EDMONTON — The University of Alberta today announced the appointment of Gitane De Silva as the inaugural executive director of the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy.
A distinguished public policy leader with executive experience at the provincial, national and international levels, De Silva brings the depth of vision and practice needed to shape this bold new school from the ground up.
“We are thrilled to welcome Gitane as the inaugural leader of the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy,” said Dr. Chris Andersen, vice-provost and dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. “Her extraordinary career spanning diplomacy, intergovernmental relations, energy regulation and Canada-U.S. affairs makes her distinctly qualified to build a school that strengthens democratic resilience for students, policy makers and communities across Canada and beyond.”
The Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy was officially launched in October 2025. The school’s mission is to cultivate a new generation of leaders by equipping students, policy makers and the public with the skills to bridge divides, champion pluralism and navigate complex political landscapes with integrity. It offers undergraduate and graduate certificates and extends its reach beyond campus to advance democratic literacy for the public good.
As executive director, De Silva will be responsible for setting the school’s vision, establishing its public profile and providing the leadership needed to bring it to prominence as a leading centre for dialogue, research and civic engagement.
De Silva is the founder and president of GDStrategic, a public policy consulting firm. She previously served as chief executive officer of the Canada Energy Regulator (2020–2023), where she oversaw the safe and efficient delivery of energy to Canada and the world while protecting the environment and advancing Reconciliation.
As Alberta's deputy minister for international and intergovernmental relations, she directly served four premiers and championed Alberta’s interests on the domestic and world stage.
A seasoned diplomat and specialist in Canada-U.S. relations, De Silva served as Alberta’s senior representative in Washington, D.C., during the first Trump administration and as Canada’s consul general in Chicago. She played a role in the negotiations of several landmark trade and environmental agreements, including the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, the Canada Free Trade Agreement and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
“Gitane has spent her career at the highest levels of public service — shaping policy, building consensus and defending Canadian interests at home and abroad. That is exactly the kind of experience and credibility the school needs as it builds and grows,” said Bill Flanagan, U of A president and vice-chancellor. “With Gitane at the helm, I am confident it will become a vital resource for democratic life in Alberta and across Canada.”
De Silva currently serves as a special adviser at Blue Rock Law, and a board member with the Public Policy Forum and NB Power.
“I am deeply honoured to serve as the inaugural executive director of the Peter Lougheed School of Politics and Democracy,” said De Silva. “I look forward to building a school that lives up to Peter Lougheed’s legacy — one that prepares Canadians to engage in our democracy with confidence, curiosity and purpose.”
