THE 2025 OTTAWA ROSE IS AIDAN RUSSELL!

Originally from Oshawa, Ontario, and now based in Ottawa, Aidan Russell is a policy and trade professional with Indigenous Services Canada. In her role, she leads program evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven policy development. She holds a Master’s degree from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, specializing in Diplomacy and Foreign Policy, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Arts with Distinction from Queen’s University, where she majored in Politics and minored in Global Development.

Aidan was accepted into the Canadian Foreign Service and gained valuable mission experience at the Embassy of Canada to Ireland in Dublin as Locally Engaged Staff (LES)—an opportunity she loved and hopes to revisit. She holds Irish citizenship through her father, David, who was born in Lurgan, County Armagh, and whom she cites as her greatest inspiration for his selflessness and devotion to others.

Outside of work, Aidan enjoys painting, pottery, crafting, and playing sports such as soccer, tennis, volleyball, and Pilates. She’s an avid camper and traveler, and despite not being a fan of Ottawa winters, she’s created a warm and welcoming home in the city’s Golden Triangle. Aidan is committed to living a life she’s proud of and strives to leave a little sunshine wherever she goes.

2025 Ottawa Rose Selection Evening - Held at the Official Residence to the Irish Ambassador to Canada, John Concannon and his wife Mrs. Mary Concannon