Barbara Curran

Background

About Barbara Curran

I’m Barbara Curran, currently serving as Director General at Global Affairs Canada where I focus on international assistance partnerships and programming in education, gender equality, human rights, good governance, and economic growth. Over the past 25+ years in the Canadian federal public service, including 16 as an executive, I’ve had the privilege of working on programs and policies that create tangible impact, both at home and around the world. I’ve built strong partnerships, led complex initiatives, and represented Canada in bilateral and multilateral forums, all while championing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. My international work has taken me from leading bilateral programs in Southern Africa, Central America, and Cuba to serving overseas as Head of Aid at Canadian embassies in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. Domestically, I’ve led Canada’s largest statutory programs at Service Canada, advanced education programming and reconciliation initiatives at Indigenous Services Canada, and supported governance and planning at the Public Health Agency of Canada. What drives me is creating meaningful change through collaboration, inclusion, and purposeful policy. I believe that progress is possible where equity, education, and opportunity come together. If you share these values or work in related fields, let’s connect!