Gitane De Silva

Founder & Principal
GD Strategic
Biography: 

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

Gitane was CEO of the Canada Energy Regulator from 2020 to 2023, 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.

From 2016 to 2019, she served as Alberta’s Senior Representative to the United States 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 2019.

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 where she worked on women in leadership and women’s economic empowerment.

Gitane holds a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and her ICD.D designation. She is a 2013 recipient of The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference Award.