CIC Vancouver

Luthfi is a public policy expert, entrepreneur, and book author As President of the CIC Vancouver Chapter, he leads the development of strategic programs and events that engage local community and foster meaningful dialogue on global issues. Luthfi is the CEO of Meridian Gate Advisory, a geopolitical and strategy firm based in Vancouver. He also serves on the board of the Canada Indonesia Chamber of Commerce, where he supports initiatives that strengthen business ties between Canada and Indonesia. His experiences living in Indonesia during the Asian financial crisis and witnessing the country’s transition to democracy shaped his dedication to public policy and international affairs. Luthfi is the co-author of the book ‘Understanding Human Security and Climate Change,’ and Editor of the Human Rights of Climate Change. Luthfi is a frequent contributor to media outlets and think tanks, and has lectured widely on Indonesian and ASEAN politics, as well as the intersection of climate change and security.

Gabriele is driven by her curiosity. While this curiosity is not limited to global affairs, she is also fascinated by ancient history, living things, human nature, and what lies beyond the cosmos. This curiosity led to her becoming a biologist. Holding a M.Sc. from the University of Toronto, she currently works in fishery management at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Gabriele is eager to bring her broad experiences working with diverse groups internationally, in addition to her insatiable curiosity to CIC Vancouver. She believes that engaging different perspectives in discussion on key issues helps foster meaningful change and essential community awareness. When Gabriele is not down a Wikipedia rabbit hole, you are likely to find her exploring the outdoors, painting, or trying every restaurant in the city.

Erin is a Senior Program Manager at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), where she provides editorial support to the research team and oversees programs for young professionals in Canada and the Indo-Pacific. Prior to joining APF Canada, Erin supported the Canadian Member Committee of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP), a regional Track II security dialogue. In that role, she assisted with two Canada co-chaired study groups: one on regional peacekeeping and peace-building, and another on the responsibility to protect (R2P). She also was Associate Editor (with Brian Job) of CSCAP’s annual flagship publication, The CSCAP Regional Security Outlook. Erin has worked as an Editorial Assistant at Pacific Affairs and in the field of immigrant and refugee education in Minnesota and California. Erin has a master’s degree in Asia Pacific Policy Studies from the University of British Columbia and a master’s degree in International Relations from Boston University.

Christy is a communications consultant working primarily with public sector organizations, with experience in research and community engagement. She holds a B.A. (Honours) in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

Her topics of interest include political communication, media literacy, polarization, and civic participation, particularly the relationship between language and power. At CIC, she hopes to create space for informed dialogue on complex international issues, challenge assumptions, and encourage nuanced conversations about Canada’s role in the world.

Yvonne is a journalist covering stories at the intersection of business, technology and society with an eye on China and Russia. She currently writes about AI, tech policy and the innovation economy as the Financial Post’s dedicated technology reporter. Her work can be found in Fortune, Forbes, Rest of World, The Logic, The Walrus, Maclean’s, and more. Yvonne has worked, studied, and reported from cities across Asia including Hong Kong, Beijing, Phnom Penh, Kathmandu, as well as the Russian Far East. She is passionate about peacebuilding, climate resilience and inclusive finance, and speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Russian. Yvonne is a recipient of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Media Fellowship and is a member of BIPOC photojournalist collective Room Up Front.

Mei Terasawa is a Project Coordinator at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), where she supports Canada-Asia fellowship programs and conducts research on political and economic developments in Northeast Asia. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a BA in International Relations and a Minor in Economics. Prior to joining APF Canada, Mei worked as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Japanese Research at UBC. Driven by her passion for international relations, she hopes to contribute to CIC as an Event Manager by organizing events that deepen public understanding of Canada’s role in the world.

Tyler Yan is a seasoned technology professional who has helped private and public organizations in North America, Europe, and Asia to strategically build and expand their firms through digital solutions. In this capacity, Tyler has also assisted various organizations in improving their accounting and financial practices. Born and raised in Vancouver, he had the opportunity to work and volunteer abroad, and ultimately spark an appreciation for international affairs. Tyler looks forward to ensuring the prolonged financial health of our council through transparent and responsible fiscal planning.

Christian Browne is a Policy Advisor, International Engagement and Multilateral Institutions at Housing, Infrastructure & Communities Canada (HICC), a department of the Government of Canada. His work spans infrastructure finance policy and international engagement, with a focus on how the public sector delivers major projects and how Canada attracts private capital to its infrastructure sector. In this role, he works across key multilateral forums, including the G7, G20, OECD, and World Bank, examining how governments can better attract and deploy private capital for infrastructure and advancing foreign direct investment into Canada’s infrastructure sector.

Prior to joining the federal public service, Christian was a Senior Associate in the Global Infrastructure Advisory practice at KPMG Canada, where he advised on major infrastructure projects across Canada and internationally. His policy work extends into the research sphere through his Associate Fellowship at the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy (CISES), a London, UK-based think tank focused on geopolitics and economic policy. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Honours) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Lancashire.

Edmund is an incoming fourth-year student pursuing a BA in International Relations and a Master of Management dual degree at the University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business. As Marketing and Communications Assistant for CIC Vancouver, he supports the chapter’s digital outreach and event promotion, helping connect students, professionals, and the wider public with conversations on Canadian foreign policy and global affairs.

He is also a Trade Compliance Analyst with the G20 Research Group, where he analyzes China and Japan’s trade and investment policy commitments. Additionally, as an International Program Assistant at the UBC Office of Global Engagement, he supports the Vancouver Summer Program by coordinating marketing, logistics, and programming for international students. His experience studying abroad at the University of Tokyo and volunteering as an Economics Journalist for the Todai Shimbun shaped his interest in diplomacy, trade, and economic policy across the Asia-Pacific region.

Pavit is a Master of Public Policy and Global Affairs student at the University of British Columbia, specializing in international affairs, governance, and global security. Her research examines how institutions address complex global challenges and how policy frameworks shape decision-making across national contexts. She is currently conducting comparative research on nuclear energy governance in Canada and France, focusing on regulation, climate policy, and state capacity. In addition to her academic work, Pavit has contributed to student governance and policy initiatives, deepening her commitment to public engagement and international policy dialogue. She looks forward to supporting CIC Vancouver’s communications and helping make discussions on global issues more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

Kaya Dupuis is an Honours BA graduate in Political Science, and a JCURA Scholar from the University of Victoria. She is a Junior Research Fellow at the NATO Association of Canada, and is also the Vice President of the NAOC’s youth wing, NATO Youth Canada. Her other engagements include the Canadian Security Association, where she served a two year term as a provincial board member. Kaya’s work specializes in international security, defence and international law.