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As Director, NSCC International, Katie provides leadership for internationalization at the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

Katie began her international career as a World University Service of Canada Volunteer in Malawi from 1993-1995, working as a project officer for Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief. During that time she assisted two Canadian medical students to set up a global health studies elective in Malawi and was inspired by the transformative potential of international learning and partnerships to foster global citizenship. Since that time Katie has worked in the field of international education with Dalhousie University, Saint Mary's University, the Dalhousie Medical School and the Nova Scotia Community College and with partner organizations around the world.

In addition, Katie has served on numerous local, national and international organizations and associations committed to promoting and enhancing international learning. Katie is a member of the International Advisory Committee to Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), Co-Chair of the NAFSA Canada Member Interest Group, Chair of the EduNova Operations Committee and a past Chair of the EduNova Board of Directors, and served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) from 2013 – 2018.

Katie was raised in a military family moving across Canada and the USA 11 times in 17 years before attending the University of King’s College (Bachelor of Arts – Honours), the Institut de Touraine (French language) and Dalhousie University (Master of Arts – Political Science – International).

Katie has participated in the Association of Canadian Community Colleges National Executive Leadership Institute for Potential Vice-Presidents (VP- NELI) and the CICan International Leadership Institute. In 2019 Katie was awarded the CBIE Excellence Award for Leadership in International Education, and in 2005 she was awarded Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine Community of Scholars Award for Professional Excellence.

In 2023, NSCC was awarded the CICan Gold Award for Global Engagement.

Zoran Kondali is Manager of NSCC International. In this position, Zoran is responsible for developing and managing a variety of international activities including project procurement, project management and student and staff exchanges. Zoran has extensive experience in international project management and project proposal preparation. His ability to work with partners and clients from various sectors, including educational institutions, private sector entities, government and non-governmental organizations has contributed to NSCC's success in many initiatives and projects.

Zoran has been associated with NSCC International since 2004 and, prior to this appointment, Zoran served for 8 years as Project Manager of the Saint Mary’s University International Activities Office. In 2009, he was appointed the designated NSCC project manager for technical assistance related partnerships and initiatives.

His educational background includes a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Sarajevo, an advanced business diploma from NSCC, and a Master of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Zoran has enjoyed considerable learning through many international experiences gained through living and working in a number of countries in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and South America.

Zoran is a recipient of the 2017 President’s Award of the Canadian Bureau for International Education.

Ashley has worked in international education for over 20 years in the areas of study abroad, international project management, services and supports for international students and language training. She loves developing and implementing programs that provide the opportunity for NSCC students and employees to experience and learn about other cultures – whether here in Nova Scotia or around the world. Ashley works with departments and campuses across the Nova Scotia Community College to improve and create programs and services for international and immigrant students. She has particular interest in supporting students in career development, community-building, settlement, and mentorship.

Prior to joining NSCC, Ashley served as the Manager of Student Programs at Dalhousie University’s International Health Office. She has also worked with local, national and international non-governmental organizations, taught English as a second language in Canada and overseas, participated in an international internship program in the Maldives and participated in study abroad programs in Cuba and Spain.

Ashley received her undergraduate degree at Dalhousie University, her Master of Education degree from Mount Saint Vincent University and earned her NSCC Community College Education Diploma in 2015.

Kellie was educated at the University of King's College in Halifax and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Political Science, followed by a diploma in Communications from the Atlantic Media Institute. After working in the film and television industry in a variety of roles, including project coordination and marketing and communications, Kellie moved to Vietnam and worked as a copy editor for a daily newspaper, through an internship sponsored by the Canadian Government and Saint Mary's University. While in South East Asia, she produced a teaching documentary on mangrove ecosystems in Vietnam, Cambodia and China for the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) funded project "Community Based Conservation Management in China and Vietnam".

After returning from Vietnam in 2001, Kellie started a business producing marketing videos mostly for educational institutions and community and governmental organizations. Her work as a videographer and producer enabled her to travel to a variety of locations including Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Tanzania, working mostly on international education projects.

In her role with NSCC International since 2008, Kellie has coordinated several International Learning Programs for students and faculty. Kellie manages all marketing and communications of international activities at NSCC and is responsible for NSCC International’s social media outreach.

In 2015, one of NSCC's International Learning Programs for students, the Mikumi Solar Project, was awarded the Canadian Bureaux for International Education (CBIE) Panorama Award for Excellence in International Education.

In 2017, Kellie won the CBIE President’s Award for her work and collaboration with colleague Zoran Kondali on international student projects and Technical Assistance Projects.

Kellie continues to combine her passions of international education and marketing through speaking engagements around the world at conferences such as CBIE, NAFSA and the European Association of International Education. Her work on these topics was recently published in the Times Higher Education magazine.

Lisa Matheson offers operational support to the International and Applied Research departments since 2018. She brings over 10 years of administrative experience to the table. Being relatively new to the International department, she enjoys learning about the many international learning opportunities that are available to NSCC students and staff that helps strengthen NSCC's vision to transform lives and communities through learning. She looks forward to participating in an international initiative in the near future.

Lisa attended NSCC and obtained two diplomas in Business Information & Technology and Office Administration, which resulted in her being awarded the NSCC Gold Medal. Upon graduation, Lisa began working at NSCC, which resulted in her moving from our NSCC Pictou campus to the IT campus.

Each year, the International department hires summer students to help assist in the planning and implementation of integral activities and events to help support our international students. Lisa plays an integral role in the onboard training of the students to help familiarize them with the department's role and vision at NSCC. This allows her to share her knowledge, but it also allows her to learn about different cultures from our student’s perspective.

Ilaria is the Project Coordinator at NSCC International and provides support to the Manager, NSCC International (Technical Assistance Projects) and Manager of International Learning (Outbound Mobility).

Having lived in several European countries as well as Australia prior moving to Canada, Ilaria developed a passion for supporting international students. Prior to joining NSCC International, Ilaria provided incoming international students with housing and arrival supports services. She also served as the Student Programs Coordinator at Saint Mary's University, often travelling to Europe and South America to recruit students, and as a Student Development Coordinator for Dalhousie University, providing career advice to international co-op students.

Ilaria was educated at the Università degli Studi of Turin, Italy, where she received a Bachelor of Cross-cultural Communication in 2009. As part of her degree, she also studied at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany. Ilaria has a Master’s degree in Gender studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland (2014). Ilaria completed her NSCC Certificate in Adult Education, Student Development in 2022.