Scott Gilmore — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Awarded the G20 Prize for innovation in impact investing by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper.
Recipient of the Skoll Prize for Social Entrepreneurship in 2009.
Serves as Prime Minister's Senior Advisor on Foreign, Defence, and Security Policy at the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada (since 2025).
Founded Building Markets in 2004, a social enterprise focused on creating jobs and reducing poverty.
Former Canadian diplomat with experience in Asia and the United Nations peacekeeping mission in East Timor.
Holds an MSc in International History from the London School of Economics and a B.Comm from the University of Alberta.

Biography

Scott Gilmore is the Prime Minister's Senior Advisor on Foreign, Defence, and Security Policy at the Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, a role he has held since 2025. Prior to this, he served as President of Anchor Chain from 2012 to 2025. Gilmore began his career as a Canadian foreign service officer, serving in Jakarta and covering the civil war in East Timor. He later joined the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) peacekeeping mission.