About

Gitane De Silva, ICD.D, Founder & Principal

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

Gitane currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Public Policy Forum and is a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. From 2020 to 2023, she was CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator, Canada’s national energy regulator responsible for regulating interprovincial and international pipelines and powerlines to ensure 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.

Gitane served as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States from 2016-2019 based out of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. working to enhance bilateral trade and cooperation. Gitane was Alberta’s Deputy Minister for International and Intergovernmental Relations from 2013 to 2016, developing a strong appreciation for questions of jurisdiction and the opportunities created when governments work together.

Before joining the Alberta Public Service, Gitane spent 12 years in Canada’s Foreign Service as a specialist in Canada-U.S. relations, serving in a variety of roles, including as Consul General of Canada in Chicago.

Gitane also served as Deputy Head of Agency at Status of Women Canada and Director General, APEC Women and the Economy Summit. She is a past recipient of the International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference Award.