YPIN Behind the Scenes: Foreign Consulates

Join YPIN for a night of discussion with diplomats from the Consulate General of Mexico and the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle.

Combined, Mexico and Canada represent $1.2 trillion in US trade. Over 500 million border crossings occur every year over the combined 7,479 miles of land borders. American security, economics, and culture are inextricably tied to our two closest foreign partners.

Get an insider's look at the type of work these diplomats do and the role that they play in our local community and economy. Meet those representing their countries and get answers to the questions you've always had about Seattle as a global city.

About the Speakers

Roger Meece, our moderator for the evening, served as United States ambassador to Malawi and Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as Charge d'affairs to Nigeria and to Ethiopia. Roger will bring great insight to the panel, as he also was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mr. Robert Kerr is Consul (Political, Economic and Public Affairs) at the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle, with accreditation for Washington State, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Prior to his posting to Seattle in September 2017, Rob was a Senior Policy Advisor in the North American Policy and Relations Division at Global Affairs Canada headquarters in Ottawa (2012-2017). He joined Global Affairs Canada in 2003 and has been posted to the Embassies of Canada in Peru, Mozambique and Guatemala. Rob has a Bachelor’s degree from McMaster University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Calgary. In addition to his Global Affairs experience, Rob has been a researcher in the area of innovation dynamics, an entrepreneur, and a financial consultant. He is also a sports enthusiast and an incurable reader.

Luis Mingo currently heads the Political and Economic Affairs Office at the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle. He holds a B.A. in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and Master's Degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and Fudan University, where he focused on Public Diplomacy. At the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he worked as an Advisor to the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights and later as an Advisor to the Spokesperson of the Foreign Minister.