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CBC/Ottawa Citizen: Phyllis Yaffe appointed consul general in New York; Matthew Levin ambassador to Spain

July 20, 2016 — 

As CBC reports, University of Manitoba alumna Phyllis Yaffe [BA/69, LLD/13] has been appointed consul general in New York.

Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion announced Tuesday the appointment of more than two dozen new ambassadors as part of the government’s latest effort to reshape the diplomatic ranks.

“These appointments reflect the government of Canada’s commitment to ensure its diplomatic leaders represent a wide diversity of Canadians and include a greater gender representation,” Dion said in a statement.

Thirteen of the 26 ambassadors appointed in this round are women.

In 2015, Yaffe was inducted into the Order of Canada and recognized for her leadership in Canada’s cultural industry, and her community service, notably as founding chair of Women Against Multiple Sclerosis.

As the Ottawa Citizen reports:

Matthew Levin (BA/75) has been named ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain. He was most recently director general of Global Affairs Canada’s Europe-Eurasia Bureau. Prior to that he was director of operations at the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat of the Privy Council Office, and served as ambassador to Colombia, from 2005 to 2008, and to Cuba, from 2010 to 2013. After joining the Department of External Affairs in 1986, Mr. Levin served abroad in Washington as economic counsellor and in Moscow as deputy head of mission. At Headquarters, Mr. Levin’s assignments also included two years as chief of staff to two deputy ministers.

 

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