Elissar Sarrouh is Founder and CEO of Expert Consulting on Governance Inc, and has been a Professor of Practice at the Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID) at McGill University since September 2015. Prior to that, Elissar enjoyed a thriving and successful career as a United Nations Diplomat and senior international development professional, in Canada, the USA, Belgium, MENA and the Arab Gulf states. Elissar’s UN diplomatic career included representation and leadership in a number of countries including Egypt, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining the United Nations Development Programme in 2002, Elissar worked at the Parliamentary Center in Ottawa as Director for Middle East Programs, and a senior international development consultant with CIDA and a number of Canadian and International organizations. Elissar serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of International Development Professionals (CAIDP) and co-chairs CAIDP conference on Gender Equality, Inclusive Governance and the Law: An Alignment for a Better World, that will be held in Ottawa in January 2018. Elissar serves on the Executive Board of the Women Business Network in Ottawa as Vice-President for Programs. In the past, Elissar served on the Board of Directors of the Parliamentary Center among other Canadian and International Organizations.