadin Across the Web: