IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING  I  SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. (ET) TORONTO  I  MEMBERS AND PUBLIC

208N, North House, 1 Devonshire Place, Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy

As the global landscape and Canada-China relations evolve, pursuing or continuing a career in China is becoming more complex. Canadian young professionals and students are facing a growing set of challenges, such as access to higher educational institutions and job markets, safety and privacy concerns, and skepticism about adding work experience in China on their resumes. For businesses, policymakers, and professionals, understanding China’s economic structure, political landscape, and cultural nuances is essential for staying competitive and informed. Despite the seemingly discouraging outlook, China will remain attractive for prospective students and professionals across industries and sectors, and will continue to be significant for Canada as a whole, impacting its economic, geopolitical, and social landscape in profound ways.

The roundtable will be moderated by the Forum’s Co-Programming Director Maxime Proud featuring discussants Sarah Kutulakos, Executive Director, at the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), and Darren Touch, Founder and CEO of the Canada China Forum.

Sarah Kutulakos joined the CCBC in 2007 and has since revitalized CCBC’s role as Canada’s premier bilateral trade and investment organization. Sarah has re-centered the Council’s activities around providing business services, catalyzing business growth and activity, and advocating for stronger Sino-Canadian bilateral trade and investment. This has resulted in extensive public outreach activities, internal infrastructure improvements, the launch of new programs such as the Business Incubation Centre, and thriving member relations.

Prior to joining CCBC, Sarah worked for 11 years in marketing, product development, and management with a major multinational corporation, where she had multiple assignments involving China. Sarah managed worldwide product businesses that marketed to China and used China-based sources of supply. She was also involved in several projects requiring cooperation with the Chinese government. Sarah has led both established and start-up businesses within the context of a global corporation and has broad emerging market business experience, and has been involved in the Greater China region since the late 1980’s when she lived and worked in Taiwan. There, she was the first non-Chinese employee of a local high-tech start-up firm, where she gained a deep understanding of Chinese business practices.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Sarah’s interest in China began at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied Chinese, marketing, and international business. She holds an MBA in finance and operations from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She frequently speaks on China issues, including marketing, trade, investment, and Canada-China relations.

For any questions, please contact Co-Director of Programming Maxime Proud ([email protected])