Biographical notes

Joanne Lemay (LLB, University of Montréal, 1992; MA [International Relations], Budapest University of Economic Sciences, 1994) was called to the Quebec bar in 1993 and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997, undertaking various assignments in Canada and abroad. At Headquarters in Ottawa, she served in the Central Europe Division and in the Trade Commissioner Service Renewal Division. Ms. Lemay first served abroad as trade commissioner in Kuwait City as well as in Warsaw. She then headed the Canadian consulate in Guadalajara and subsequently served as consul and senior trade commissioner in Chicago. From 2013 to 2016, she was appointed as ambassador to Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova. Most recently, Ms. Lemay was director and senior trade commissioner at the Quebec and Nunavut Regional Office of Global Affairs Canada in Montréal.

Ian G. McKay (MBA, Queen’s University, 2005; ICD.D, Rotman School of Management, 2021) is a native of British Columbia. He has worked in international financial markets in London, Tokyo and New York City and as senior policy adviser to Cabinet ministers in the Government of Canada. He was a broker and a managing director at Euro Brokers Investment Corporation, director of Canadian energy markets at ICAP Energy Ltd., national director of the Liberal Party of Canada and CEO of the Vancouver Economic Commission. In January 2018, Mr. McKay was named special envoy to assist with Canada’s participation in the negotiation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership in Tokyo. In March 2018, he began serving as the founding CEO of Invest in Canada. Fluent in Japanese, Mr. McKay studied political science and Asian studies at the University of British Columbia.