We are very pleased to announce that Gwen Burrows, currently the Executive Director in the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), has been appointed the inaugural Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement and Impact, effective June 1, 2022.
The Assistant Vice-President, International Engagement and Impact (AVP IEI) will collaborate with colleagues across the university and internationally to advance the University of Toronto’s global excellence and impact in research, its translation, and in teaching and learning. The Assistant Vice-President will lead and execute the University’s integrated international strategy across multiple dimensions, with a particular focus on region-specific engagement strategies and the development of partnerships to maximize global impact and advance the University’s role and reputation as one of the world’s top universities.
The AVP IEI will work closely with communications and advancement portfolios to continue to leverage opportunities to not only deepen the University’s international partnerships but also articulate and amplify the University’s impact, locally and globally.
As a member of the International portfolio’s Executive Team, Gwen will continue to work closely with the Associate Vice President International Partnerships, Professor Alex Mihailidis, and Associate Vice President and Vice Provost International Student Experience, Professor Alexie Tcheuyap.
Over the past four and a half years, Gwen, in her role as OVPI Executive Director, supported the creation and implementation of the University’s first international strategic plan, and led the development of key international partnerships in a number of regions around the world. In particular, Gwen played an instrumental leadership role in the development of the recently-launched Health Collaborative Network with eight universities in Africa, supported by a very significant philanthropic grant from the Mastercard Foundation.
Gwen’s collaborative and strategic leadership skills have made her a valued leader within the Office of the Vice President International. She brings with her significant strategic and administrative experience and a true passion for international partnership development at a number of tables across the university and beyond.
Gwen came to the University from The Hospital for Sick Children, where she held a number of leadership positions, including Executive Director, Public Affairs and Child Health Advocacy. As Director, Strategic Projects for the SickKids Research Institute from 2006-2013, amongst other accomplishments Gwen co-led a successful $227 million Canada Foundation for Innovation grant proposal and its implementation to support the vision guiding the development of the Peter Gilligan Centre for Research and Learning.
