Alumni Q&A – Jessica Strauss ’09

Jessica Strauss is an expert in behavioral economics, trade policy, and economic and climate change resilience. She is Deputy Director, Forced Labour, Trade Strategy Bureau, Global Affairs Canada. In this capacity she leads interdepartmental teams to address the harmful effects of forced labour. Previously, she held leadership roles across the financial services sector including her tenure as principal economist at Bank of Canada. She has represented Canada at a wide range of international conferences including at the United Nations (Framework Convention on Climate Change and Cyber Experts Group), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the World Forum for Catastrophe Programs. Strauss is a director-at-large on the Yale SOM Alumni Advisory Board and was a Switzer Foundation Award recipient during her tenure at SOM. Strauss has served as treasurer for both the Ingenium Foundation for Canada’s public museums and for a family services agency. She also holds an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a master’s in finance from New York University. Strauss and her family live in Ottawa, Canada.

Q1: What’s a global trend you are following where you see an opportunity to drive progress?

The global trend of forced labor is a stark reminder of the human rights challenges we face today. Millions in all regions of the world remain trapped in exploitative conditions, from agriculture to manufacturing. However, there’s a growing consensus that forced labor is utterly unacceptable, with nations and organizations collaborating to address this important issue. This collective agreement is a powerful foundation for meaningful change.

The tension between free trade and labor lies in the conflict between economic efficiency and workers' rights. Free trade advocates argue that reducing barriers fosters global growth, competition, and lower costs, enabling industries to relocate to regions with cheaper labor. This can drive economic development and improve living standards, particularly in emerging economies.

However, the downside is that free trade often can sometimes lead companies to outsource to countries with lower labor standards, where workers are paid less and work in poorer conditions. While businesses benefit from lower production costs, often transferred to purchasers of goods, this can sometimes result in exploitation and inequality for those making the goods. Additionally, workers in higher-cost countries may face job losses as industries relocate, exacerbating economic displacement.

Q2: What’s an example of how SOM’s mission informed your professional path?

Yale SOM’s mission, to educate leaders for business and society, has helped me to reconcile the seemingly disparate goals of economic efficiency and workers’ rights. The challenge is balancing the economic benefits of free trade with fair wages, safe working conditions, and social protections. Free trade can drive growth, but it cannot not come at the expense of labour rights. Protecting workers is essential for sustainable, equitable global trade. This is a message that, as governments take further action and coordinate through trade agreements, companies will internalize in their cultures and operations.

In recalling Dr. Fiona Scott Morton’s diagram from her Competitor course, the tension in these relationships is all the more evident. From firms who employ labourers and through to the entire supply chain of intermediaries right to purchasers, there are many forces that act on this chain: underlying legislation and regulations form a basic trading structure giving way to trade agreements between nations. These agreements are heavily informed by multilateral fora and international oversight bodies, which also rely on inputs from non-governmental organizations and academic researchers actively contributing to this field. The spirit of SOM’s mission is at the core of these interconnections.

Q3: What’s an SOM experience that helped shape the way you understand business and society?

My time with Professor Tony Sheldon during the Global Social Enterprise course provided me with invaluable insights into the intersection of business and society. Working alongside a talented team, I had the opportunity to travel to India, where we supported Seva Mandir in overseeing the financial management of resources for over 500 villages in Rajasthan. This hands-on experience allowed me to observe the creation of supply chains from the ground up, tracing the journey of an item from product development and transportation to its final sale, along with the reverse flow of revenue or remuneration. I gained a deep understanding of how every part of a supply chain is interdependent, and how the system can be vulnerable when this reliance is undermined by bad actors. This experience sharpened my awareness of the complexities and challenges that arise when supply chains break down or are exploited. It also enabled me to appreciate how important trust, transparency, and traceability are when developing and sustaining international supply chains.

Q4: What’s a favorite SOM class, faculty member, or community member?

I’ve learned a great deal from Dr. Daylian Cain, both during my time on campus and beyond. His work on negotiations, decision-making, and behavioral business ethics has significantly shaped my understanding of human behavior in business, particularly in the context of forced labor and supply chains. Daylian’s insights into the perverse effects of disclosing conflicts of interest have deepened my understanding of transparency in decision-making and provided valuable tools for advancing my work in public policy. His work is especially relevant as I navigate the ethical tensions between free trade and labor rights. This knowledge has enabled me to develop a more nuanced perspective on the challenges companies face in balancing profit with ethics. Daylian’s research continues to guide my approach to decision-making in complex, real-world situations.

Q5: Can you share a fun fact or favorite series, book, or trip with us?

I’m an active member of the Canadian Ski Patrol. So, the winter is always full of activity! In addition, I’m looking forward to reconvening my SOM class’s annual ski retreat.

Two podcasts from The Economist that continue to inspire are Boss Class and Scam Inc.

How to reach me: I’d love to hear from you at Jessica Strauss - Deputy Director - Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada | LinkedIn