International Relations Professional Learning Community (IR-PLC)

Rooted in more than a decade of international education experience across both the private and public sectors, Natasha most recently joined the University of Guelph in 2021 as the Manager, Global Engagement and Partnerships. This role is situated in a newer office, the Office of International Strategy and Partnerships. In her current role, she works closely and collaboratively with campus partners to meet their internationalization and partnership goals. Her work is focused on partnership development and management, collaborating with a range of stakeholders at institutions and organizations abroad.

Being a proud alumna of Guelph, Natasha was excited to return to U of G professionally and contribute to establishing this new unit.

Prior to Guelph, Natasha was at KPU in B.C. and before that she lived and worked abroad as an Education Advisor.

Natasha holds a Certificate in Adult Education from George Brown College. Fluent in Spanish, she has studied, lived or worked in Cuba, Ecuador, and Uruguay.

Emily MacDougall is the Director of Global Partnerships in the Office of Global Engagement at the University of British Columbia (UBC), responsible for institutional partnerships, agreements and international relations, and more broadly for fostering strategic partnership engagement that supports long-term institutional goals. Prior to joining UBC in 2019, Emily worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years, focused on partnership management and global development programs, working extensively in East Africa in particular.  Emily holds a MA in International Studies from SFU and BComm from Queen’s University.

With over 17 years experience in International Education and Relations, Sherilyn has worked in almost every aspect of the international realm in post-secondary education. She has a passion for international experiential learning and international relations. Graduating from the University of Prince Edward Island with a Bachelor of Business Administration including certificates in Cooperative Education and Accounting, completing a Master of Education – Leadership in Learning with a focus on International Education, also from UPEI, Sherilyn is now employed by her alma mater as the International Liaison Officer and Manager of Study Abroad and International Partnerships. Her main role is managing international relations with current and potential partners as well as focussing on enhancing and increasing study abroad opportunities for UPEI students.

Sara Berman (she/her) serves as the Executive Director, Global Engagement & Partnerships at Toronto Metropolitan University, overseeing international engagement, partnerships, global learning initiatives, as well as international travel safety. Sara entered into the international higher education field after over a decade in international health and development where she led programs across Canada and West, East, and Southern Africa. Her extensive experience bridges global education and development, enabling her to foster meaningful collaborations and expand global opportunities for students, faculty, and institutional partners.

Recep joined York University in January 2022 as a Global Learning Corrdinator and was promoted to his current role the following year. Before joining York International, Recep served as the Manager of International Relations and Head of the Broadcasting Strategies Centre at one of the world’s largest public broadcasters, the Turkish Radio Television Corporation (TRT), for nearly three years.

Prior to TRT, Recep worked as a Senior Specialist in the International Higher Education and Scholarships Division of the Ministry of Education in Turkey for five years. During his time at the Ministry, he led a team of professionals in administering a Study Abroad Scholarship Program with an annual value of $200 million, supporting over 5,000 students in more than 40 countries. He also negotiated co-funding agreements with universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

Recep holds a PhD degree in Political Science from the University of Sheffield (UK), an MA degree in Political Science from the University of Manchester (UK) and a BA in International Relations from Turkey. He was a visiting researcher during his PhD studies at Princeton University, and a visiting lecturer at the University of Warsaw (Poland). Recep also taught international politics and globalization courses at the Public Administration Institute for Turkey and the Middle East (TODAIE).

Fun facts: Recep hosted a live TV show for two years and was a member of the University of Sheffield Basketball Team and Trafford BC Manchester.

Kimmy Do, MSc., is the Manager, Global Learning and Engagement, International Centre at Humber Polytechnic, Toronto, Ontario. With over 15 years of extensive experience in international education, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills in spearheading various international projects, partnerships, program development, and teaching in Canada and Vietnam. Her expertise extends across partnership development, academic exchange facilitation, work-integrated learning initiatives, and business development endeavors.

Throughout her career, Kimmy has been instrumental in crafting impactful programs while simultaneously contributing to the international educational landscape in both Canada and Vietnam. Drawing from her roles as an international student, professional, exchange faculty member, and immigrant across different countries, she brings a unique and multifaceted perspective to her work. This diverse exposure has fueled her passionate advocacy for the transformative potential of international education. Kimmy firmly believes in its capacity to empower individuals and foster positive societal change.

Sylvie Jasen is the International Projects Coordinator at Carleton International, where she oversees research mobility programming for the university. She has over five years’ experience in the International Research Office and over 20 years’ experience at Carleton, including as an instructor in Film Studies and Communications, and completing a doctoral degree at the Institute of Comparative Studies in Literature, Art, and Culture. While coming from a diverse background in research, teaching, and the arts, Sylvie embraces her current role supporting researchers’ international activities and collaborations. She is grateful to be part of a community of colleagues, both at Carleton and across Canada, who are equally committed to advancing the values of global citizenship within higher education.

Harry is a dedicated international education professional with over 11 years of diverse experience in the field. His career began as an agent promoting Canadian education programs to the Japanese market. Transitioning to the public university sector, Harry managed international custom programs and provided support for international students. He later joined the recruitment and partnerships department, where he contributed to student recruitment, enrollment support, partnership development, and student exchange programs.

Currently, Harry serves as the Manager of Global Partnerships at Royal Roads University. In this role, he leads a team that oversees global and domestic partnerships, manages institutional agreements, and facilitates study abroad programs. As a Regulated International Student Immigration Advisor (RISIA), Harry integrates his immigration expertise to enhance the support provided to students and partners.

Born and raised in Japan, Harry brings a global perspective to his job, having studied and worked in the United States and Canada. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Manitoba and recently completed the MBA Essentials at the University of Toronto.