Careers for Globetrotters Panelists - Toronto

Careers for Globetrotters Panel Discussion

If you dream of having a career that enables you to travel, this info-packed session is not to be missed.

Come meet people who have been there and done it. Learn first-hand what kind of jobs are out there and how to get them. Whether you’re still in school, recently graduated or out in the workforce, our panel of professionals who have worked internationally in a range of fields—from humanitarian work to government, business and international development—will share their insights on how to set yourself up for an international career.

This session is brought to you by Verge Magazine in conjunction with their newest project Careers for Globetrotters, featuring interviews and insights from more than 100 people who have international careers.

Spaces are limited; please come early to avoid disappointment.

Please see below for profiles of the panelists.

Jeff Minthorn

Panel moderator

A co-founder of Verge Magazine, the Go Global Expo, and Careers for Globetrotters, Jeff is a well-known voice in the area of international working, studying and volunteering. Having worked, studied and travelled on six continents, Jeff is passionate about the important role international experience plays in developing responsible, caring global citizens. He has spoken to audiences across Canada and the United States on subjects ranging from how to plan an international volunteer experience, to developing effective media skills and literacy. Before co-founding Verge, he worked in the field of experiential education, including several years training experiential educators. Through Verge and the Go Global Expos, Jeff has been helping to connect international organizations and global citizens for nearly two decades.

Richard Zereik

Richard Zereik has over 24 years of international experience. He has held senior management positions in organizations concerned with humanitarian emergencies, international, youth and community development and Higher education, including 13 years with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), three years at Concordia University and eight years at McGill University.

Richard is currently a member in the Committee of Experts in Risk Management and Security of the Observatoire canadien sur les crises et l’action humanitaires (OCCAH), a psychosocial support care unit focal point for MSF, and an international experiences Coach, Advisor & Mentor. He sits on the International Association of Student Affairs and Services’ (IASAS) Board of Management and is their Regional Coordinator for Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Committees of the Salon1861 and of La Présence QI (Quartier de l’innovation) and is a board member of the Impact Hub Montreal. He has worked in many countries around the world, including Guyana, Armenia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Sudan (Darfur), Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Western Kenya, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Minerva Cernea

Minerva is the Assistant Director of Internships and Corporate Services for the IMBA Program at Schulich School of Business, York University. She has extensive leadership experience, both locally and internationally, in managing organizations as well as selecting leaders/managers for different companies.  Minerva conducted executive search assignments for more than 17 years; she completed more than 450 senior-level assignments across the Industrial, Technology, Private Equity, and FMCG sectors in 17 countries from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Michael Bouliane

Michael Bouliane is a senior public relations professional with more than 15 years of corporate communications management experience. As a multilingual corporate spokesperson, he has developed a number of successful media relations strategies and award-winning corporate social responsibility programs, while managing issues and advising senior executives. His international work experience in Latin America, Asia Pacific and North America gives him a global lens, and allows him to bring best practices and key learnings from around the world to his day-to-day work. Michael’s management and consulting experience spans a number of industries, and he recently worked as a pro bono Marketing and Communications Advisor in Peru with Cuso International. He is currently the Manager of Corporate Communications for Toyota Canada.

Ola Mirzoeva

Ola Mirzoeva is an artist and public servant who has worked and studied overseas, and has traveled to over 25 countries. Ola studied in France and launched her career in Ukraine, through the Canadian International Development Agency Youth Internship Program. She is a former Fellow of the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada, and has worked with various international organizations including the High Commission of Canada to Tanzania, and Digital Opportunity Trust. In 2018 she was selected as an UNLEASH Global Talent, a United-Nations backed global innovation lab focused on addressing the Sustainable Development Goals. Ola is currently Toronto-based, where she develops policy for the City of Toronto, and in 2019 launched the first intergovernmental forum on Newcomer Entrepreneurship for Export Development. Her artistic practice spans music, dance, poetry and film is influenced experiences abroad and inspired continuously by Toronto's diversity.