CAE Executive and Leadership Team

May, 2026

Leadership Overview

CAE has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, finance, operations, technology, legal, and business units.

Driven by innovation, CAE is dedicated to enhancing safety, performance, and readiness through advanced simulation and training solutions for aviation and defense.

Leadership Roles at CAE

  • Chief Executive Officer - Carlos Leite Brandao
  • Chief Financial Officer - Ryan McLeod
  • Chief Financial Officer (Interim) - Constantino Malatesta
  • Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer - Sonya Branco
  • Chief Operating Officer - Nick Leontidis
  • President, Flightscape - Carter Copeland
  • Chief Technology Officer - Emmanuel Levitte
  • Chief of Staff To Chief Information Officer, Organizational Performance Lead - Niv Randrianarisoa
  • Chief Legal Officer - Mark Hounsell
  • Chief Finance Officer - Frances Meiklejohn
  • Carlos Leite Brandao - Chief Executive Officer

    Carlos Leite Brandao, the Chief Executive Officer at CAE, directs the company's overall strategy and global operations. This leadership role involves setting the vision for CAE's advanced simulation and training solutions across the aviation and defense sectors. Brandao ensures that the company's technological advancements align with market demands, driving performance and readiness for professionals in high-pressure environments. Overseeing all business units, Carlos Leite Brandao guarantees the effective execution of strategic initiatives, fostering innovation and maintaining CAE's position as a global technology leader. The CEO's mandate includes expanding market reach and strengthening customer relationships worldwide, ensuring sustained growth and operational excellence.

    Ryan McLeod - Chief Financial Officer

    Ryan McLeod, the Chief Financial Officer at CAE, manages the company's financial strategy and operations. This critical function involves overseeing all fiscal activities, including financial planning, reporting, and capital allocation. McLeod ensures robust financial controls and drives initiatives to optimize profitability and shareholder value. The Chief Financial Officer's responsibilities extend to managing investor relations and securing funding for strategic growth opportunities. By analyzing market trends and economic conditions, Ryan McLeod provides essential financial insights to support executive decision-making, ensuring CAE's financial health and long-term stability. This role is pivotal in maintaining investor confidence and guiding the company's financial trajectory.
    Ryan McLeod

    Constantino Malatesta - Chief Financial Officer (Interim)

    Constantino Malatesta, the Chief Financial Officer (Interim) at CAE, provides critical financial oversight during this transitional period. This role involves managing immediate financial operations, ensuring continuity and stability across all fiscal activities. Malatesta supports the executive team with timely financial reporting and analysis, maintaining robust financial controls. The Chief Financial Officer (Interim) plays a key part in overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and resource allocation to support ongoing business objectives. By ensuring adherence to financial regulations and best practices, Constantino Malatesta contributes to the company's financial integrity and operational resilience while a permanent CFO is identified.

    Sonya Branco - Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer

    Sonya Branco, the Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer at CAE, directs the company's comprehensive financial management and strategic planning. This leadership role encompasses overseeing all financial operations, including accounting, treasury, and financial analysis, to ensure fiscal health and growth. Branco is instrumental in developing financial strategies that support CAE's global expansion and technological innovation in simulation and training. The Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer ensures compliance with financial regulations and enhances investor relations through transparent reporting. By providing critical financial insights, Sonya Branco guides executive decisions, reinforcing CAE's commitment to operational excellence and sustained profitability in the aviation and defense sectors.

