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Mairead Lavery headshot, EDC
Mairead Lavery Former President and Chief Executive Officer Export Development Canada Mairead Lavery

Since joining Export Development Canada in 2014, Mairead Lavery has put values and ethics at the center of her leadership approach. Appointed President and CEO on February 5, 2019, Mairead set out three pillars for her leadership: Champion for Trade; Environmental, Social and Governance Responsibility; and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity. These values are the centerpiece of her – and EDC’s – business agenda.

Under her direction, Canada’s export credit agency has pursued ambitious objectives, achieving strong growth, and helping more Canadian companies do business in 200 markets around the world, while generating over $100 billion in trade and investment annually.

In 2020, EDC became a major contributor to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 economic response, helping deliver billions of dollars in liquidity to companies across Canada. EDC also stands as the single largest financier of Canadian cleantech, a proud supporter of women-owned and women-led businesses, and regularly ranks among Canada’s Top 100 Employers.

Mairead is the Board Chair for the EDC subsidiary, FinDev Canada, Canada’s international development finance institution, and a Board member of Ontario Global 100, creating opportunities for business leaders of Ontario mid-sized companies to accelerate growth. She also sits on the advisory boards of Toronto Global Forum and Project Arrow, which is creating Canada’s original full-build, zero-emissions concept vehicle. Prior to joining EDC, Mairead held executive roles at Bombardier, where she managed a range of large complex portfolios over a sixteen-year career.

She is a native of Northern Ireland, has a degree in Management and Accounting from Queen’s University Belfast, and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. She is also the first woman to occupy EDC’s chief executive role in its 75-plus year history.

In 2015, Mairead experienced another very proud milestone: becoming a Canadian citizen. 

Mairead Lavery was President and Chief Executive Officer until February 2025.

Posts by Mairead

  • Blog
    March 04, 2021
    Women holding pen in warehouse while smiling.

    International Women’s Day – now as much as ever

    On International Women’s Day, EDC reaffirms its commitment to helping women overcome barriers.

  • Blog
    February 16, 2021
    Woman in greenhouse with tablet

    Feeding a world hungry for Canada

    EDC and FCC are committed to working together to support the agriculture and agri-food sector.

  • Blog
    December 02, 2020
    Team working together

    Choosing to Act - EDC’s response to the “original pandemic”

    EDC is committed to fostering a welcoming and diverse workforce in every area of business.

  • Blog
    October 26, 2020
    Virtual Conference Call

    Listening Our Way Through a Pandemic Crisis

    EDC’s COVID-19 relief has included providing liquidity, credit insurance and loans through CEBA.

  • Blog
    July 27, 2020
    Big changes ahead

    How COVID-19 changed everything – including change

    COVID-19 evolved how entrepreneurs and executives think of change

  • Blog
    March 16, 2020
    A woman considers her business options.

    EDC supports Canadian exporters during COVID-19

    EDC is here to help Canadian exporters navigate the impact of the coronavirus on their business.

  • Blog
    November 21, 2019
    Fireworks

    Seventy-five years…and still counting

    EDC President and CEO Mairead Lavery looks ahead to the next 75 years.

  • Blog
    May 07, 2019
    EDC Human Rights Policy

    Leading with values

    EDC released its first ever stand-alone Human Rights Policy.

  • Blog
    August 03, 2018
    challenges-for-women-exporters

    5 challenges for women exporters and how to overcome them

    Between 13-16% of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses are women owned, but only 7% export products or services. A Twitter chat reveals how more women can benefit from international sales.

  • Blog
    April 11, 2018
    successful change management tips for a growing organization

    3 tips for successful change management in a growing organization

    EDC’s Mairead Lavery shares 3 tips for change management success.

  • Blog
    January 29, 2018
    Helping canadian exporters

    Helping Canadian customers and supporting the trade agenda

    Considers for the environment and women- and indigenous-owned businesses are all key focuses at EDC.

Date modified: 2023-03-14

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