International Advisory Board
Advisory body for our international dealings
David C. Dingwall
PRESIDENT & VICE-CHANCELLOR
CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY
The Honourable David C. Dingwall was installed as the 7th President and Vice-Chancellor of Cape Breton University on April 6, 2018.
Under his direction, Cape Breton University has achieved many significant milestones including launching a new strategic plan, new academic plan, an updated and inclusive executive committee, a new CBU Brand, unprecedented enrolment growth, and a revitalized campus, with plans for future growth and development.
Mr. Dingwall is highly regarded for his substantial, in-depth experience in both the private and public sectors, at both the national and international levels. In the 1993 Canadian election, under The Honourable Jean Chrétien, Mr. Dingwall was appointed to Cabinet as the Minister of Public Works and Minister of Supply and Services, Minister responsible for Canada Post, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing, Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint, Minister responsible for Defence Construction Limited, and the Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Mr. Dingwall also served on several Cabinet committees, including the Treasury Board and Economic Development. In 1996, Mr. Dingwall convinced Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to host the G7 Summit in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Leaders from the G7 convened in Halifax and Boris Yeltsin, the President of Russia, was a special attendee at that session. In 1996, Mr. Dingwall was appointed Minister of Health and, in 1997, he passed the Tobacco Control Act which, at the time, was the toughest tobacco legislation in the world. He was subsequently honoured by the Canadian Cancer Society and the World Health Organization.
Mr. Dingwall also has extensive corporate governance experience. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Canadian Mint, in less than two years, Mr. Dingwall grew its revenue to more than $100 million. Mr. Dingwall was also Co-Director of the Canada China Institute for Business and Development.
He holds degrees in commerce and law from Dalhousie University, has studied Corporate Governance at Harvard Law School, and is also a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D), Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. In 1997, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Cape Breton University.
Mr. Dingwall is also a distinguished author, most recently having penned “Negotiating So Everyone Wins” – Secrets you can use from Canada’s top business, sports, labour and political negotiators, the only book of its kind in North America.
He has been an extraordinary mentor to many Cape Bretoners and Canadians from coast to coast to coast, helping them establish their own careers and make a mark across our country.
Sarah Todd
As well as leading Griffith’s internationalisation activities, Professor Todd is currently President of APAIE (Asia Pacific Association of International Education), an appointed member of the Queensland Government’s International Education and Training Advisory Group (IETAG) and a member of both the Universities Australia and Innovative Research Universities (IRU) International Committees, as well as being on the boards of Study Gold Coast and the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA), the M Square Media advisory board and a Director of the Foundation for Asia Japan Studies. She also serves as a member of the Association for Commonwealth Universities (ACU) International Steering Group.
Raghwa Gopal
PRESIDENT & CEO AT INNOVATE BC
CANADA
A noted entrepreneur with over 30 years of international business experience and a recognized technology background, Raghwa has a deep understanding of business strategy, operational efficiency and organizational alignment.
Raghwa is a member of the Board of Governors at UBC and has guest lectured at UBC Okanagan in the Faculty of Management (Business) and the School of Arts and Sciences (Computer Science). He was Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Okanagan College School of Business, was named Honorary Fellow of the College and has served as the director of numerous community-based commissions and foundations including the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, the Okanagan College Foundation Board, Women’s Enterprise Centre, Project Literacy, YMCA, RCMP Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board and the Okanagan Angel Network of technology entrepreneurs.
A graduate of Central Institute of Technology, Wellington, New Zealand in Information Technology, Raghwa has also received degrees in computer science from Collier MacMillan School, Australia and the University of the South Pacific. In addition to his IT expertise, Raghwa is a certified Business and Executive Coach and a lead mentor, well known for his ongoing support and mentorship of young professionals, women in business and First Nations entrepreneurs.
Raghwa has a longstanding record of community and international leadership in establishing networks to reduce poverty, improve literacy, support health initiatives, offer disaster relief and encourage charitable works. His numerous awards include the Kelowna Community Leader Award, Top 40 Over 40, BC Community Achievement Award, Rotary Club Vocational Service Award, Man of the Year – Kelowna Civic Awards, Canadian Immigrant of the Year, Technology Innovator of the Year and Kelowna Entrepreneur of the Year.
Clark Hortsing
VICE PRESIDENT SALES AND MARKETING AT GUARD.ME INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
CANADA
As the Vice President Sales and Marketing, he has worked with the executive team to manage consistent growth – doubling the size of guard.me every three years since 2006. At York University, he moved from Student Affairs into international student services early in his career and remained there for most of his time with the University. As the Associate Director of York International he oversaw the consolidation and reorganization of many of the day to day supports for international students and guided the growth of the department from a lone employee to a robust student-centered service facility supporting incoming international students as well as domestic students undertaking a study abroad experience while at York. When not travelling the world on behalf of guard.me International Insurance, Clark looks for opportunities to sail in various locations around the globe and enjoys time with his family.
Arlene Griffiths
FORMER DIRECTOR BRITISH COUNCIL, EDUCATION UK
For the last 19 years, she has been working in the international higher education industry where she has gained a wide breadth of experience, enabling her to gain valuable, multifaceted insights on international student recruitment. She started at Cardiff University where she was Head of the International Office and represented Wales in the Education UK Partnership Board.
From there, she joined the British Council as Director, Education UK Partnership, giving her the opportunity to collaborate with the entire university sector and oversee the organization’s exhibitions. In 2010, Arlene set up and managed the UK subsidiary of IDP Education before running IDP Education USA in 2014, which led her to work within the U.S. market for an extended amount of time.
Arlene now runs AG Consultancy where she exercises her passion to support people and organizations in achieving their full potential through the inspiring difference that international education makes in society. Through over 35 years of professional experience, Arlene first launched her career in the pharmaceutical industry before progressing onto consumer healthcare, the sports sector, and consultancy.
