Lieutenant-Colonel Sharlene Harding is Head Coach of the Canadian CISM Women’s Basketball team, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Contingent at NATO SHAPE HQ and the Deputy Canadian National Military Representative to NATO SHAPE HQ, is a seasoned veteran when it comes to sports. After 25 years of playing at the university and international level through CAF, she believes she is a better leader for it. For years she honed time management skills. It is not easy to eat as if you are fueling your body, get enough rest, manage a busy schedule and, climb the “chain of command.” Her sports training has made her mentally tough, resilient to what the CAF has to throw at her. She has had various successful deployments to the far reaches of the world, managed a rewarding career and is currently raising a happy, balanced family. LCol Harding continues to be amused by running into so many random people she’s met during her sports and CAF career in international airports all over the world.