Professional experience
Executive Director (Executive in Residence)
Sep 2024 – Present · Part-time
Global Development Policy and Practice Hub, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa · Ottawa, ON
- Lead the establishment of a global development think-tank situated at the University of Ottawa.
- Generate new programming and partnerships in education and applied research relating to development practice.
- Develop and manage annual budgets, marketing, and revenue-generating activities.
Visiting Professor
Sep 2024 – Present · Part-time
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa · Ottawa, ON
- Design and teach experiential learning courses (FSS 1300 and FSS 1700) focused on transferable competencies.
- Integrate professional-development approaches with academic learning for adult students.
- Develop course materials connecting academic theory with professional practice.
- Evaluate learning outcomes and adapt pedagogical approaches based on student feedback.
Director, Technical Services
Apr 2020 – Present
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) · Ottawa, ON
- Lead program strategy, evaluation, and strategic communication for all WUSC programs, ensuring integration of research and best practices.
- Supervise a team of 10 program specialists and trainers supporting training, capacity development, and coaching across a wide range of disciplines.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations.
- Led successful program funding initiatives totalling more than $32 million in 2023.
- Coordinate strategic KPI development and performance measurement across programs.
Director of Programming and Partnerships
Apr 2015 – Apr 2020
Uniterra Program (WUSC and CECI Consortium) · Ottawa, ON
- Managed planning, partnerships, and public engagement for a 14-country program ($123 million over five years).
- Supervised a team of 8 staff and coordinated the mobilization of 3,000+ Canadian, Southern, and South-South volunteers.
- Facilitated the creation and maintenance of 200+ partner relationships across academic, government, and civil society sectors; led capacity assessments, systems analysis, and development plans.
- Established sustainable funding models; doubled revenue from institutional partnerships over three years through strategic partnership development.
Regional Coordinator, Africa
Apr 2014 – Apr 2015
WUSC · Ottawa, ON
- Managed WUSC programming in Botswana, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Malawi.
- Directly supervised four country directors and teams implementing education, livelihood, and health projects.
- Oversaw an annual budget of $3 million+ from Global Affairs Canada and USAID.
- Led successful major funding proposals, including the $123 million Uniterra proposal to DFATD.
Program Associate
Sep 2004 – Sep 2006
Coady International Institute, St. Francis Xavier University · Antigonish, NS
- Led institutional planning and evaluation strategies for professional-development programs.
- Designed and delivered alumni tracer studies and developed engagement strategies.
- Taught the course Local Responses to Globalization, integrating theory and practice.
- Developed curriculum materials for adult learners in professional-development contexts.
Local Facilitator
Sep 2000 – Mar 2003
Centre for Human Settlements, University of British Columbia · Vietnam
- Facilitated development of university–community partnerships across a network of five Vietnamese universities.
- Integrated student internships with research initiatives, connecting academic work with development practice.
- Coordinated project reporting and internal evaluations.
Program Officer
Sep 1997 – Sep 2000
World University Service of Canada · Vietnam
- Managed student internships and study-abroad programs in Vietnam; supervised placement of 40+ Canadian students and interns.
- Led training of Canadian interns and designed and supervised two international learning seminars connecting Canadian and Vietnamese university students.