A group of recent graduates from the College’s Business and Environment division are ready for their NC comeback as featured alumni during International Education Week.
On November 20, students, staff and the public will have a chance to hear from six international alumni panelists at a virtual Business and Environment International Alumni Panel event
Organized in partnership with Alumni Relations and the College’s Institute for Global Education and Training, the virtual event presents an opportunity for participants to connect with recent graduates from the division and hear about their experiences as international students and as they embarked upon their careers after graduation.
The virtual event will begin at noon with introductions from Director of Alumni Relations, Jana Boniferro, followed by a discussion among the panelists to be moderated by Dean, Environment and Horticulture, Evan DiValentino. Panelists will be asked to weigh in on topics relating to their experience as an international student. The event will then conclude with a short question-and-answer session.
“International Education Week is a time to celebrate our diverse community at NC. I’m looking forward to talking with our six incredible alumni/panelists – graduates from five different programs,” said DiValentino. “By sharing their experiences, we hope to honour their achievements and provide insights and inspiration to current and future students.
“Their journeys – from another part of the world, to NC student, to working professional – highlight the global perspectives that NC fosters.”
The panelists include (view ‘Meet the Panelists’ below for more info):
- Raul Guerrero, Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advisor, Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (Environmental Management and Assessment, 2024);
- Suleiman Harunany, Finance Project Officer, NC (Business Administration – Accounting, 2024);
- Lebert Omac, Forestry and Environmental Planning Intern, Niagara Region (Ecosystem Restoration, 2023, and Environmental Management and Assessment, 2024);
- Channa Ratha, Administrative Assistant, NC (Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resources, 2023);
- Keisha Rock, Program Assistant, NC (Human Resources Management, 2024); and
- MJ Torres, Donor Services Coordinator, World Wildlife Fund Canada (Environmental Technician, 2020, and Environmental Management and Assessment, 2020).
Students, staff and the public are welcome to attend the event, to be held via Zoom, free of charge.
Join the virtual event on November 20, from noon to 1 p.m. at: us02web.zoom.us/j/88065054198
Meet the panelists
Raul Guerrero
Raul Guerrero graduated from NC’s Environmental Management and Assessment program in 2024.
Raul Guerrero has been regularly engaged in graduate-level studies in different global institutions, such as the Federal University of Bahia in Brazil and Spain, specializing in environmental and water engineering. In 2024, he completed post graduate certificate in Environmental Management and Assessment at NC.
His career has been mainly focused on the humanitarian world, supporting the implementation of water and sanitation projects throughout the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently, he is based in Calgary, Alberta working as a Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advisor for a non-profit and engineering consulting firm, Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technologies (CAWST). In this role, Guerrero provides technical consulting support and capacity building for vulnerable communities abroad.
Suleiman Harunany
Suleiman Harunany graduated from Business Administration – Accounting in 2024.
Suleiman Harunany is a Finance Project Officer at NC’s Institute of Global Education and Training, managing financial reporting and compliance for multiple projects on a global scale. A proud NC alumnus with an advanced diploma in Business Administration in Accounting (spring 2024), he began working with the College as a Co-op Accounting Assistant and later a Project Officer in Global Education Projects, where he gained extensive financial and operational experience. Harunany brings a process-driven approach and collaborative mindset to his work, constantly seeking ways to improve workflows and support the success of global initiatives.
Lebert Omac
Lebert Omac graduated from Ecosystem Restoration in 2023 and Environmental Management and Assessment in 2024.
As a previously registered professional forester in the Philippines, Lebert Omac relocated to Canada in 2022. At NC, he successfully completed the Environmental Management and Assessment (2023) and Ecosystem Restoration Graduate programs (2024), while employed with the College’s Office of Sustainability. Currently, Omac is working with the Niagara Region as a Forestry and Environmental Planning Intern.
Channa Ratha
Channa Ratha graduated from Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resources in 2023.
Channa Ratha is a graduate of NC’ Bachelor of Business Administration – Human Resources program. She first joined NC as a student in the Culinary Innovation program in 2018 before discovering her true passion in human resources.
During her final year in the BBA program, Ratha met her mentor, Dr. Holly Catalfamo, who introduced Ratha to the Global Education and Training team. Starting as an HRM intern with the Global Customized Training and Consulting team, Ratha progressed to an interim administrative assistant role and has since transitioned to a full-time Administrative Assistant within the International Student Services department.
Keisha Rock
Keisha Rock graduated from Human Resources Management in 2024.
Keisha Rock is a Program Assistant who provides support to the Global Education and Training management team, collaborating on projects including Mentorship Matters @Niagara International, the Going Global Newsletter, Global Learning Lounges and the Launch of The Institute for Global Education and Training.
Rock has more than 16 years of experience in education. She is an author and a certified speaker, trainer and coach with the John Maxwell Team. She holds a BSc in Psychology, a diploma in Education, a Certificate in Advanced Counselling and a post graduate certificate in Human Resources Management which she completed at NC.
MJ Torres
MJ Torres graduated from Environmental Technician, and Environmental Management and Assessment in 2020.
MJ Torres completed NC’s Environmental Technician diploma program and the Environmental Management and Assessment post-graduate program in 2020. For the past two years, Torres has been working at World Wildlife Fund Canada in the Operations Department as Donor Services Coordinator.
