Biographical notes – Diplomatic appointments

Sharon Armstrong (BA Hons [International Development], University of Guelph, 1994; MBA [International Management], University of Geneva, 2012) joined the Government of Canada in 1996 and has served with both the Canadian International Development Agency and Global Affairs Canada. She has spent her career working to advance international cooperation in economic and social development, human rights and humanitarian assistance, in both multilateral and bilateral assignments. Abroad, Ms. Armstrong has served with Canada’s Permanent Delegation to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; at the Embassy to Indonesia, with concurrent responsibilities for Canada’s Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; and at the Office of the Embassy to Bolivia. Ms. Armstrong also served in Geneva, where she was seconded to the World Health Organization. Most recently, she was director general of the International Assistance Partnerships and Strategic Coordination Bureau.

Evelyne Dabiré (General Academic Studies Degree [Economics], University of Ouagadougou, 1997; master’s degree [Management Sciences], University of Ouagadougou, 1999; MBA [International Management], Laval University, 2004) joined the Canadian International Development Agency in 2008. At Headquarters, she has been an international development officer for the Benin Bilateral Program, a strategic planning analyst in the West and Central Africa Bureau and an international development officer in the Partnerships for Innovation in Development Bureau. She was also a senior development officer for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Bilateral Program and chief of staff in the Pan-African and Regional Affairs Bureau (2021 to 2023). Abroad, Ms. Dabiré served as second secretary (development) and first secretary (development) in Ethiopia (2016 to 2020). Most recently, she was head of cooperation and head of the embassy office in Benin. 

Kevin Rex (BA [Political Studies], Queen’s University, 1995; MA [Public Policy], New York University, 1999) joined the federal government in 2000. During his time in Ottawa, he has served as foreign policy adviser in the Privy Council Office, acting policy director of the Canadian International Development Agency’s Afghanistan Task Force and deputy director in Global Affairs Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force while also serving in the Canadian Army Reserve. His executive roles have included director of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Division. Overseas, he has served with the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York City and with Joint Task Force Afghanistan in Kandahar. He has served as political counsellor at the Embassy to Serbia, and was ambassador to Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania from 2018 to 2022. Most recently, he was director general of Security and Readiness and Global Affairs Canada’s chief security officer.