Cyndi McLeod is an award-winning executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in international education. Her expertise lies in building strategic partnerships with businesses and organizations, and many of her initiatives have resulted in growth and expansion at the institutions she has worked. Cyndi’s specialization is in the internationalization of education, and she has led numerous joint ventures between education entities in Canada, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe.

Cyndi has been building connections in India since 2002 when she held the role of Associate Vice-President and CEO of TRU World at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). During her time, she increased enrolments and revenues from $3.5M to more than $22M in just eight years. She also founded two of the largest and most successful joint venture programs in China. Cyndi developed partnerships with Indigenous groups in Chile, Bolivia and Peru, as well as First Nations and Indigenous groups in Canada, to start joint training initiatives in tourism and economic development, cultural exchange, and research projects. Cyndi received an award for Distinguished Service and Recognition of Leadership and Vision in International Education during her time at TRU World.

As VP Global Advancement, Marketing and Business Development at Royal Roads University (RRU) from 2009 until 2014, Cyndi led nine portfolios, including Marketing, Recruitment, Business Development, Advancement, Community Relations, External Relations, and International Education. She led RRU re-branding initiative, which won numerous awards including the Innovation in International Marketing Award and the Innovation in International Education Award of Excellence from British Columbia Council for International Education (BCCIE).

Cyndi also developed the office of Global Advancement – including the establishment of recruitment channels and business development strategies with international partners worldwide. She developed a thriving international contract training division and oversaw the establishment of offshore joint ventures in China. At RRU Cyndi established recruitment and business development offices in India, China, Latin America and Korea.

Cyndi joined Global University Systems (GUS) as CEO in Canada in 2017, using her expertise in building strong brands and strategic relationships across the education sector to expand GUS Canada’s network in Canada, which now includes eight acclaimed brands and more than 170 partnerships worldwide. In 2020, Cyndi received the Canada China Business Council’s (CCBC) 5 at 50 Award in the alumni category. She also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from BCCIE in 2022. Most recently, Cyndi led the launch of University of Niagara Falls Canada, operated by GUS Canada in the Niagara region, which will be ready to welcome new students in 2024.

Throughout her career, Cyndi has always been a proponent of women in leadership. When she noticed that fewer women were being appointed to the most senior international education roles in both public and private institutions, she started Glow Ed - Global Women in International Education, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering and engaging women at all levels of international education by providing a platform for dialogue, networking, and mentorship. Established in 2015, Glow Ed honours Cyndi’s commitment to fostering the advancement of women in the education sector, creating more business opportunities for women and supporting disadvantaged women in countries around the world.

Cyndi has forged new opportunities for universities and colleges with internal and external stakeholders, using her business and financial acumen to spearhead successful joint ventures and drive unprecedented revenue growth. She leverages intercultural acuity and cultural sensitivity to lead international business development and international trade missions. Cyndi is committed to quality education and exceptional team development in the international education sector.