Experience

Canadian Audit & Accountability Foundation-Fondation canadienne pour l'audit & la responsabilisation

• Canada
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice-President, Oversight

  • Oct 2021 - Present

• Director, Oversight

  • Jul 2015 - Oct 2021

  Manage and deliver capacity building activities and initiatives to support Public Accounts Committees and other oversight bodies in Canada and abroad.



Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption

• Qatar
• International Affairs
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Director

  • Aug 2011 - Sep 2015

  GOPAC is an international network of parliamentarians dedicated to good governance and combating corruption. In this role I am responsible for building awareness on issues of corruption and working with a team of international elected officials to develop tools, including draft laws, policy papers and research, to build the capacity of parliamentarians to fight corruption. Issue areas include parliamentary oversight, ethics, UNCAC, anti-money laundering and resource revenue transparency.



Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada

• Canada
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Learning Advisor

  • Oct 2014 - Jun 2015



Magerigo Consulting

• Ottawa, Canada

• Political Risk Analyst

  • Jun 2011 - Jan 2012

  Magerigo provides timely and accurate political intelligence and assessments tailored to the needs of decision-makers investing in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. A sample BRICSAM report that focuses on political and economic risks in BRICSAM countries can be found here: https://www.box.com/s/09rliud3gyxmgqpwnyho A sample of Magerigo's emerging risks monitor that includes short analytical pieces related to emerging markets, commodities, and capital markets can be found here: https://www.box.com/s/zcvub8y0qv8x86uyb5dt



FOCAL Canadian Foundation for the Americas

• Political Analyst/Project Manager

  • Aug 2009 - Aug 2011

  Policy oriented think tank providing key stakeholders with solutions-oriented research on social, political and economic issues. Lesley was recognized as an expert on security, governance, democracy and civil society within Latin America and the Caribbean and their relationship with foreign policy. Official liaison to a number of key partners including government, non-government and private sector. Reporting to the executive director, developed, managed and implemented project budgets, timelines, and resources, lead research projects and commissioned publications, exceeding deliverables and staying within budget. Provides consultation to governments, diplomats and international organizations on political events and policy issues, including the relationship between Latin America and the Middle East. Enlisted by senior public officials to author a comprehensive report on Canada's role in the Western Hemisphere. Frequent spokesperson and organization representative at various foreign policy related events throughout Canada, US and Latin America and with national media organizations. Selected as expert witness in a Parliamentary Sub-committee on International Human Rights.



Freedom House

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Political Analyst

  • Mar 2010 - Mar 2011

  Freedom House is an international organization recognized as a leading source of information and analysis on freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Provided consultation and insight across several Latin American and Caribbean countries for the Freedom in the World 2011 report. Applied assessment methodology to evaluate civil liberties and political rights in the Western Hemisphere. Assessed both qualitative and quantitative indicators and provided recommendations for improvements to comparative methodologies. Selected as Latin American political expert to participate in the Freedom in the World 2011 assessment and review meeting. Evaluated local political, social and economic variables and potential impacts on domestic systems.



Élections Canada | Elections Canada

• Canada
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Deputy Returning Officer

  • 2000 - 2011

  Organization of American States, International Observation Mission, Ecuador 2011. Independent International Observer, Mexico 2000, Brazil, 2005, Venezuela 2005, 2006, 2007. Presiding Electoral Officer, West Vancouver Elections (November 2008) Deputy Returning Officer, Elections Canada (October 2008) Poll Captain, Canada Organization of American States, International Observation Mission, Ecuador 2011. Independent International Observer, Mexico 2000, Brazil, 2005, Venezuela 2005, 2006, 2007. Presiding Electoral Officer, West Vancouver Elections (November 2008) Deputy Returning Officer, Elections Canada (October 2008) Poll Captain, Canada



Langara College

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Instructor- Introduction to International Relations

  • Dec 2008 - Apr 2009

  As an instructor, I developed practical tools and resources for students to understand key concepts in international relations. Designed / implemented international relations course on contemporary theories and current political policies and events. As an instructor, I developed practical tools and resources for students to understand key concepts in international relations. Designed / implemented international relations course on contemporary theories and current political policies and events.



The University of British Columbia

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant

  • Jan 2002 - Jan 2009

  Provided active coaching and mentoring to students on key policy issues and current political events. Conducted primary research and investigations to support academic publications. Presented at major academic conferences in the Political Science and International Relations disciplines. Analysed political events using qualitative and quantitative methods. Provided active coaching and mentoring to students on key policy issues and current political events. Conducted primary research and investigations to support academic publications. Presented at major academic conferences in the Political Science and International Relations disciplines. Analysed political events using qualitative and quantitative methods.



Open Society Foundations

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Political Analyst

  • Mar 2007 - Oct 2007

  Global foundation focused on shaping public policies for greater fairness in political, legal, and economic systems and safeguarding fundamental rights for marginalized societies. Conducted research, analysis and general consultation on risks associate with foreign investment, current events and economic investment projects during a period of Venezuela. Provided guidance and expertise to internal resources while liaising with government officials, private sector representatives and community activists. Completed bi-monthly written assessments on the political situation of the country. Maintained an ongoing analysis of major public opinion polls and potential political and economic implications.



Government of Canada

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Academic and Public Relations Officer

  • Dec 2006 - Aug 2007

  The Canadian Embassy in Caracas is dedicated to strengthening economic, academic and cultural ties with Venezuela through ongoing dialogue and collaboration. Promoted the Canadian post secondary education system and liaised with public, government and private sectors to advance Canada's trade and academic relations during a time of political volatility including nationalizations in the mining and oil sectors. Developed a clear understanding of the issues faced by Canadian companies associated with expropriate, convertibility, transfer of currency and corporate social responsibility (CSR) especially in the extraction industry. Founded the Canadian Studies Centre in Caracas to promote Canada and its academic opportunities. Initiated the first-ever project on Democratic Governance to share information on how Canada balances private sector regulation with governmental transparency. Liaison to Canadian and Venezuelan private sector, regional academic administrators and key academics and represented the Government of Canada at diplomatic events and conferences. Increased Venezuelan applications to Canadian institutions by 30% year over year.



University of Guelph

• MA student

  • 2000 - 2002



Hewlett Packard Enterprise

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sales Support, Administration and Marketing

  • Jan 1996 - Jan 1999

  HP is the world's largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. Progressive positions over 5 years including sales support, credit and collection and marketing. Designed and disseminated sales promotion marketing materials. Forecasted and implemented the Y2K compliance compatibility information campaign. Created and maintained support services marketing web-