In this episode, we spotlight private sector intelligence, a vital but often overlooked area of expertise. Joining us is Dr. Maria Robson-Morrow, a distinguished professional and researcher with years of experience in the industry. She introduces us to private sector intelligence, where legal and ethical intelligence techniques are used to protect companies' people, operations, and assets in a globalized and often volatile world.

Dr. Maria Robson-Morrow takes us into the heart of her work with a compelling case study from the 2015 Nigerian elections, where intelligence strategies helped a Canadian energy company navigate security risks in a tense geopolitical environment. Along the episode, we’ll cover how private sector intelligence differs from related fields like corporate security and political risk analysis and how companies structure their intelligence teams to mitigate threats and facilitate decision-making.

This episode also explores the broader landscape of the private sector intelligence industry, examining how businesses and consultancies provide these critical services. Whether you're a Canadian business owner seeking to hire an intelligence firm or a student interested in breaking into the field, our guest offers practical insights into ethical practices, required skills, and career pathways.

If you’ve ever wondered how intelligence operates outside of government agencies or how global companies stay one step ahead of emerging risks, this conversation is for you.

Join us for a conversation with CEO of the Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) Christina Caouette. Christina Caouette is a public policy and foreign affairs analyst with the Government of Canada. Currently, she works as a Senior Policy Analyst at Natural Resources Canada, where she forwards Canada’s energy security and net zero commitments as part of the Natural Gas & Hydrogen Division. Her federal government experience working for international affairs teams at Global Affairs Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have enabled her to contribute to Canada's bilateral relations with countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Christina is the proud recipient of the 2021 Government of Canada Volunteer Award in the Emerging Leader Category in the Prairies Region for her volunteer work in youth advocacy. Through her role at YDC, she has represented Canadian youth at multiple international forums, most recently engaging on sustainable development platforms in India and Morocco. Christina has gained on-the-ground experience in diplomacy as a public affairs trainee with the Delegation of the European Union to Canada and the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa. Christina holds an M.A. in European, Russian and Eurasian Studies from Carleton University and a B.A. (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Alberta.

Welcome everyone to the Canadian International Council’s Podcast, Plan C! Our first episode is finally here! Join us in our conversation with John Stackhouse, about how we, as youth, can impact Canadian politics. Enjoy!