Lisa Smid hails from Rushoon, Newfoundland. She joined the Canadian Armed Forces as part of the Regular Officer Training Program initially studying at College Militaire Royal in St. Jean, Quebec. She graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, having completed a degree with honours in Civil Engineering. Later she also completed a Masters in Business Administration at the Royal Military College.
In her military service, Lieutenant-Colonel Smid served in multiple staff and command positions in the Canadian Army culminating as Commanding Officer 1 CMBG HQ & Signal Squadron in the Regular Force and now given the honour to serve as Commanding Officer, 31 Signal Regiment Signal, Hamilton, ON and Deputy Director Army Reserve Signals with Canadian Army Headquarters. She deployed on OP APOLLO, Afghanistan, OP LUSTRE, Alberta and most recently OP LASER, Ontario. She has been awarded Canadian Army Commander and Canadian Joint Operations Commander Commendations and is appointed as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit.
Lisa is also employed as a contractor for General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada with focus on Land Command Support Systems operational architecture, doctrine and training and systems engineering. She serves on the Board of the Fort Erie Arts Council and is an active member of church and school committees.
Lisa and the late Lieutenant-Colonel (ret) Ryan Smid of Swift Current, Saskatchewan have two beautiful daughters, Tatyana and Natalya. She loves all outdoor activities, anything and everything Miliary Signals related and when not enjoying time with her family, she can be found with her nose in a great mystery book.