Getting Insights from Data to Improve Government Services

Kara Beckles is the Executive Director within the Privacy and Responsible Data Division at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS). As an active and experienced data leader in the Government of Canada, Kara has held various executive positions across the public service, including Chief Data Officer and Director General of Data and Information Services at the Privy Council Office (PCO), Director General of Data Integration in PCO’s Result and Delivery Unit, and Chief Economist at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. She has also held various strategic, policy and analytical roles at Finance Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat, Statistics Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and PCO. Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business from the University of Winnipeg and a Master of Arts in economics from Dalhousie University.

Nancy Porteous is Vice President of the Oversight and Investigations Sector at the Public Service Commission of Canada. Nancy previously held various executive positions at the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada. Prior to joining the federal government over 20 years ago, Nancy worked for an applied social research consulting firm and in a number of different roles for the City of Ottawa. Nancy is a Credentialed Evaluator and a Fellow of the Canadian Evaluation Society. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from McGill University and a Master of Science in Social Research Methods from the University of Surrey (England), where she studied as a Commonwealth Scholar.

Nadia Ahmad is Director General, Knowledge and Evaluation at Global Affairs Canada. As Head of Evaluation, she leads the department’s use of evidence to strengthen policy and program effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance. She also oversees the Open Insights Hub, which connects the department with external expertise and delivers strategic analysis to inform a deeper understanding of the evolving global context. A former Chief Data Officer, Nadia brings an evidence‑informed approach to analysis and advice. With broad experience in international relations, she has worked across complex global environments and is known for fostering critical reflection and innovation. She is committed to inclusive leadership, including in her role as departmental Champion for Racialized Employees. Nadia holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University and a Master of Laws from the University of Ottawa.

Siobhan was a senior civil servant in the UK with more than 15 years’ Whitehall experience. She worked in many of major delivery departments, including Transport, Environment, Health and Local Government. She also had senior roles at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, including supporting the then Cabinet Secretary, Lord O’Donnell, to lead work on civil service reform and strategy. Siobhan left to run as an independent candidate in the Mayor of London election. She subsequently joined her alma mater, Warwick University, as Chief Strategy Officer of Warwick in London and Co-Director of the Warwick Policy Lab.