Think Global, Link Local Returns
This award-winning event is proudly presented by the United Nations Association in Canada – Vancouver (www.unacvancouver.org) and the student volunteers from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Join us for the 12th annual Think Global, Link Local (TGLL) event, where we foster meaningful connections among BC undergraduate and graduate students, non-profit organizations, and local civil society groups with a global reach. Get ready to connect, learn, and be inspired! This is your opportunity to engage with like-minded individuals, discover new perspectives, and build valuable relationships in Metro Vancouver’s vibrant community.
Think Global, Link Local has been recognized by UNESCO’s IFIP (International Forum of Inclusion Practitioners) with a Global Inclusion Award in 2024. Since its inception in 2013, TGLL has grown into a key networking platform, bringing together over 120 recent graduates from colleges and universities across Metro Vancouver to engage with up to 16 non-profit organizations focused on social impact and international initiatives. Each year, we feature keynote speakers who are prominent social activists and public servants to share their lived experiences, insights on global and local challenges, and practical pathways for youth engagement and leadership in social change.
Join us—we’d love to see you there!
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 9 AM to 12 PM (Registration & breakfast buffet opens at 8 AM)
Where: Holiday Inn Vancouver-Centre (Broadway)
Ticket Prices:
🔔Early Bird: $25 + tax (ends Feb 15)
🕐 Regular : $30 + taxes
Meet Our Keynote Speaker
Jessie Sunner
Minister of Post-Secondary and Future Skills of British Columbia
Jessie Sunner was first elected as the MLA for Surrey-Newton in 2024.
Jessie was appointed Minister of Post Secondary Education and Future Skills in July 2025. She previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives.
Prior to being elected to the legislature, Jessie was a human rights lawyer and trade unionist for the Hospital Employees’ Union. She has been a strong advocate in the Surrey community for years, serving as Vice President of the Surrey Women’s Centre and Vice Chair of the Surrey Police Board. Jessie has also served on the boards of the South Asian Bar Association, BC College of Social Workers, and the United Nations Association in Canada.
Jessie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and a Law Degree from the University of Calgary.
She was raised in Surrey and continues to live there with her husband and their dog, Simba.
Meet Our Table Captains
Amnesty International Canada
Amnesty International is a global movement of over 10 million people in more than 170 countries working together to protect and promote human rights.
Amnesty International has a vision of a world where everyone enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.
Our mission is to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave human rights abuses and demand justice for those whose rights have been violated.
Katrina Chau
(Grassroots Activist Leader)
Katrina is a lawyer, human rights advocate, and grassroots activist leader. Prior to joining Amnesty, she specialized in the rights of refugees and migrants challenging negative decisions in the Federal Court of Canada.
She assisted victims of human trafficking as well as low-income migrant workers at risk of labour exploitation. Katrina currently promotes activism in the community pertaining to the rights of refugees.
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is a national not-for-profit organization and think tank focused on promoting Canada’s knowledge of and ties with the countries and peoples of the Asia Pacific. It achieves this by conducting policy research and analysis and bringing together experts from Canada and Asia to discuss economics, politics, security, technology, the environment, and other key issues.
Erin Williams
(Director of Programs)
Erin Williams is the Director of Programs at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; a not-for-profit think tank focused on Canada’s trans- Pacific ties. Her work includes Asia competence programming and editorial support for the Foundation’s research work. Prior to joining APF Canada, Erin worked for the Canadian Member Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP). She serves on the Advisory Board of the Canada China Forum and the Advisory Committee for KPU’s Asian Studies Program.
Canadian Red Cross
The mission of the Canadian Red Cross is to help people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and support them in strengthening their resilience. The Canadian Red Cross Society is part of the largest humanitarian network in the world. This network includes the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Adrienne Joy Bolen
(Senior Emergency Management Coordinator – BC’s Sea to Sky Region)
Adrienne Bolen sits on CRC’s BC Emergency Management team as a Senior Emergency Management Coordinator for the Sea to Sky region. In this role, she trains and manages a specialized team of volunteers that are on stand-by to respond to emergencies – anything from a single-family residential fire to a community-wide flood.
