Born in Winnipeg in 1950, Jon Allen (LL.B., University of Western Ontario, 1976; LL.M., International Law, University of London School of Economics, 1977) joined the then Department of External Affairs in 1981.
In addition to postings abroad in Mexico City (1983-85), New Delhi (1989-92) and Washington (1997-2001), Mr. Allen spent his early career in the Legal Bureau of the Department representing Canada in disputes under the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and working in the areas of human rights, humanitarian and environmental law.
Mr. Allen also held the positions of Director General, North America Bureau (2001-2004) and Minister (Political Affairs) at the Canadian Embassy in Washington (2004-2006). As Assistant Deputy Minister, Americas (2010-2012), he managed Canada’s relations with North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.
From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Allen was Canada’s Ambassador to Israel. From 2012 to 2016 he was Ambassador to Spain and Andorra. From December 2012 to July 2014, he was Chargé d’affaires a.i. to the Holy See.
He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Munk School and at Glendon College, York University, and a Distinguished Fellow of the Canada International Council. He is the Chair of Project Rozana, a not for profit whose objective is to build bridges between Palestinians and Israelis via the health sector, and a Member of the Board of Transparency International Canada.
He is married to Clara Hirsch. They have two sons, Jake and AJ.
Walter Ruby is a veteran journalist and activist in Muslim-Jewish relations who has organized hundreds of ‘twinning’ events bringing together thousands of Jews and Muslims in over 30 countries around the world. Ruby presently serves as president of Jews and Muslims and Allies Acting Together (JAMAAT), a grass roots interfaith group in Greater Washington. Ruby is the co-author with Muslim-American writer Sabeeha Rehman of We Refuse To Be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews Can Make Peace, One Friendship At A Time published in 2021 by Arcade Publishers. He also serves as chair of the International Service Committee of Rotary eClub 7610 in northern Virginia.