Unlocking Opportunities: The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) as a Partner for Global Engagement

Faye Salins

Senior Intercultural and Diplomatic Advisor

University of Calgary

Faye Salins has 15+ years of experience in the international education sector in Canada and India, with specialized focus in diplomatic relations, protocol and international cooperation. Faye holds an MSc. International Management from the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, and a Masters in Finance from the University of Mumbai, India. In her current role, Faye serves as the liaison between the University of Calgary and embassies, consulates, foreign governments and the Trade Commissioner Service to establish relationships, identify international opportunities and facilitate partnerships with partners around the world.

Jaqueline Aguilar

Regional Education Trade Commissioner for North America and the Caribbean, Global Affairs Canada, International Education division

Global Affairs Canada, International Education division

Jaqueline Aguilar is the Regional Education Trade Commissioner for North America and the Caribbean at Global Affairs Canada’s International Education division. In her capacity as Regional Education Trade Commissioner, Jaqueline offers guidance to Trade Commissioners based in the Regional Offices in Canada as well as in the Canadian Embassies, Consulates and Trade Offices abroad. Her support helps Trade Commissioners implement Canada’s International Education Strategy and identify business opportunities for Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) clients.

Jaqueline Aguilar has a wealth experience in the International Education sector with over 20 years of hands-on experience promoting Canada’s education sector capabilities worldwide. She works closely with Trade Commissioners responsible for the International Education sector, employing her expertise to identify and capitalize on commercial and recruitment opportunities for Canadian education institutions and organizations.

Tom Cumming

Deputy Director (High Intensity Services)

Ontario Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service

Upon completing studies in commerce at the University of Alberta and in law at the University of Victoria, Tom joined the federal government with Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Tom was posted to the Embassy of Canada in Beijing and subsequently left the government to manage the operations of a Canadian software company in China. After having earned a MBA from the University of Navarra in Barcelona, Spain, Tom established a trading company in China for the sourcing of industrial products. As a Global Affairs Canada officer, he has served at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, as the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General in Guangzhou, and is currently the Deputy Director of the Ontario Regional Office of the Trade Commissioner Service.

Salima Jethani

Director, Global Engagement

Simon Fraser University

Salima Jethani is the Director, Global Engagement at SFU International and is responsible for promoting and optimizing SFU’s global engagement, particularly through partnerships and strategic relations in the regions of Africa, the Middle East, and South, Central, and Western Asia. She also leads SFU International’s role in mobilizing SFU’s research and expertise to support global sustainable development initiatives. Salima’s background includes 15 years in the public service both at the federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the BC Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation where she led the trade divisions activities in International Education. She was also a director at the BC Council for International Education and has worked in India, Africa, and across Canada with international development organizations including the Aga Khan Development Network, the United Way of the Lower Mainland, and the BC Council for International Cooperation. She holds a Master’s degree in Global Management from Royal Roads University.

Veronica Soto

Education-Trade Commissioner

Consulate of Canada, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México

Veronica has over 20 years of experience on international education. She is based at the Consulate of Canada in Guadalajara, where she is responsible for the promotion of the Canadian education sector in the Western-Bajio states of Mexico including, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Colima. Previous joining the Consulate of Canada, Veronica worked at the Jalisco Ministry of Education, at the University of Guadalajara and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) Jalisco office. Veronica, has a deep understanding of the Mexican education market and a strong focus in facilitating relationships between Canada´s and Mexico´s education institutions and key players of the sector. Veronica holds a bachelor degree in international relations by the University of Guadalajara and a Master in international development by the University Complutense of Madrid.

Christine Walker

Director, Global Partnerships

George Brown College

Christine is no stranger to the positive impact a global experience can provide. In Christine’s previous career as a chef, she had the opportunity to live and work abroad in several countries before joining George Brown College as a faculty member in 2004. In 2012, Christine transitioned into the academic chair position leading the Chef School at the college. One of the first directives implemented was to significantly increase the number of global opportunities for their students. During her time leading the Chef School, Christine and her team developed two new degrees and a new international post-graduate program and offered numerous short-term study-abroad opportunities to many countries, including Peru, India, Thailand, France, Spain, China and Italy. In 2020, Christine was given the opportunity to work on an international project as part of a secondment before transitioning into the then newly developed role of Director of Global Partnerships within the Global Partnerships and Education Division. A graduate of Guelph’s MBA in Sustainable Commerce, Christine now leads the implementation of global partnership work in collaboration with all divisions at the college. Global education doesn’t stop within her academic role however, in 2019, Christine and her family took a month-long trip to Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam with the sole purpose of exposing their children to new cultures, cuisines and experiences. The imprint that trip left on them only further empowers Christine’s desire to provide all students with a global experience.