Sandra McCardell joined External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1992. Following an assignment in Egypt (1994), she was posted to the Embassy of Canada to Israel (1994-96).

From 1998-2000, Ms. McCardell was an Advisor to the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina on the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accord and then Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon (2002-2003).

Ms. McCardell was Ambassador to Libya (2009-2011) representing Canada both before and after the Libyan revolution.

Ms. McCardell also served as Canadian Ambassador to Morocco and Mauritania (2012-2015) and as the High Commissioner to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Mauritius and Ambassador to Madagascar (2015-2019.)

In Ottawa, Ms. McCardell has been Deputy Director of the East Adriatic Division, Director of the Executive Assignments Unit and Director of the Partnership Division of the Invest in Canada Bureau. She was Director General of the Middle East Bureau before being selected as Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for Europe, Arctic, Middle East and Maghreb.