Meet
Abbas
Sumar
Principal + Founder
My Story
It all starts somewhere.
I wandered into sustainable development by happenstance. For several years, I explored opportunities to introduce ethically oriented financial services in Canada. The market was still at an early stage with limited prospects for immediate impact.
An opportunity to serve as a legislative aide on Canada’s parliament hill emerged with an up-and-coming member of parliament focused of global trade.
The opportunity, while short on time was long on lessons and insights to guide the path forward.
From that point on, it’s been an adventure, on different continents, cultivating partnerships, enabling growth, and making a lasting impact.
Career Highlights
- Directing and managing a TVET institution’s global growth strategy, expanding its footprint in the Americas, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
- Managing the Firm’s competitive tendering practice resulting in project wins in the Americas, the Caribbean and Asia aligned to its capabilities.
- Directing global education consultancies, working with partners in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to create platforms for knowledge exchange.
- Developing and managing political engagement + media outreach in support of Canadian foreign policy, international trade + sustainable growth.
- Expanding a global trade and development organization’s global impact through new partnerships + deeper engagement with civil society, the private and public sectors.
- Leading the design and launch of multiple global campus establishment projects in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa through innovative design strategies, modelled on Canadian experience.
Professional Experience
2019 – Present
Principal + Founder, Sumar + Associates Ltd.
Founded and lead a global consultancy advising public, private, not‑for‑profit, and education clients on market entry, growth, and expansion in emerging markets. Deliver strategy, operating models, and business development, leading end‑to‑end deal execution, due diligence, and stakeholder engagement to design impact‑driven, technology‑enabled solutions across education, development, and economic growth sectors.
2024 – 2026
Dean, International Education, Durham College
Led the College’s international portfolio, overseeing recruitment, partnerships, mobility, and student success through a 15‑person team. Drove global growth and internationalization strategies, advising executives on market positioning and risk. Strengthened government and institutional partnerships, expanded ethical agent networks, and directed student services to support enrolment, retention, wellbeing, and regional integration.
2019 – 2024
Director, Goodman Global, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Held progressively senior roles leading global partnerships, programs, and sustainability integration. Developed multi‑sector partnerships supporting academic, executive, and experiential programs, driving enrolment diversification and revenue growth. Directed mobility and EFMD‑accredited programs, led virtual mobility expansion, supported accreditation and sustainability initiatives, and oversaw the Global Skills Opportunity program.
2013 – 2019
Associate Director, Global Strategy, Niagara College
Led international growth across recruitment, consulting, and campus development in 85+ countries, managing 500+ agreements. Secured consulting contracts and supported global campus launches. Directed end‑to‑end business development, due diligence, and regulatory approvals, while overseeing risk and compliance. Built institutional capacity through training in project design, procurement, and proposal development.
2011 – 2013
Business Development Manager, CBIE
Led international business development and marketing strategy, securing major projects across education reform, scholarships, capacity building, and training. Managed full pursuit lifecycle from opportunity identification to contract award, led high‑stakes proposals, and developed case studies and bid assets. Designed and delivered business development training for staff and consultants.
2010 – 2011
Business Development Officer, Agriteam Canada Consulting
Supported global development projects through partner development, opportunity identification, and proposal management for major donors. Managed end‑to‑end proposals with a strong success rate across multilateral and bilateral agencies. Produced knowledge products for executive decision‑making and delivered training on pipeline development, lead generation, and proposal quality.
2008 – 2009
Project Officer, Technical Cooperation Division, AUCC
Managed international higher education projects focused on capacity building in Africa and the Middle East. Coordinated multi‑stakeholder initiatives, including university development projects in Botswana and Uganda, leading research, agreement negotiations, and delivery of institutional assessments and development plans supporting post‑conflict reconstruction and system reform.
Special Legislative Assistant, Parliament of Canada
Supported the International Trade Shadow Minister on policy development, research, and parliamentary operations. Managed stakeholder engagement with constituents, government, and media, coordinated communications and advocacy initiatives, monitored policy developments, and resolved socio‑economic issues while supporting approvals, briefings, and office operations.