Ann Fitz-Gerald is a Professor of International Security and the Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Canada. Prior to this appointment in 2019, she was the Director, Defence and Security Leadership, Cranfield University where she held a Chair in Security Sector Management. She completed degrees in Commerce (BComm), Political Science (B.A), War Studies (M.A) and a PhD. Following an initial career in the financial sector, she worked at the International Lester B Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium and at the North Atlantic Parliamentary Assembly. During her time at both NATO and the Parliamentary Assembly, she focused on the accession strategies of Central and East European countries. She moved to the UK and completed her PhD in 2001. In 2006, she designed and developed the Masters programme in Security Sector Management, which is delivered in both in the UK and East Africa.</p>
<p>Ann has advised, and has been seconded to work with, Governments of a number of transitional countries on issues relating to national security policy/strategy issues (including Nigeria, Ukraine, Poland, Lebanon, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Nepal, Botswana, Sierra Leone, Trinidad and Tobago, Albania, Montenegro and The Gambia). In 2011, Ann supported the AU High Implementation Panel during the post-referendum peace talks between North and South Sudan (security issues).</p>
<p>In November 2012, the Government of Canada awarded Ann with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to post-conflict resolution and dialogue. Since 2013, she has served as a Senior Security and Justice Adviser to the UK Government and is a member of the United Nation's Rule of Law and Security Institutions' expert roster.