A Canadian leader for the world.

Deirdre is a diplomat in the Canadian Foreign Service with the federal government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Since joining the Foreign Service in 1994, she has had diverse diplomatic assignments that have taken her to all corners of the globe representing the foreign policy interests of Canada internationally.

She began her career developing trade policy for Canada with India. Her next assignment was in Singapore and Brunei in South East Asia. Deirdre has spent significant time working on the Middle East Peace Process both in Ottawa and during a posting to the Canadian Embassy in Israel. Professionally, she has focused on human rights and multilateral diplomacy. Her current assignment in Geneva is the culmination of these interests. At the Canadian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Deirdre works to promote and protect human rights through the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Prior to settling on a career in diplomacy, Deirdre explored a number of professions including managing a ski hotel in the French Alps, international banking, computer consultancy, sales, secretarial work, international luxury travel marketing, technical writing and financial analysis.

While at KCSS, Deirdre was a member of the school band and the manager of the ski team. With the Swiss and French Alps at her doorstep, she continues to be an avid skier in the winter and hiker in the summer. While no longer practicing the trumpet, she does continue to play the piano and loves live music. Not surprisingly, travel is a favourite pastime for Deirdre and her family. She currently lives in Geneva, Switzerland with her husband Cameron MacKay, also a Canadian diplomat, and their two young children, Ciara and Callum. When in Canada, their home is in Ottawa.

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Editor’s note:  Deirdre’s career places her in the company of Canadians such as O. D. Skelton, Norman Robertson, Escott Reid and Lester Pearson, whose achievements during the past 100 years have made this nation a respected leader in the field of diplomatic. Deirdre Kent served as the Canadian Ambassador to Norway 2021-2023.

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