Susan McDade (Canada) has over thirty years of experience in international development, most of it with the United Nations. Her work has combined senior leadership in large, complex organizations with a focus on management reform, public sector capacity, and sustainable development. She brings a steady, practical approach to leadership challenges, drawing on extensive experience working with governments, multilateral partners, and international teams in demanding environments.

Susan’s career with the UN included serving as UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba and Uruguay, where she led country teams and negotiated joint programs with governments on governance, renewable energy, social policy, and disaster recovery. Later, as Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, she supported 26 UNDP country offices and oversaw a billion-dollar annual portfolio. In her final key role as the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Director of the Bureau for Management Services with UNDP New York, she was responsible for global operations, human resources, finance, and risk management across UNDP’s 17,000 staff in 134 countries.

Since 2020, Susan has been working as an independent consultant and coach. She assists UN agencies and public institutions in managing change, aligning structures with strategy, and developing leadership skills. Recent projects include redesigning UNDP offices in Malaysia, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Colombia; advising on reforms in the health and environment sectors in the Maldives and Pakistan; and supporting senior leadership development through initiatives like the Resident Coordinator Assessment Centre and programmes for senior women in the UN. She also coaches mid-career and senior professionals as they navigate transitions, take on new roles, or face organizational challenges.

Her technical expertise is in energy and sustainable development. Before advancing into senior management, Susan worked extensively on connecting energy access to poverty alleviation and climate objectives, and she was involved in the early global advocacy that helped secure a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal on energy (SDG 7).

Fluent in English and Spanish, she is comfortable working across different cultures and fields. She has a Master’s in Development Studies from the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague and a BA in Economics and International Development from the University of Guelph.