She got her start in her career through an internship with the United Nations World Food Programme that was funded by the United Nations Association of Canada! Adrienne went on to work for UNWFP for several years in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, where she led large scale digital registration and cash delivery programs, supported crisis reporting in high-conflict regions, and advanced inclusive, community-centered programming. These experiences have made her skilled in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and training design. Adrienne holds a degree in International Development from the University of Ottawa and has also supported grassroots development work in Guatemala and Peru.
Global Shapers Community – Vancouver Hub
Created by the World Economic Forum, the Global Shapers are a global community of over 10,000 young leaders aged between 18–30, working to create positive change in their local and global communities. Operating for over 8 years, the Vancouver Hub of the Global Shapers community works on tackling some of the most pressing issues facing our city and our world, while fostering a dynamic community of impact leaders in our city.
Matin Moradkhan
(Curator, Vancouver Shapers)
Matin Moradkhan is the Curator of Global Shapers Vancouver, committed to driving positive change through youth-led initiatives locally and globally. A passionate advocate for mental health equity, she founded the Talk Mental Health Foundation to advance mental fitness education for students. She holds a Master of Global Health from McMaster University and also serves as a UNICEF Canada youth mentor and official advocate.
Habitat for Humanity – Greater Vancouver
Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver is committed to creating sustainable and inclusive communities by providing affordable, safe housing for families, empowering youth through skills training, and promoting environmental stewardship through responsible deconstruction practices. With the help of volunteers, corporate partnerships and generous donors, Habitat for Humanity gives Partner Families a hand-up into affordable homeownership.
Lynne Stanger
(Director of Family Services)
Lynne Stanger is Director of Family & Community Engagement at Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, leading youth skills programs, community partnerships, and housing initiatives. She has extensive experience in non-profits locally and internationally, and believes in the transformative power of global knowledge and an international mindset.
Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)
Since 1968, ISSofBC has worked to provide a welcoming and empowering environment for all newcomers to British Columbia. Our services support settlement and English language needs, as well as employment and career ambitions. We are driven by core values and principles that put inclusivity, compassion and innovation at the centre of our work. We serve over 25,000 newcomers to BC each year. You can learn more about ISSofBC at www.issbc.org.
Sadaf Maqsoodi
(Executive Coordinator, CEO Office and Board of Directors – Administration)
Sadaf Maqsoodi is a strategic leader with 8+ years in non-profit, government, and international development, advancing programs in inclusion, education, gender equality, and youth empowerment. A Fulbright Scholar with a Master’s in International Affairs, she drives cross-cultural collaboration, forges high-impact partnerships, and delivers sustainable, transformative outcomes.
Lean In Canada
Lean In Canada is a community of professional women empowering each other to build purposeful and fulfilling careers. We envision a world where people of every gender can pursue their dreams without bias or other barriers. A world where girls grow up to be confident, resilient leaders, and where more women run companies and countries. At our core, we are driven by the belief that our society and economy would be better if women and girls were valued more.
Una Mladenovic
(Vice-President, Marketing)
Una is a dedicated leader in marketing operations and a passionate advocate for education and the arts. With over a decade in nonprofits and management, Una has volunteered with organizations like the Red Cross, United Way, and Americans for the Arts, focusing on education, gender equality, and community engagement. Una brings expertise in marketing strategy, operations, and project management to create meaningful impact.
Ocean Wise
Our Ocean. Our Future. Ocean Wise believes that together, we can protect our ocean. With an action plan for the next decade, Ocean Wise is committed to initiatives addressing three critical challenges that face our oceans through direct action: climate change, ocean pollution, and overfishing. The Ocean Wise Youth Initiative includes programs designed to educate youth, break down barriers between social, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds to advance ocean conservation efforts.
Brittany Mclean
(Manager, Youth)
Brittany has been part of Ocean Wise for four years and holds a degree in Political Science as well as a master’s in Social Justice and Equity Studies, with a focus on youth empowerment and development. Based in Vancouver and originally from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Brittany is passionate about environmental policy and how youth can influence policymakers to help protect and restore our oceans.
Abby Young
(Youth Coordinator)
Abby Young is the Youth Coordinator at Ocean Wise, bringing a strong background in wildlife biology and applied research on Pacific salmon populations. With over five years of direct field experience, including habitat monitoring, stock assessments, ecological restoration, and leading citizen science initiatives, she has developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal ecosystems.
