World Refugee Day 2026

In recognition of World Refugee Day, this episode of The Immigration Conversation explores refugee labor mobility and the role of the Thrive Coalition in supporting employment-based pathways for skilled refugees and displaced professionals.

Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi is joined by Lara Dyer, Chief Solutions Officer (Americas) at Talent Beyond Boundaries; Stuart Szabo, CEO and Co-founder of Beacon; and Jessica Turner, Co-founder and CEO of ThriveON. Together, they discuss how the coalition brings together candidate sourcing, immigration strategy, financial readiness and settlement support to help employers hire internationally mobile talent.

The conversation outlines how the Thrive Coalition works as an end-to-end support model for Canadian employers, helping them navigate the practical steps involved in hiring skilled refugees and displaced professionals. The speakers discuss how each organization supports a different part of the mobility journey, from identifying and matching qualified candidates to addressing immigration requirements, financial planning and the realities of settling into a new community.

The episode also follows a composite family’s journey from Jordan to Hamilton, Ontario, illustrating how coordinated support can help connect displaced talent with employment opportunities in Canada. Through this example, the speakers highlight key considerations for employers, including credential recognition, immigration documentation, timing, financial stability, housing, school registration and community integration.