    Nick Leontidis - Chief Operating Officer

    Nick Leontidis, the Chief Operating Officer at CAE, directs the company's global operational execution and efficiency. This leadership position involves optimizing day-to-day business activities across all divisions, ensuring seamless delivery of training, simulation, and mission-critical support solutions. Leontidis focuses on enhancing operational performance, driving productivity, and maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. The Chief Operating Officer oversees the integration of new technologies and processes to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction. By managing complex global operations, Nick Leontidis ensures that CAE effectively meets the evolving needs of its aviation and defense clients, reinforcing the company's commitment to readiness and performance enhancement.
    Nick Leontidis

    Carter Copeland - President, Flightscape

    Carter Copeland, the President, Flightscape at CAE, directs the strategic vision and operational execution for the Flightscape business unit. This leadership role involves driving innovation and growth within CAE's flight simulation and training solutions, focusing on enhancing pilot proficiency and safety. Copeland oversees the development and delivery of advanced simulation technologies, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of commercial and defense aviation clients. The President, Flightscape is responsible for market expansion, customer engagement, and ensuring the unit's contribution to CAE's overall mission. By leading Flightscape, Carter Copeland reinforces CAE's commitment to providing world-class training and simulation capabilities, enhancing performance and readiness in critical aviation operations.
    Carter Copeland

    Emmanuel Levitte - Chief Technology Officer

    Emmanuel Levitte, the Chief Technology Officer at CAE, spearheads the company's technological innovation and development. This role involves defining and executing CAE's technology strategy, focusing on advanced simulation, digital transformation, and cutting-edge training solutions. Levitte drives research and development efforts, ensuring CAE remains at the forefront of technological advancements in the aviation and defense industries. The Chief Technology Officer oversees the integration of new technologies into product offerings and operational processes, enhancing performance and safety for clients. By fostering a culture of innovation, Emmanuel Levitte ensures CAE's solutions are robust, scalable, and capable of meeting future industry challenges, solidifying the company's technological leadership.

    Niv Randrianarisoa - Chief of Staff To Chief Information Officer, Organizational Performance Lead

    Niv Randrianarisoa, the Chief of Staff To Chief Information Officer, Organizational Performance Lead at CAE, drives strategic initiatives and enhances organizational effectiveness. This multifaceted role involves supporting the Chief Information Officer in technology strategy execution and leading efforts to optimize organizational performance across the company. Randrianarisoa focuses on streamlining processes, improving internal communication, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Chief of Staff To Chief Information Officer, Organizational Performance Lead ensures alignment between technology roadmaps and business objectives, facilitating efficient operations. By championing performance-driven strategies, Niv Randrianarisoa contributes significantly to CAE's ability to deliver advanced simulation and training solutions effectively.
    Mark Hounsell, the Chief Legal Officer at CAE, provides strategic legal counsel and oversees all legal affairs for the company. This essential role involves managing corporate governance, compliance, risk management, and litigation across CAE's global operations. Hounsell ensures that all business activities adhere to relevant laws and regulations, safeguarding the company's interests. The Chief Legal Officer advises the executive team and the Board of Directors on legal matters, supporting strategic decision-making and mitigating potential liabilities. By maintaining a strong legal framework, Mark Hounsell contributes to CAE's ethical operations and its ability to navigate complex international business environments, ensuring stability and trust.

    Frances Meiklejohn - Chief Finance Officer

    Frances Meiklejohn, the Chief Finance Officer at CAE, leads the company's financial strategy and management. This position involves overseeing all aspects of financial planning, reporting, and analysis to support CAE's global operations in simulation and training. Meiklejohn ensures robust financial controls and drives initiatives aimed at optimizing financial performance and shareholder value. The Chief Finance Officer plays a crucial role in capital allocation, risk management, and maintaining strong relationships with financial institutions and investors. By providing strategic financial guidance, Frances Meiklejohn supports executive decision-making, ensuring CAE's financial stability and facilitating its continued growth in the aviation and defense industries.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding CAE Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads CAE?
    CAE is led by Carlos Leite Brandao (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Ryan McLeod (Chief Financial Officer) and Constantino Malatesta (Chief Financial Officer (Interim)).
    Who is part of CAE’s executive team?
    The executive team of CAE includes leaders such as Carlos Leite Brandao (Chief Executive Officer), Ryan McLeod (Chief Financial Officer), Constantino Malatesta (Chief Financial Officer (Interim)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does CAE have?
    CAE has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in CAE’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of CAE includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer (Interim), Vice President, Finance & Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer.