| Job Title: | Founder and Principal Consultant |
| Employer: | CHB International Associates |
| Grad Year: | 2000 |
| Degree(s): | M.A. Public Administration |
| Major(s): | Public Policy and Administration |
| Expertise: | International Affairs, Non-Profit, Project Management, Public Service |
| Industry: | International Affairs |
What makes you a good mentor?
My diverse experiences in international work have made for a rich and interesting career which I continue to be passionate about. I am also committed to helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Whether needing support in evaluating options for international affairs or development careers, constructive feedback on CV development and personal marketing, or links to key professional networks in the field, I have experience in these and other areas of importance to students and young professionals. I remember how important having a caring mentor was, particularly at the inception of my career. Now I want to give back.
About Christopher Braeuel
Chris is an international development practitioner and leader with 25 years’ experience in multilateral negotiations and diplomacy, global project and program management, policy development and implementation, and organizational stewardship in both the public and not-for-profit sectors. He is the Founder of CHB International Associates, and international affairs and development consultancy, and previously served as Executive Director for Veterinarians without Borders Canada and as Country Director and Project Manager with Cuso International in Nigeria and Tanzania respectively. In 2010, he was First Secretary for Development with the Canadian Embassy in Kabul where he led and managed Canada’s support to Afghanistan’s basic education sector. Prior to this, Chris represented Canada in the United Nations as the National Focal Point, Chief Adviser and Bureau Vice-President to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Previously, he was Senior Adviser and Negotiator with the Canadian team under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol.
Prior to embarking on his international career, Chris was actively involved in the creation of the Canada Research Chairs program in 2000 and the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2004. He is a recipient of the Queen’s Operational Service Medal (South West Asia), the Governor General’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteers, the Carleton University Humanitarian Alumni Award, and the Up With People International Alumni Association’s Everyday Hero Award. In 2018, Chris established Carleton’s first permanent endowment fund to help eligible students of the Bachelor of Global and International Studies program, who have demonstrated financial need, with support for their international experience. In 2020, he created the Ottawa Community Social Innovation Student Fund through Algonquin College to enable students to contribute their skills and talents in their chosen field to work towards bridging the technological gap that often exists in social sector organizations in our community. In 2022 through Nipissing University, Chris founded the Mino-Bimaadiziwan Cultural Development Bursary designed to support Indigenous student cultural revitalization as a way of creating space where balance can be pursued through Indigenous ways of knowing and learning.
Chris has lectured and presented on international development issues around the world and has chaired various multinational panels and working groups. He has also actively served on the boards of various local and international organizations including the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization; the CanUgan Disability Support Project; the Leadership Council for McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development; the Society for International Development Governing Council; One World Arts; and the Institute of Public Administration in Canada, among others. He holds a combined BA Honors in History and Public Management, an MA in Public Policy and Administration, and is a Certified Coach Practitioner for young professionals in the field of international affairs. Through field work, volunteering and exploration, Chris has experienced over 90 countries across 6 continents and speaks French, German, Spanish and Swahili.