Lauren Shykora

Alumni background

Lauren is serving as a Consular Bureau Officer at Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region.

Before joining the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, she was a Consular Case Management Officer in the Strategic Consular Operations division of Global Affairs Canada. In this role, she managed complex consular cases and supported senior-level engagements with foreign officials and diplomatic missions to advance Canada’s foreign policy priorities.

Earlier in her career, Lauren worked as a research assistant at the University of British Columbia and as a Trade Policy Analyst in various Canadian government departments. She also contributed to non-profits, including the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and the International Trade Division at the British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Trade and Technology.

Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and earned her Master in International Affairs from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2024 through the Hinrich Global Trade Leader Scholarship.

Personal statement

While issues like climate change and economic inequality are at the forefront of priorities today, there are many barriers to achieving consensus and commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability in global trade. Building trust and finding avenues for collaboration in international relations is therefore crucial in advancing sustainable trade. In the field of international affairs, I seek to advance socially sustainable policies to extend the benefits of trade more evenly, and have a strong interest in gender-based inequities in this respect.

By pursuing a Master of International Affairs at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, I aim to further my understanding of international trade economics and sustainable trade solutions while studying alongside a diverse cohort of innovative thinkers. I will draw on my professional experience in Canadian trade policy and diplomacy to contribute meaningfully in the classroom, and in turn, hope to broaden my perspective on how best to approach issues in international affairs and global trade.

I am honoured to be receiving the Global Trade Leader scholarship and joining the Hinrich Foundation’s extensive network. I am keen to explore the ways in which the MIA program and the community of Hinrich scholars and alumni can provide new insights and aid me in my pursuits of developing sustainable trade outcomes.

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