Jillian Stirk

Jillian Stirk is a former Canadian ambassador and public service executive with experience in international affairs, public policy, and multilateral negotiations. Until June 2013, she was chief foreign policy officer and assistant deputy minister of strategic policy, global issues, and European affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. She served as Canada's ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway until 2009, following postings to Poland and to Canada's delegations to the United Nations (Vienna), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

In 2010, Ms. Stirk led the Department's Afghan Task Force during the transition to a civilian mission. In 2013, she prepared Canada's chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Ms Stirk received the Minister's Award for Foreign Policy Excellence in 2001 for her work during the Kosovo crisis, and the Deputy Ministers' Award for Lifetime Achievement in June 2013.

Ms Stirk is a graduate of the University of British Columbia and holds a master's degree from Carleton University.  Having returned to Vancouver in 2014, Ms Stirk provides consulting services and volunteers with a number of academic and community organizations. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the West Vancouver Memorial Library, is a student mentor at the University of British Columbia, and has been a community leader at the Minerva Foundation for BC Women. She enjoys travel, music, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities.