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David Manicom
Special Advisor, Resettlement and Complementary Pathways, at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Professional Background
David Manicom began his impressive career dedicated to public service and humanitarian efforts, culminating in his role as a Special Advisor for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in June 2019. His responsibilities include leading the implementation of UNHCR's strategic initiatives concerning resettlement and complementary pathways, a critical component in fostering the integration of displaced individuals globally. This prestigious role was undertaken on loan from the Canadian government, emphasizing David's commitment to making a substantial global impact regarding refugee assistance.
Before joining the UNHCR, David played a significant role within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where he was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) in 2017 for the newly established Settlement and Integration Sector. In this capacity, David was highly influential in developing policies to support the settlement and successful integration of newcomers in Canada. His strategic oversight extended to ensuring the effective management and delivery of funding agreements associated with a wide array of programs designed to assist immigrants and refugees in adapting to Canadian society seamlessly.
Additionally, David’s previous role as the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister for Strategic and Program Policy at IRCC allowed him to shape policies and programs addressing crucial issues related to admissibility and refugee matters. His comprehensive experience within various capacities at IRCC has underpinned his understanding of not only immigration policies but also the practical needs of individuals affected by these policies.
David’s career as a Foreign Service officer has taken him across the globe. He has served in prominent cities such as Moscow, Islamabad, Beijing, Geneva, and New Delhi. Each of these roles contributed to his understanding of international immigration policies and human rights concerns, enriching his capacity to impact positively on both a national and global scale.
Education and Achievements
David’s academic achievements reflect his profound understanding of language and literature which has greatly enhanced his career in public service. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in English Language and Literature from McGill University, where his scholarly pursuits laid the foundation for his critical thinking and analytical skills. Additionally, he earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Toronto, further solidifying his academic credentials.
In addition to his impressive governmental career, David is also a prolific author. He has published nine books encompassing poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. His literary works have been recognized through nominations for esteemed awards such as the Governor-General’s Award for Literature, as well as receiving accolades from the Quebec Writer’s Federation in both poetry and non-fiction categories. David's contributions to the literary world reflect not only his intellectual prowess but also his ability to connect with diverse audiences through narrative and verse.
Achievements
David Manicom's career is punctuated by numerous significant achievements that highlight his dedication to public service, policy development, and the arts. His leadership at UNHCR during such a pivotal time for global refugees showcases his commitment to addressing vital humanitarian issues. Through the Three-Year Strategy on Resettlement and Complementary Pathways, he has laid the groundwork for innovative approaches to refugee resettlement, underscoring his role in enhancing the lives of those displaced by conflict and persecution.
At IRCC, David's guidance and strategic vision have propelled the settlement and integration of newcomers in Canada to new heights. His rigorous management of programs ensures that immigrants and refugees receive the support they need to flourish within Canadian communities. His ability to navigate the complexities of immigration policy while advocating for effective change has made a measurable difference in the lives of many.
Through his literary journey, David has captured the essence of the human experience, reflecting on themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. His recognition in the literary community is a testament to his diverse skill set that spans public service and creative expression, enriching Canada’s cultural and social landscape.
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Yes, Clay offers extensive integration capabilities. Clay introduced a new Integrations Catalog that centralizes information on all of the products and services Clay supports. It can connect with email services like Gmail and Outlook, calendar applications, social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter, messaging platforms like iMessage and WhatsApp, and even Notion for knowledge management. Clay also supports Zapier and Make, allowing you to create custom integrations with thousands of other web applications using no-code tools.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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Clay's AI capabilities are at the forefront of personal CRM innovation. Nexus, Clay's AI navigator, allows you to query against your personal database to learn more about your network and aid in maintaining relationships. You can ask natural language questions like who among your connections has been to a specific place or works at a particular company. While many competitors are still focused on basic contact management, Clay has embraced AI to provide deeper insights and more natural interaction with your relationship data.
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