Honorable Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC

Chairman

Hon. Pierre S. Pettigrew, PC is currently Executive Advisor, International for Deloitte, where he is a valued resource to senior Deloitte leaders in Canada and throughout Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu globally. In 2009 he chaired the Warwick Commission – an international commission of policy makers and researchers tasked with examining the global trading system and making recommendations about its future shape and direction. Hon. Pettigrew has led a distinguished career with success in both public and private sectors. He has led a number of senior departments in his 10 years as a minister in successive governments of Canada. From 1985-95, Hon. Pettigrew was an International Business Consultant with Deloitte. During his tenure, he emerged as a strong voice for business and an articulate analyst of GATT, World Trade Organization (WTO) & NAFTA negotiations. His visibility on international trade issues garnered an appointment to the federal cabinet prior to his election to Parliament. As Federal Minister, he chaired several working groups on tough international trade negotiations, and led trade missions to China, India, Russia, Germany, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, Mexico and more. His international insight led to his appointment as Foreign Affairs Minister. One of his crowning achievements in this role was leading the nationally and globally lauded international policy review that provided the government of Canada with a fully integrated approach of diplomacy, defense, trade and development in international affairs.In acknowledgement of his many notable achievements and contributions in politics, public service, and international business and trade, U.K.’s University of Warwick recognized Hon. Pettigrew with an Honorary Doctorate of Law in 2008. Pierre is widely regarded as ‘India friendly’ and has built strong support within the ‘Indo-Canadian’ community.

Kam Rathee

Vice-Chair

Kam Rathee is a Special Adviser, working with the Firm’s India Practice Group. A leading authority on Canada-India business relations, he held the position of president and executive director at the Canada-India Business Council from 2004 to 2009. Earlier, from 2001 to 2004, he headed a Toronto-based international consultancy, assisting Canadian companies in India and Indian companies in Canada. From 1988 to 2001, as a top legal executive of Canada Life, Kam was senior counsel for its group insurance operations in North America, U.K. and Ireland, and later as chief counsel for their international operations, looked after their interests in India, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Macau, and the Caribbean. Kam relocated to India and, from 1983 to 1988, conducted a very successful international practice of law in New Delhi. This, coupled with his leadership role for Canada Life in India (1995 to 2001), gave him unmatched experience and widespread contacts in India. From 1970 to 1983, he was a senior in-house counsel for Crown Life in Toronto. In the social arena, he is the vice chairman of the Canada-India Education Council, a non-profit national association. In addition, he has served with United Way of Metropolitan Toronto, was chairman of Pickering’s Pine Ridge School Community Council, co-chair of Ajax-Pickering Transit Advisory Committee and a member of the City of Pickering Library Board, to name a few. Kam’s accomplishments to date speak to his being at home both in Canada and India and hence has a unique international persona.

Husain F. Neemuchwala

Chief Executive Officer

As past President and founder of International Center for Education (ICE), Husain F. Neemuchwala has been the recipient of various accolades for his work on international student recruitment. His areas of expertise include (1) Organizing fairs and recruiting events (2) Networking and Learning Events and (3) Education Consulting. As Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, CIEC continues to thrive to promote education ties between Canada and India, including affiliations, partnerships, joint ventures & programming, conducting missions & delegations and other areas of collaboration which facilitate cross border education. Husain has facilitated networking and learning activities within Canada’s education community by delivering events such as the Synergy series, held every summer in Toronto. With Husain playing a key role at CIEC, the organization continues to play a critical role in the evolution of Canada’s education sector, especially in its ‘internationalization’ efforts, and has helped galvanize the ‘education corridor’ that exists between Canada and India. Husain is upbeat about how Canada is viewed around the world and works tirelessly in growing ‘Brand Canada’. He does, however, remind us that this work is a joint effort and all stakeholders need to work together to make Canada truly a desirable destination for international students and for education partnership. Husain has been actively championing Canada’s ‘internationalization efforts’ in India and is keenly following recent developments within the government’s policy in terms of the ‘opening’ of India’s doors.

Prof. Roseann O’Reilly Runte

President & Vice Chancellor, Carleton University

Dr. Roseann O’Reilly Runte is President & Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University and has been awarded the Order of Canada, French Order of Merit and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. She has also been awarded several prizes for her work on the environment community and national service. In addition, Dr. Runte holds a number of honorary degrees. Dr. Runte is an ardent friend of India, having hosted numerous India centric events and after countless visits to India she has played an admirable role in bridging the academic divide between Canada and India and has led the way were others are now following. Dr. Runte has served on numerous boards and commissions in both Canada and the US. She was president of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, president of the Humanities Federation of Canada, a member of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Foundation for International Training (FITT). She currently serves on the advisory board of SunGard SGT, National Bank of Canada, the executive of the Royal Society, LifeNet Health Board, Fulbright Canada-U.S. and the Ontario-Quebec Private Sector Advisory Committee. She is a member of both the European and the World Academy of Arts and Sciences. In addition, Dr. Runte is the author of numerous scholarly works in the fields of French, comparative literature, economic and cultural development, higher education, and the importance of research.

Surinder Singh

North India Representative

Surinder Singh has a total of 25 years of diverse and vast experience in marketing and business. He is an entrepreneur and freelancer in the field of International Couriers. From 1998 – 2006 he worked as an outsourcing agency with India’s top private sector banks, building a strong network of top government, semi-government and private companies in India such as FICCI, CII, British Council, USIEF and Indus Foundation, among others. He has been associated with ICE Unlimited and Canada India Business Council (Education Division). In addition, since 2009 he has been representing the “Canada-India Education Council” as CIEC’s North India Representative. In the social arena, he is the General Secretary of the World Trade Center Welfare Society (Regd.) Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.

Eva Pawlowska

Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Eva plans, directs, and coordinates CIEC operations while upholding the Canada India Education Council’s mission and philosophy. CIEC is unique in its diverse client base and far-reaching long-term objectives. It is crucial client needs are met, costs are kept minimal, policies and procedures are reviewed and adjusted as needed. To that end, Eva works tirelessly to seek new tools, strategies, and solutions that enhance service quality and business efficiency. With a focus on innovative technology integration, economic efficiency, and responsible, transparent direction, Eva hopes to build a strong foundation upon which CIEC can continue to flourish and effect real change in the bustling Canada-India education corridor.

Rohit Gupta

Director of Client Services

As Director of Client Services, Rohit’s focus is on the development and evolution of short and long term projects which combine business goals with consumer needs. He provides direction, management and support for implementation and ongoing effectiveness of quality services within a quality/risk management framework. He works closely with the core team to develop and maintain a process plan and follows it through completion.

Gaurav Verma

Project Coordinator

As Project Coordinator, Gaurav manages the iCARE Initiative, CIEC’s Agent membership category. Gaurav’s years of experience working in the Agent Market in India makes him uniquely qualified to uphold the iCARE Standards and guide education agents through the iCARE Process. He brings with him his vast experience working with students — the last 5 years of which were spent in the Canadian student market — and valuable, active, working relationships with over 40 ACCC colleges in Canada. He is accredited with a unique method of working with the Sub Associate Network for the Indian Market, keeping a student-centric approach to expand, generate and maximize results. His knowledge of Education Management, International Student Recruitment, and Marketing has proven a valuable contribution to CIEC and will have a lasting effect in serving and assisting Canadian and Indian education stakeholders.

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