Jennifer Irish

Ms. Irish has extensive leadership experience in foreign affairs, refugee issues, and national and international security - built during a career spanning more than 35 years. She is currently an Associate at University of Ottawa’s Telfer Centre for Executive Leadership, co-directing its Canada Security and Intelligence Leadership Program.

Ms. Irish served 3 times at the Privy Council Office, including as Director of Operations of Canada’s Intelligence Assessment Secretariat, which produces global intelligence assessments and provides coordination and professionalization services to intelligence analysts. Prior, she served as Director General at Canada’s Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre which assesses threats related to violent extremism and terrorism.

She also has executive-level experience at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada - primarily leading refugee affairs and coordinating and leading strategic policy.

Her more than 20 years in Canada’s foreign service included postings to embassies in Israel (and Cyprus), Cuba, Mexico and at Canada’s Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva. At HQ she led teams in the International Security and International Environment bureaux, and served as negotiator for a number of international agreements including the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Ms. Irish currently provides training and advisory services through her consultancy.