Sonya Thissen

Sonya Thissen (BA [Business Administration], University of Western Ontario, 1992; BA Honours [Political Science], University of Western Ontario, 1993; MA [International Affairs], Carleton University, 2000) joined Global Affairs Canada in 1995 from Industry Canada.

During her time at Global Affairs Canada (the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development), she has worked in cultural diplomacy, creative industries, investment promotion, science and technology partnerships, natural resource sectors, mission support and pan geographic coordination. She was the executive director of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards, a foundation dedicated to recognising lifetime artistic achievement and celebrating excellence in the arts in Canada.

She returned to the department and was the Deputy Chief of Protocol of Canada responsible for high-level visits including those related to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and the 2010 G8/20 Summits. She has been posted to France as Counsellor (Political) and the United Kingdom as Minister-Counsellor (Political and Public Affairs) and served as director general, Pan Geographic Policy.

In November 2025, she was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic and in February 2026 was appointed as Canada’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Cyprus. Ambassador Thissen is married and has a daughter.