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Ambassador Kirsten Hillman

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  • North America's Leading Expert on Trade and International Economic Affairs
  • One of Canada's Longest Serving Ambassadors to the United States (2020-2026)

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When the rules of global trade are being rewritten, Kirsten Hillman is in the room.

As Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, she managed one of the world’s most important economic relationships through volatility, political turnover, and shifting trade doctrine. Trusted across party lines, she became a steady hand in Washington at a time when stability was anything but guaranteed.

She helped shape major international agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and played a key role in delivering USMCA—one of the most closely watched trade negotiations in recent history.

On stage, she breaks down what global uncertainty actually means for leaders, offering a clear, experience-backed view of how to navigate risk, protect partnerships, and make decisions when the landscape keeps changing.

 

Ambassador Kirsten Hillman headshot
Past Hosts Include:
  • Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
  • Howard University
  • National Retail Federation
  • National Foreign Trade Council
  • Global WIN (Women's Innovation Network)
  • University of Toronto
  • Meridian
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Canadian American Business Council
  • National Association of Manufacturers
Rave Reviews About Ambassador Kirsten Hillman
“
Few individuals possess the unparalleled depth of insight into the North American economic engine as Ambassador Kirsten Hillman. Having successfully navigated one of the most difficult political environments in American politics, she helped lead the historic modernization of our continental trade framework. She offers a masterclass in diplomacy and political strategy required to keep our borders open and supply chains resilient. This is why she has earned enormous respect from across the political spectrum on both sides of the border.

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More rave reviews

"As CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, I have seen firsthand the impact Ambassador Hillman has on audiences. She is a compelling speaker, bringing a rare combination of sharp insight, clarity, and genuine warmth that keeps audiences fully engaged. She delivers practical perspectives that help leaders better understand the forces shaping the Canada–U.S. relationship and the global economy."

-Beth Burke, CEO, Canadian American Business Council
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Full interview: Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman | Face the Nation and CBS News - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Ambassador Kirsten Hillman
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The Future of Global Trade: From Cooperation to Competition

One of North America's leading trade strategists KIRSTEN HILLMAN explores where global trade is heading as countries rethink dependencies, prioritize resilience, and compete for advantage. She helps audiences understand what to watch, what to prepare for, and where opportunity still exists. ...

One of North America's leading trade strategists KIRSTEN HILLMAN explores where global trade is heading as countries rethink dependencies, prioritize resilience, and compete for advantage. She helps audiences understand what to watch, what to prepare for, and where opportunity still exists.

Inside the USMCA: What the New North American Economy Demands

Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States KIRSTEN HILLMAN takes audiences behind the renegotiation of NAFTA and into the realities of modern North American trade. She breaks down what has changed, what matters now, and how businesses and leaders can position themselves within a more complex re ...

Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States KIRSTEN HILLMAN takes audiences behind the renegotiation of NAFTA and into the realities of modern North American trade. She breaks down what has changed, what matters now, and how businesses and leaders can position themselves within a more complex regional framework.

Navigating a World Where Trade Is No Longer Neutral

Drawing from years advising prime ministers and negotiating with global powers, KIRSTEN HILLMAN unpacks how trade has become a tool of politics, security, and competition. She gives audiences a clear view of what this shift means for global markets, supply chains, and long-term growth. ...

Drawing from years advising prime ministers and negotiating with global powers, KIRSTEN HILLMAN unpacks how trade has become a tool of politics, security, and competition. She gives audiences a clear view of what this shift means for global markets, supply chains, and long-term growth.

Making Progress Without Consensus

Diplomat and trusted voice in Washington KIRSTEN HILLMAN shares how she built durable relationships across Republican and Democratic leadership during moments of tension and transition. She translates diplomatic strategy into lessons on trust, influence, and leadership in polarized environments. ...

Diplomat and trusted voice in Washington KIRSTEN HILLMAN shares how she built durable relationships across Republican and Democratic leadership during moments of tension and transition. She translates diplomatic strategy into lessons on trust, influence, and leadership in polarized environments.

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Press & Media
Kirsten Hillman — 2026 Testimonial Dinner Award Honouree - Public Policy Forum
Canadian ambassador Kirsten Hillman on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Jan. 25, 2026 - CBS News
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Biography

Ambassador Kirsten Hillman is one of North America's leading experts on trade and international economic affairs. As one of Canada's longest serving Ambassadors to the United States from 2020-2026, and the first woman appointed to this role, she led the highly consequential U.S.-Canada relationship through a period of volatility and transformation, spanning three U.S. administrations, two Canadian governments, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout her tenure, Ambassador Hillman established herself as Canada's foremost strategic voice in Washington and across the U.S., building strong relationships with both Republicans and Democrats at the Federal and State levels.

With appointments to some of her country's most senior diplomatic, policy, and trade positions, Ambassador Hillman served as a key advisor to three Canadian Prime Ministers, both Conservative and Liberal.  As Canada’s Chief Negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (2011-2015), Ambassador Hillman helped shape historic rules for open and predictable trade in the Indo-Pacific. She then served as Canada's Chief Trade Negotiator (2015-2017), leading the branch of the Government of Canada responsible for all trade policy and trade negotiations, including discussions with India, China, the EU and the U.K. In late 2017 she was appointed to serve as Canada's Deputy Ambassador in Washington in order to take up a central role in the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) including working with the U.S. Administration, Congress and the Business Community to ensure the successful conclusion and ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020. 

Earlier in her career, Ambassador Hillman served as Canada's Senior Legal Advisor to the World Trade Organization (2007-2011) in Geneva and as Chief Legal Counsel in the negotiation of several international environmental agreements. Ambassador Hillman currently serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

Ambassador Hillman’s leadership and influence have been widely recognized in both Canada and the United States. She is firmly established as one of the foremost experts on American First trade policies for Canadian audiences.  

In 2022 she was named to Maclean’s Power List of 50 Canadians forging paths, leading debate, and shaping how we think and live, and was recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of Washington’s Most Powerful Women three consecutive times. She has been honoured with numerous leadership awards in the United States and Canada. Among others, in 2025, she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her outstanding public policy contributions.

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