2025 Annual Report

International Relations Professional Learning Community (IR-PLC) October 2025

Message from the Co-chairs

The IR-PLC has grown into an established and trusted community for practitioners in International Relations within Canadian education. Recognized across the sector, we continue to welcome new professionals as they step into partnership development roles or expand their portfolios.

With over 500 members spanning 10 provinces and one territory, our activities, knowledge sharing, and dialogues remain centered on the needs of this diverse professional network. This work is made possible through the support of CBIE and the dedicated IR-PLC Steering Committee members who step forward year after year.

As the landscape of international education evolves, global engagement and partnerships are becoming increasingly critical to institutional strategies. Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to strengthen and shape the future of IR work through collaboration and community. The IR-PLC will continue to be a space of continued support for practitioners from coast to coast.

Purpose

The mandate of the IR-PLC is to create a space where International Relations and Partnership Officers in CBIE member institutions can share experiences with their colleagues across Canada and around the world, exchange and access information, opportunities and good practices, link into the wider international relations community and work together to champion international collaboration and advance our global engagement agendas.

Mission

The IR-PLC helps IR professionals in Canadian institutions to connect with each other and to our global community of practitioners, to engage on matters of concern and interest within our sector, and to increase our effectiveness in linking our institutions with the world.

The IR-PLC group welcomes members from all levels of the international relations field and who hold diverse responsibilities within IR from across the country. Members are encouraged to actively contribute to the group’s rich discussions.

Objectives

The IR-PLC creates a space for discussion, learning, and collaboration for International Relations Officers and others whose work focuses on supporting and promoting international collaborations.

The goal of the IR-PLC is to foster a community of practitioners, which includes:

  • Exchanging best practices across institutions;
  • Building partnerships with key stakeholders locally, nationally and internationally;
  • Promoting discussion and exchange of ideas on key issues impacting the sector;
  • Providing professional development and leadership opportunities through the Steering Committee;
  • Advancing the field of International Relations in Canada, particularly with regard to diversity, inclusion, and equity; and
  • Advocating for issues of shared concern.

Steering Committee

NatashaNatasha

Natasha Fernandez
Manager,
Global Engagement and Partnerships,
University of Guelph

EmilyEmily

Emily MacDougall
Director,
Global Partnerships,
University of British Columbia

RecepRecep

Recep Demir
Manager,
Global Partnerships,
York University

KennisKennis

Kennis Fung
International Partnership Officer,
Asia & Oceania,
University of Manitoba

KimmyKimmy

Kimmy Do
Manager,
Global Learning and Engagement,
Humber College

SherilynSherilyn

Sherilyn Acorn
International Liaison Officer and Manager of Study Abroad and International Partnerships,
University of Prince Edward Island

SaraSara

Sara Berman
Executive Director,
Global Engagement and Partnerships,
Toronto Metropolitan University

SylvieSylvie

Sylvie Jasen
International Projects Coordinator,
Carleton University

HarryHarry

Harry Nakayama
Manager,
Global Partnerships,
Royal Roads University

Overview of Membership

527 Members

From 510 members in 2024, the IR-PLC membership has steadily increased, with 17 new members joining in the past year.

Members by Province/Territory

Events & Initiatives

hosted webinarshosted webinars

hosted webinars

welcomed guest speakerswelcomed guest speakers

welcomed guest speakers from senior leadership positions, industry and academia

hosted in-person sessionshosted in-person sessions

hosted in-person sessions during CBIE2024, the Ontario Regional Meeting, the Atlantic Regional Meeting, and CAEI 2025

Special Thanks

Thank you to CBIE, the IR-PLC Steering Committee, our members and all of our collaborators for another successful and engaging year!