TORONTO, Jan. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After almost 18 years as head of World Education Services’ Canadian Office, Tim Owen announced his retirement, effective in May of 2018. Owen will continue to serve as Director of WES Canada and Deputy Director of World Education Services (WES) until a successor is named and the transition is complete.
“It is with very mixed emotions that I make this announcement,” said Owen. “By the time I leave, it will have been almost two decades since WES signed its first contract with the government of Ontario, and I became the first director of the Canadian office. It has been an incredible journey. All these years later, it remains an exciting time to be at WES, but it is time to open a new chapter in my life.”
Founded in 1974 in New York City, WES has provided evaluations to more than one million people worldwide. Since 2000, Owen has overseen the organization’s Canadian office, leading it from its early days as a start up to its current position as the top Canadian credential evaluation provider, handling over 200,000 applications a year. During that time, he developed key partnerships with the Government of Canada, Ontario Universities, and professional licensing bodies across Canada. He also helped to launch and expand the WES Global Talent Bridge program, an innovative initiative to help skilled immigrants successfully integrate into the Canadian and U.S. workforces.
“Tim’s professionalism, vision, and inclusive leadership style have helped WES achieve great success,” said Mariam Assefa, Executive Director of WES. “He’s been a generous colleague and a true friend. We will miss his quiet and reassuring presence.”
Owen joined WES having already built a long career in international education and the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining WES, he served as Associate Executive Director of COSTI, a Toronto based not-for-profit agency. He had previously worked at the International Council for Adult Education, the Canadian Organization for Development through Education, and the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, focused in each case on programs involving international development, international students, and cross-cultural learning in all corners of the globe.
Owen serves on multiple professional boards and committees, including the Conference Board of Canada’s Leaders Roundtable on Immigration, the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council, the International Metropolis Project, and more.
The WES board of trustees has retained Caldwell Partners, a nationally recognized executive recruiting firm, to advise the board on potential candidates.
About WES
World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit organization, founded in 1974 and dedicated to helping individuals achieve their higher education and professional goals. WES evaluates and advocates for the recognition of international education qualifications in the U.S. and Canada. WES delivers credential evaluations recognized by 2,500 academic, business, and governmental institutions to more than one million people worldwide.
