Don Campbell is currently Senior Strategy Advisor at Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.
Prior to joining the private sector in 2000, Don had a distinguished career with Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1997 to 2000, the personal representative of the Prime Minister for G8 Summits from 1997 to 2000, Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1997, Deputy Minister of International Trade from 1989 to 1993, Assistant Deputy Minister for the United States from 1985 to 1989 and Ambassador to Korea from 1984 to 1985. Earlier postings included the USA, UK, Kenya and Jamaica.
Don entered the private sector as Group President, CAE Inc. from 2000 to 2007. His responsibilities included being in charge of world-wide defence contracts and P3 deals and management of CAE’s operations in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia.
Don has a deep and continuing involvement with issues of the Asia Pacific region. Don was the International Co-chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council advising APEC governments (2012-2021) and continues as a member of The Canadian National Committee. He has served on the Council of the Japan-led Science and Technology in Society Forum held annually in Kyoto. He was appointed by the Prime Minister as the Canadian chair of the Canada-Japan Forum, an advisory group entrusted by the governments of Japan and Canada to promote the bilateral relationship between the two countries. He serves on the Boards of the Japan Society and the Canada-Japan Society of BC. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the Asia Pacific Foundation.
Don has extensive experience in negotiations on Canada-USA political, trade and economic issues. As Deputy Minister of International Trade, he supervised the negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement that came into effect in 1994. He has been a chief negotiator for softwood lumber disputes and maintains an ongoing interest in trans-border issues and opportunities.
Don has a wealth of experience with both public policy and private sector Boards. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Toyota Canada Inc., Jack Austin Centre Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University, the Nikkei Place Foundation and Chair of VIDA Therapeutics Inc.
Don was previously on the Boards of Canfor Pulp, Davie Shipyards, Aerospace Industry Association of Canada, Export Development Corporation, the National Film Board and Perimeter Institute. He has been an advisor to the Board of the Canadian National Railway and has been on the advisory Boards of Rotman Business School, University of Toronto, Asia Society, New York, Norman Patterson School, Carleton University, Schulich School of Business and the Council of Advisors, Asia Society, New York.
Don has been invested in The Order of Canada, C.M., 2025, awarded Japan Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Stars, 2015. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada from the Governor General and the Prime Minister, 2000.
He has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from the University of Ottawa, Laurier University and Carleton University.
He is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
He is included in Business in Vancouver BC’s top 500 Influential Business Leaders ranging 2021, 2022, 2025 and 2026.