Message from the Chair
The International Network of Tomorrow’s Leaders (INTL) provides a space for new professionals and emerging leaders to build a network and find their footing in the field of international education.
The impactful programming INTL provides is all thanks to the hard-working Steering Committee members who volunteer their time. As the inaugural INTL Steering Committee, they had the challenge of helping me figure out how this new structure would work, and I couldn’t have done it without them. They were patient, creative, and problem solvers, and it made my job as Chair easy, and it helped hundreds of new professionals adjust to the international education field. Here is a brief overview of the events and work done by our brilliant team this year:
The Steering Committee evaluated 39 bursary applications and awarded ten (10) bursaries for new professionals to attend their first CBIE Annual Conference. At the conference, we also supported the bursary recipients and other new professionals with a networking event and a lunch panel to discuss the benefits of mentorship programs.
For the mentorship program, the team matched 36 mentors with 39 mentees and provided webinars, discussion posts, and feedback surveys to support participants.
We also hosted two guest speakers who shared their career journeys, experiences navigating change, and answered questions from our participants. It’s always a great opportunity to learn from experienced leaders in our field.
In 2025, the INTL PLC consisted of a two-person Leadership Team, including one Chair and a CBIE Liaison. INTL’s Steering Committee consisted of eight (8) members and two honorary mentions who were with the team for part of the year. The team came together throughout the year for meetings and team-building opportunities, and subgroups hosted their own meetings for project updates and planning.
I am pleased to present the annual report outlining INTL’s wonderful work and the events it ran this year. Cheers to the connections made in 2025 and to continuing to grow our network and reach in 2026.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Veres
Purpose
The mandate of the International Network of Tomorrow’s Leaders (INTL) is to provide an environment for new professionals and emerging leaders in the field of Canadian international higher education to share ideas, collaborate on projects/programs, and learn from each other.
Mission
The mission of INTL is to provide a space for new professionals and emerging leaders to cultivate professional networks and get involved in the Canadian international higher education community.
Objectives
INTL focuses on topics and content geared towards developing the next generation of leaders of international education. In particular, the INTL will aspire to:
- Facilitate learning opportunities between new professionals/emerging leaders and experts in the field
- Facilitate skill development of all participants
- Contribute to the establishment of a learning and mentorship community
- Foster the exchange of ideas and strategies regarding internationalization of Canadian higher education
- Stay apprised of current trends in the field of international education
Steering Committee
Jacqueline Veres
Jacqueline Veres
Education Abroad Advisor,
University of Guelph
Flavia Campana Omori
Flavia Campana Omori
International Student Navigator,
Red Deer Polytechnic
Carla Simon
Carla Simon
Team Manager in Admissions and Recruitment,
Université de Montréal
Mahima Ohri
Mahima Ohri
International Recruitment and Enrolment Coordinator,
Red Deer Polytechnic
Andrea Santos
Andrea Santos
Global Learning Advisor,
University of Calgary
Behnoush Sararoodi
Behnoush Sararoodi
International Education Officer,
Ontario Tech University
Meredith Heinrich
Meredith Heinrich
International Operations, Project Lead,
Humber Polytechnic
Ayesha Amin
Ayesha Amin
Global Learning and Engagement,
University of Toronto
Andrea MacRae
Andrea MacRae
International Student Advisor,
SAIT
Overview of Membership
387 Members
From 361 members in 2024, INTL’s membership has increased, with 26 new members joining in the past year.
Members by Province/Territory
Events & Initiatives
mentor-mentee pairs
mentor-mentee pairs participated in the Mentorship Program
hosted virtual sessions
hosted virtual sessions featuring seasoned professionals as guest speakers
in-person networking events
in-person networking events at CBIE2024, The Ontario Regional Meeting, and the Western Regional Meeting
Special Thanks
It has been a pleasure to serve as the INTL Chair over the past two years. Our INTL community of new professionals and our sector continue to grow and evolve, and INTL has grown and adapted alongside them. With this change, I had the privilege of working with some incredible professionals on INTL’s first-ever Steering Committee this year. We brought together a mix of returning members and new additions, creating a strong team committed to delivering the meaningful programming INTL is known for.
This was an exciting opportunity to help shape INTL’s transformation and continue supporting emerging leaders in our field. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the INTL PLC this year.
I also want to thank Mahvish Wesley. Your guidance was invaluable in navigating INTL’s transformation and in my own professional growth. And Sophie, I could not have done any of this without your support, so a big thank you to both of you.
Finally, thank you to CBIE for providing emerging leaders with a space to build community and grow professionally. These opportunities are essential for fostering a strong and thriving international education sector. I know INTL is in great hands for the year ahead, and I am excited to see it continue to grow and strengthen our community.
