Dr. Bill Danielsen is a senior executive, educator, and researcher with over 29 years of leadership experience across federal government, defence, and international sectors. His work spans digital transformation, cybersecurity, digital identity, insider‑threat mitigation, crisis management, and organizational resilience. He has served in some of Canada’s most sensitive leadership roles, including Chief Information Officer at the Privy Council Office and senior positions in national security and emergency management. His research explores the intersection of leadership, ethics, personality, and risk, with a focus on insider‑threat prevention and organizational behaviour.
Experience
Dr. Danielsen has held senior executive roles overseeing national-level initiatives in digital identity, cybersecurity, Information Technology (IT) modernization, crisis management, and emergency response. He has served as Chief Information Officer and Special Advisor at the Privy Council Office (PCO) and as Executive Director of Enterprise Identity Services at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), supporting programs exceeding $250 billion. His leadership includes directing IT teams, security, risk, and emergency management portfolios across major federal organizations both domestically and internationally.
Education
2025
Doctor of Business Administration
Royal Roads University
2013
Master of Business Administration
Royal Roads University
2008
Bachelor of Arts
University of Victoria
1993
Protective Security Certificate
Algonquin College
Awards
2024
Associate Deputy Minister Award
Awarded for Technical Innovation
2021
Deputy Minister Award
Awarded for Innovation
2021
Associate Deputy Minister Award
Awarded for Creating and Fostering a Healthy and Inclusive Workplace
Research
Research interest
Insider Threat Prevention & Organizational Resilience
Leadership, Ethics & Behavioural Risk
Digital Identity, Fraud Prevention & Cybersecurity
Publications
Danielsen, B. (2025). Insider Threat: How Social Bonds May Mitigate Dark Triad Personality Traits (Doctoral dissertation). Royal Roads University.
Danielsen, B. (2024). The “Dark Triad” and Donald Trump: What sends some to the C‑suite and others to prison. The Conversation.
Danielsen, B. (2024). Does more darkness equal more money? The relationship between the Dark Triad and income. Royal Roads University.
Danielsen, B. (2022). The Critical Need for Predictive Insider Threat Prevention Programs. Public Sector Risk Management Conference.
Danielsen, B. (2021). The Ethical Imperative for A Priori Insider Threat Prevention Programs. Peer‑reviewed conference presentation.
Danielsen, B. (2021). The Importance of Effective Digital Identity Management Tools to Reduce Fraud Risk. Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (BC Branch). Co‑presented with Dr. Mark Lokanan.