Laura Dawson New Director of Wilson Center’s Canada Institute

Washington, D.C. — The Wilson Center announced today the appointment of Laura Dawson as Director for the Center’s Canada Institute. Her appointment is effective immediately.

“Laura brings extensive expertise working with the U.S. and Canadian governments and private sectors on critical issues like trade and our shared border,” said Jane Harman, Director, President and CEO of the Wilson Center. “We are extremely grateful to David Biette for establishing the Canada Institute as the preeminent place for U.S.-Canada dialogue and research, and are excited to have Laura take it to the next level.”

The Canada Institute is Washington’s only institute for policy research and programming on the bilateral U.S.-Canada relationship. Dawson succeeds David Biette, who was recently appointed Director of the Wilson Center’s new Polar Initiative.

"Leadership of the Canada Institute is more than just a job for me, it is an opportunity to help grow the relationship between the United States and Canada as friends, allies, and economic partners," said Dawson.

Before joining the Wilson Center Laura Dawson served as senior advisor on economic affairs at the United States Embassy in Ottawa and taught international trade and Canada-U.S. relations at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. Dawson is the founder of Dawson Strategic, which provides advice to business and government on cross-border trade, market access and regulatory issues. From 1997 to 2009, Dawson provided research and advice on WTO issues to developing and emerging economies in Central America, China, and the former Soviet Union through Canada’s Centre for Trade Policy and Law.

In 2013, Dawson was awarded a Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for her contribution to Canada-U.S. relations and in 2011 she received a Superior Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State for her efforts on financial inclusion in the Americas.

Notes to editors:

1. The Wilson Center provides a strictly nonpartisan space for the worlds of policymaking and scholarship to interact. By conducting relevant and timely research and promoting dialogue from all perspectives, it works to address the critical current and emerging challenges confronting the United States and the world.

2. The Wilson Center’s Canada Institute was founded in 2001 to increase awareness and knowledge about Canada and Canada-U.S. relations among U.S. policymakers and opinion leaders.