Darlene is the Executive Director of the Christian Embassy of Canada, a position she has fulfilled since May 2012. Previously, she served for 6 years as the Deputy Director.
In May 2006 Darlene joined the Christian Embassy in Ottawa. The Christian Embassy seeks to inspire political, diplomatic and business leaders with the person and values of Jesus, while connecting them with other leaders. We desire to help resource leaders and encourage them as they advance their mandates. Worldwide, the Christian Embassy of Canada is a part of a global network of more than fifteen Christian Embassies on four continents. Over the years she has had the privilege of leading and participating in ambassador business tours to different regions of Canada and multiple international delegations to Africa, Asia and Europe.
In December 2012 Darlene was awarded with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work with Christian Embassy for the benefit of diplomats and government leaders.
She earned a Bachelor degree with Honours in French Literature and a Bachelor degree of Education at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Her third year of studies was completed on exchange at Université Laval in Québec. In addition to her degrees, she later pursued a Masters in Theological Studies from Tyndale University and Seminary in Toronto. Since then she has pursued several international programs in leadership, including Arrow Leadership and The Master’s Program.
Subsequent to her university education, Darlene taught and initiated French Immersion programs for Grades 4 through 8 in schools across Ontario and New Brunswick in Canada. For eight years she worked with university students to develop their leadership skills at both the University of British Columbia and at Université de Sherbrooke in Québec. During those years she led student projects to Peru, Senegal and Guadeloupe.
She lived and travelled in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Central and South America. She also taught French at an international school in Manila, Philippines.
She and her husband, Dr. Harold Albrecht, former Member of Parliament, reside in Ottawa and Kitchener, Ontario and have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.