As a journalist, author, and politician, Chrystia Freeland has led an extraordinary life marked by resilience and determination. Born in Peace River, Alberta, Freeland grew up in a family of Ukrainian immigrants and witnessed first-hand the challenges and opportunities of starting a new life in Canada. She credits her parents with instilling in her a strong work ethic and a passion for education, which she carried with her throughout her career.
Freeland’s tenacity and intelligence earned her a scholarship to study at Harvard University, where she excelled and eventually became the editor-in-chief of the Harvard Crimson. Her career in journalism took her to top publications such as the Financial Times, The Globe and Mail, and Reuters. But it was her coverage of the collapse of the Soviet Union for the Financial Times that truly launched her into the international spotlight.
After years as a successful journalist, Freeland entered the world of politics in 2013, when she was elected as a member of parliament for the Liberal party. She quickly rose through the ranks and in 2017, she became Canada’s first female Foreign Affairs Minister. As Foreign Affairs Minister, she has been an outspoken advocate for free trade, human rights, and tackling global issues such as climate change.
Throughout her varied and accomplished career, Chrystia Freeland has shown time and time