Kirsten Hillman

Her Excellency
Kirsten Hillman
Hillman in 2024
Canadian Ambassador to the United States
Incumbent
Assumed office
August 31, 2019
Acting: August 31, 2019 — March 26, 2020
Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau
Preceded byDavid MacNaughton
Personal details
NationalityCanadian
EducationUniversity of Manitoba (BA)
McGill University (JD, BCL)
ProfessionLawyer, diplomat

Kirsten Hillman is a Canadian lawyer and diplomat who was appointed as Canadian ambassador to the United States on March 26, 2020.[1] She is the first woman to serve in this role. In 2019, she had been appointed as acting ambassador, taking over from David MacNaughton.[2] Prior to this, she served as deputy ambassador at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

Early life and education

Hillman grew up in Calgary and Winnipeg.[3] She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Manitoba (1990), [4] as well as civil law and common law degrees from McGill University.[5]

Career

Hillman worked as a lawyer in private practice in Montreal, and for the Department of Justice in Ottawa.[5] She was assistant deputy minister of the trade agreements and negotiations branch at Global Affairs Canada, serving as Canada's senior legal adviser to the World Trade Organization and chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.[5]

In August 2017, Hillman began working at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C., serving as deputy ambassador[5] before being appointed acting ambassador when David MacNaughton resigned in August 2019.[6] She played a central role in 2018 negotiations for a replacement to the North American Free Trade Agreement and in keeping the Canada–United States border open to trade and commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Hillman's appointment as ambassador to the U.S. on March 26, 2020,[6] making her the first woman to hold the post.[7] As a career public servant, she is not seen as a political appointee.[8] Her appointment was viewed as a choice that would find favour among both Conservatives and Liberals.[9]

She was recognized in the Maclean's magazine 2022 Power List, 50 Canadians who are forging paths, leading the debate and shaping how we think and live,[10] – and named one of Washington’s most powerful women by the Washingtonian in 2021[11] and 2023.[12]

References

  1. ^ Simpson, Katie (March 26, 2020). "Kirsten Hillman officially named Canadian ambassador to the United States". CBC. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. ^ "Acting Ambassador of Canada to the United States". Government of Canada. March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  3. ^ "Kirsten Hillman". Connect 2 Canada. November 15, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  4. ^ "Biography". Government of Canada. March 28, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d Carolino, Bernise (April 3, 2020). "Lawyer Kirsten Hillman is the first woman to be appointed Canada's ambassador to the U.S." Canadian Lawyer Magazine. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c McCarten, James (March 26, 2020). "Kirsten Hillman to be officially named Canada's ambassador to U.S." The Canadian Press. Global News. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Martin, Lawrence (March 27, 2020). "Normalcy will return: Canada's new U.S. ambassador strikes a chord of confidence". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  8. ^ Delacourt, Susan (February 11, 2020). "Trudeau eyes different kind of envoy to Washington". Kelowna Daily Courier. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  9. ^ McCarten, James (March 26, 2020). "Trudeau names Kirsten Hillman as next ambassador to U.S." CP 24. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  10. ^ https://macleans.ca/rankings/power-list-2022/
  11. ^ https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/10/13/washingtons-most-powerful-women-2021/#internationalpowers
  12. ^ Canada, Global Affairs (March 28, 2019). "Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States". GAC. Retrieved October 2, 2024.