Sara Wilshaw

A senior government executive with over 30 years of public service experience, Ms. Wilshaw is currently Chief Trade Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada. In this role, she leads a global team that helps Canadian businesses explore international markets, find new customers and partners, problem-solve and promote growth through exports. (www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca). Sara also leads work across global trade support services, including export finance, foreign investment, recruitment of international students and 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 on Canada-U.S. relations also includes 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 also 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. She is married and has two children.