Qmunity
Founded in 1979, Qmunity is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people through services, connection, and leadership. For over 45 years, Qmunity has provided vital programs, resources, and advocacy to support 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies across British Columbia. Committed to truth and reconciliation, Qmunity continues to foster inclusion, amplify community voices, and create safer, more equitable spaces for everyone.
Didi Dufresne
(Director of Legal Services)
Didi (they/he/she) has worked for QMUNITY as the Director of Legal Services since September 2024. They are a lawyer and practice primarily in housing and human rights law.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is more than just Canada’s national police service. We have been part of the fabric of Canada since 1873 – over 150 years. We are one of only a few police services recognized around the world for both our policing excellence and our image as the ‘Mountie.’ Over the years, we have continued to grow and evolve with Canadians. Today, we are a modern, diverse, and inclusive RCMP that serves with honour and pride to help keep communities safe.
Table Captain TBC
to be updated
United Nations Association in Canada -Vancouver (UNAC-V)
UNAC-V aims to inform, inspire and engage with people in Metro Vancouver through local partnerships, to accomplish the vital work of the UN. Some of the many issues UNAC-V addresses, include poverty, gender inequalities, human rights, cross-cultural understanding, environmental degradation and threats to peace and security. This is all brought together under the umbrella of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our affairs are guided by our volunteer Board of Directors, who are responsible for advising local policy decisions, planning and implementing activities, and the management of general branch operations.
George Sommerwill
(Director-at-Large; Past President)
George is as Canadian former United Nations staff member who worked for the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in a number of peacekeeping and other UN operational areas from 1996-2011. His work took him to Angola, Iraq (the Oil-for-Food Program), Pakistan (with UNICEF), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Liberia. George has a MA in Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development in York U, UK. George started his career in the BBC Africa service and the CBC (As it Happens). As a journalist and producer, he travelled frequently to some of the world’s worst trouble spots, including Ethiopia and Somalia. He also worked for CIDA and CARE Canada in Ottawa and Africa (Kenia and Zimbabwe) in communications and fundraising programming. He is currently an honorary member and past-President of the Vancouver Board of the UN Association in Canada (UNAC) and was on the board of MOSAIC, a Vancouver-based immigrant service organization, from 2015-2021.
Rosio Godomar
(UNAC-Vancouver Treasurer)
Rosio was born in Peru and now, lives in Vancouver. She is a nutritionist and a keen amateur photographer; She has worked with the UN World Food Program (WFP) for more than 20 years in humanitarian and emergency programs in Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Sudan, Ethiopia and Liberia) and the Middle East (Iraq) as well as South Asia (Pakistan and Afghanistan). She has studied nutrition in Peru and Germany and has an MSc in Human Nutrition from the Federal University of Rio da Janeiro, Brazil. In 2013, Rosio started the “Educate Girls Network” (EGN) – initiative to sponsor girl students from underprivileged rural families in Liberia, West Africa to complete their higher education and become educators (www.educategirlsnetwork.org). This initiative was created based on the challenges facing African girls who want a higher education. From 2011 to 2017, she worked as a food service supervisor with Fraser Health.
Currently she is doing a volunteer job as mentor with MOSAIC Workplace Connections Program in Vancouver, supporting new immigrants and refugees in BC,. Rosio also volunteers with the United Nations Association in Canada (UNAC), Vancouver branch.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Canada
WILPF brings together people united in a commitment to abolish the causes and legitimization of war. WILPF works toward world peace; total and universal disarmament; the abolition of violence and coercion in conflict resolution; and the promotion of negotiation and conciliation, the strengthening of the United Nations system, the advancement of international law, political and social equality, economic equity, cooperation among all people, and environmentally sustainable development.
Ellen Woodsworth
(Co-President)
Ellen Woodsworth coordinated the WILPF “”On to Ottawa Peace Caravan”” from Vancouver to Ottawa and walked 200 k for peace across Nova Scotia. She was founder and is Matriarch of Women Transforming Cities International Society, www.womentransformingcities.org, a former Vancouver City Councilor and an international speaker on peace, urban issues, women and 2SLGBTQIA issues.
TGLL 2026 Sponsors
