Gitane De Silva is a public policy leader with executive experience at the provincial, national, and international levels and expertise in the areas of energy and environment, intergovernmental relations, and Canada-U.S. relations.

As CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator from 2020 to 2023, De Silva ensured the safe and efficient delivery of energy to Canada and the world, while also protecting the environment, advancing Reconciliation, and providing relevant and timely energy information and analysis. As Alberta’s Deputy Minister for International and Intergovernmental Relations, De Silva directly served four Premiers and advocated for Alberta’s interests domestically and internationally.

De Silva is a seasoned diplomat and a specialist in Canada-U.S. relations, having served as Alberta’s Senior Representative in Washington, DC during the first Trump Administration, and as Canada’s Consul General in Chicago, among other roles. She promoted trade, investment and energy infrastructure, and was also involved in the negotiations of several trade and environmental agreements, including the Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement, the Canada Free Trade Agreement and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

De Silva is the Founder and President of the consulting firm, GDStrategic. She is also a Managing Director with Negotiations Collective, a Special Advisor at Blue Rock Law, a former Global Fellow with the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, and a Board Member with the Public Policy Forum. She is a sought after speaker and strategist who is known for her ability to explain complex issues in an accessible way. She loves talking about geopolitics, Canada-U.S. relations, Canada’s energy sector, how Canada works, and why Wonder Woman is the superhero of diplomacy.