Sherif El Tawil
Senior Director, Programs and Global Operations @DMZ
Signup · Get unlimited contacts
WORK HISTORY
Senior Director, Programs and Global Operations @DMZ
Leading a large Toronto-based team, 15+ international leaders across 10 countries, and 40+ fractional contractors to deliver DMZ’s global programs and partnerships, advancing TMU’s innovation and institutional priorities across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Advise senior university leadership on growth strategy, risk, and international expansion, translating high-level goals into OKRs, operating models, and measurable outcomes for founder support, revenue, and impact. Build and chair multi-sector consortiums with governments, development banks, municipalities, corporates, and community organizations, mobilizing over $50M to tackle housing, mobility, pandemic recovery, and economic inclusion while strengthening the university’s external relationships. Represent TMU/DMZ on boards, contributing to governance, accountability, and international expansion, and acting as a bridge between institutional strategy and ecosystem execution. Partner with organizations such as Toronto Pearson Airport and the TTC to design and govern complex technology pilots in critical infrastructure environments, aligning legal, operational, and reputational considerations with innovation goals.
EDUCATION
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Design and Innovation Management Certificate, Engineering
York University - Osgoode Hall Law School
Master of Laws - LLM
Toronto Metropolitan University
Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Industrial Engineering
ABOUT SHERIF EL TAWIL
Strategic executive and ecosystem builder with 12+ years of experience in higher education and innovation, leading large, cross-functional teams and multi-million-dollar portfolios across Canada and 15+ countries. Currently Senior Director, Programs & Global Operations at DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University), overseeing a large Toronto-based team, international leads, and dozens of fractional experts to deliver institution-building initiatives that connect universities, governments, corporates, and communities. Industrial engineer with a Master of Laws (LLM) in governance, skilled at moving from strategy to execution: advising senior leaders, shaping growth frameworks, building OKR-driven operating models, and managing risk, finance, and legal considerations for complex, multi-stakeholder work. Experience includes launching global innovation zones, designing revenue-generating partnerships, and representing the university on international boards and startup boards. Deeply committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, with a track record designing and leading Black entrepreneurship programs and national women-in-entrepreneurship initiatives delivered with partners such as YMCA, American Express Foundation, and Unilever, aligned with frameworks like the Provincial Anti-Black Racism Strategy. Work has mobilized over $50M from federal and provincial agencies, municipalities, development banks, and corporate funders to support underrepresented founders and community-focused innovation.
This profile is compiled from publicly available professional sources. Unifers is not affiliated with or endorsed by LinkedIn. Request removal of this profile.