Sara Wilshaw

A senior government executive with over 30 years of public service experience, Ms.Wilshaw is currently Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, International Trade and Chief Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada. In this role she leads a global team that helps Canadian businesses to secure and explore international markets, find new customers and partners, problem solve and grow through exports. Sara also leads work across global trade support services, including export finance, inbound foreign investment, inclusive trade and the promotion of responsible business conduct.

Prior to this, Sara served as Director of Operations, Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat at the Privy Council Office. In this role she provided strategic analysis on matters concerning Canada-U.S. relations, Latin America, trade, climate change, human rights and the United Nations.

Sara’s experience also includes serving as Director General for North America at Global Affairs Canada during the renegotiation of NAFTA, and as Canada’s Consul General in Dallas. She has served abroad as Minister Commercial at the High Commission of Canada in India, at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, and at the Embassy of Canada in Japan.

Ms. Wilshaw is a graduate of York University’s International Relations and Economics
program.