"Why do we Trade? The future of US leadership in the global economy"

As Executive Director of Future Borders Coalition, Laura Dawson works with a binational coalition of government and industry leaders in order to build better borders for travel and trade. In recognition of this work, she was listed as one of Canada’s Top 50 Foreign Policy Influencers of 2024 by the Hill Times in recognition of her work to advance Canada-U.S. economic relations.

The Future Borders Coalition (FBC) is dedicated to building a better Canada-U.S. border for travel and trade. A bi-national organization, FBC promotes a cohesive vision of the U.S.-Canada border based on the principles of efficiency, safety, and security. Members include travel and trade industry leaders from across all modes of transportation, as well as academic researchers and think tanks. FBC brings practical expertise and research to generate evidence-based recommendations vetted by industry leaders. This combination is a powerful tool for constructive engagement with key decision-makers on the most pressing issues affecting the border.

Prior to her appointment to FBC, Dr. Dawson led the North America office of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Institute, facilitating public sector digital transformation. Other posts include director of the Canada Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., founder of Dawson Strategic, and senior economic advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Canada. Dawson serves on the teaching faculty at the Master of Public Policy program at McGill University in Montreal and is a board member of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. In addition, Dawson was jury co-chair for the Government of Canada’s 2022 New Frontiers in Research Fund and was named 2021 Person of Distinction by the Public Affairs Association of Canada. Dr. Dawson holds a PhD in Political Science from Carleton University. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

INTRODUCTION: Jill Thornton