Elizabeth Donkervoort has over a decade of experience in democracy and human rights programming, specializing in countering digital authoritarianism, transnational repression, and foreign malign influence. She designs innovative strategies to expand program portfolios in complex environments while contributing to policy discussions on national security law, doxxing legislation, digital privacy, and safeguarding information ecosystems.
Committed to strengthening Canada’s leadership in global policy, Elizabeth actively collaborates with Canadian Foreign Service Officers, Embassies, and Consulates to advance rule of law and good governance initiatives. She has a proven track record of launching and implementing impactful programs that address critical policy challenges. While serving at the Consulate General of Canada to China in Shanghai, she tripled attendance at the Canadian University Reception for New Students and enhanced Canada’s reputation through outreach campaigns showcasing national heroes such as Terry Fox. At the American Bar Association’s Center for Global Programs, Elizabeth led the East Asia portfolio, advancing initiatives that promoted the rule of law, access to justice, and judicial independence. Under her leadership, the portfolio tripled in size and produced globally adopted resources, including the Judicial Independence Monitor Toolkit, now used by academics and judiciaries worldwide. She also spearheaded efforts to combat foreign malign influence and address legal loopholes undermining judicial integrity.
As the architect of the Defending Digital Privacy (DDP) program, Elizabeth trained nearly 1,200 legal professionals and privacy regulators within the first month. The program’s success in Southeast Asia led to rapid expansion across East Asia and Africa, with its curriculum becoming mandatory for staff at select human rights commissions. Elizabeth has also managed successful civic engagement programs in restrictive environments such as China and Laos at the International Republican Institute (IRI), where she contributed to an extensive training resource library. At Freedom House, she helped administer emergency grants for human rights defenders and led global freedom of association campaigns.Elizabeth holds a JD and a Master of Asia Pacific Policy Studies from the University of British Columbia and an Honours BA from the University of Toronto. She is admitted to practice law in Alberta, Canada and New York, United States.
