Ilham Punjani

Biography:

Ilham Punjani is Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at International Business University (IBU), where she provides executive leadership across institutional strategy, strategic growth, internationalization, transformation and major institutional initiatives.

With more than two decades of international experience across higher education and the private sector, Ilham has worked across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, leading business expansion and market development across 26 international markets. At IBU, she advances the University’s growth strategy, including international expansion, transnational education, strategic academic partnerships, institutional development and international accreditation initiatives.

Prior to IBU, Ilham served as the Chief of Business Transformation, Strategy and Sustainability at Algoma University and the Director of Entrepreneurship, leading the accelerator and business incubator at Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Ivey Business School, Western University. 

Ilham holds a bunch of professional designations including Chartered Marketer (CMktr – UK), Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM – UK), Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA – UK), Chartered Global Management Accountant (AICPA – USA), Project Management Professional (PMP – USA), and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (IASSC – USA). A lifelong learner, she has also completed professional and executive education in ethical marketing through the Canadian Marketing Association and in digital marketing, client engagement strategy, and media planning through Columbia Business School.

At IBU, her focus is on positioning the University for its next stage of growth — strengthening its presence across Canada, expanding its international reach, advancing international accreditation and recognition, and building the institutional capabilities required for sustainable long-term growth.