Irena Struk

Experience

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  Homestay Alberta Ltd.

  May 1998 - Jan 2001

  Host Interviewer

  • Connected international students with homestay opportunities. • Screened host families over the phone and visited potential residences to determine if they were a suitable match for international students.• Welcomed international students at the airport and provided orientation.• Dealt with issues that arose between host families, international students and their parents.

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  Millwoods Welcome Centre for Immigrants

  Oct 2002 - Jun 2005

  Youth Coordinator

  • Organized, planned and implemented a Homework Club for immigrant youth in three Edmonton Catholic schools; created promotional materials later featured in the Edmonton Journal (January 12, 2003), The Edmonton Examiner (May 21, 2003) • Monitored the effectiveness of program delivery• Recruited, trained, supported and evaluated volunteer tutors to work one-on-one or in small groups with elementary, junior high and high school students• Organized and facilitated presentations for ESL students and teachers as well as invited guest speakers for high school students to present them with further education, training and employment opportunities• Provided leadership and facilitation for the Youth In Transition Conference as part of the Supporting Culturally Diverse Youth in the Southside of Edmonton Program• Secured funding and sponsors to implement field trips for Summer Youth Program Show less

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  Konektus Ltd.

  Oct 2005 - Jan 2009

  Owner

  Established and managed an employment agency for Foreign Skilled Professional Workers•Hired and trained Employment and Settlement Counsellors in Canada and in select Eastern European Countries•Negotiated, signed and maintained contracts and all accompanying paper work for these companies •Raised employer’s awareness concerning temporary foreign workers’ cultural, social and economical diversity and challenges they could face after moving to a new country in terms of adaption, language issues, homesickness and other psychological issues•Raised potential employees’ awareness about Alberta’s advantages, traditions and common practices accenting the differences between their native customs and these in Alberta. •Provided educational sessions with Albertan employers and their existing employees establish the positive aspects of Temporary Foreign Workers and their role in our economy. •Developed and operated database •Organized and maintained English language classes overseas in order to help potential temporary workers to undertake language assessment and training classes while still in their country of origin•Organized and administered workshops and presentations about Canada and Edmonton in order to enable newcomers to gain a realistic understanding of the Canadian life, cultural diversity and working environment•Facilitated getting access to language, education and training courses•Built relationships with companies, other recruiting companies•Built relationships with government and companies in Eastern Europe. •Built and managed relationships with employers, communities, international partners Show less

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  Music World Balkan Party

  Feb 2009 - Apr 2023

  Independent Business Owner

  • Plan and execute concerts, parties and theatre productions for former Yugoslavian and Ukrainian communities• Develop relationships with business owners and various community stakeholders• Find sponsors for events and maintain relationships• Develop and manage social media to promote events • Work closely with managers across Canada, USA, Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia • Work on securing work permits and entry visas for performers• Find and work closely with media from oversees to timely respond to media inquiries Show less

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  Edmonton Catholic Schools

  Mar 2010 - Mar 2012

  District OST Coordinator

  •Networked with community stakeholders around program needs and made recommendations for partnerships •Consulted with schools to gauge involvement in program delivery, and with external service providers to gauge expectations for support from host schools •Collaborated with other initiatives in the city to establish consistent policy development, program planning, and data collection targets. •Built successful partnerships with grassroots organizations as well as medium and large corporations•Did extensive research about OST best practice and analyzed current issues across Canada and the United States•Part of a working group for policy and procedures about the Education system and Out of School Time•Presentations to Assistant Superintendents, District principals, teachers and staff about OST programs and benefits•Presentation and PD to community agencies and partners•Evaluation of the programs •Solving problems and dealing with sensitive issues that arise with community agencies and schools Show less

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  Government of Alberta

  Apr 2012 - Nov 2016

  Economic Immigration Specialist

  •Engage and collaborate with the domestic and international stakeholders and partners to ensure Alberta’s immigration programs and services meet the needs of potential newcomers, employers and communities.• Develop, create relationships and provide expert advice to internal and external stakeholders. • Prepare and deliver in-person presentations and webinars to Temporary Foreign Workers, employers and internal and external stakeholders.• Provide support and advice to employers, Temporary Foreign Workers, and stakeholders over the phone, email, in person, webinars and on line meetings.• Lead the Temporary Foreign Worker Engagement Strategy; Express Entry promotion to Temporary Foreign Workers, Employers and Foreign Nationals.• Write briefing notes, action requests, memo and reports to the Minister. • Lead the group of volunteers across the Ministry for United Way campaign, raised, tracked, reported and exceeded the goal of $80, 000 in two months. Show less

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  Utilities Consumer Advocate

  Nov 2016 - now

  Senior Consumer Education and Engagement Specialist

  • Research and identify engagement and outreach opportunities• Develop relationships with stakeholder organizations in Edmonton and northern Alberta• Build relationships with Indigenous communities, immigrants, seniors, low income Albertans and young movers and agencies • Develop and deliver dynamic and engaging public presentations, including workshops and webinars, for diverse range of audiences and stakeholder groups• Register, plan and attend trade shows to increase UCA profile• Ensure presentations and other products align with UCA visual identity and Alberta Government brand through close coordination with Service Alberta Communications• Research, order and evaluate promotional products that increase UCA visibility• Lead development and implementation of the comprehensive consumer and stakeholder engagement plan• Develop comprehensive stakeholder database• Evaluate effectiveness of engagement strategies and explore new, unique options• Lead teambuilding engagement and relationship building to increase morale and develop high performing team including staff in Calgary office• Supervise a junior role in Calgary Show less

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  Struck by Travel

  Apr 2023 - now

  Independent Travel Agent

  Struck by Travel is a full service Travel Agency! We are happy to take the stress out of planning your vacation! We specialize in Group and Guided Tours, Cruises, All-inclusive Vacations, Destination weddings and honeymoons and Europe!We are here to get you there!