Dr. Natalia Bussard is the Program Manager for Science, Environment, and Health Sciences Co-operative Education at Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, Canada), overseeing approximately 2,000 annual industry placements. Natalia led accreditation processes for interdisciplinary work-integrated learning programs across Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, Environment, Business, and Arts faculties. With over 20 years of leadership in post-secondary education, she specializes in strategic program development, career readiness initiatives, and cultivating academia-industry partnerships through mentoring programs and employer networks. Her doctoral research at The University of British Columbia investigates transformative learning frameworks in plurilingual contexts, exploring how plurilingual practices shape identity reconstruction, intercultural communication, and global citizenship development.
A fluent speaker of six languages, Dr. Bussard bridges linguistic and cultural divides through international academic collaborations, emphasizing inclusive pedagogy and equitable access in learning environments. Her leadership integrates transformative learning principles into career development programming, fostering intercultural competence through alumni networks, interdisciplinary curriculum alignment, and stakeholder engagement strategies. This evidence-based approach harmonizes academic preparation with evolving workforce demands, creating ecosystems where diverse learners thrive through collaborative models that prioritize both professional growth and intercultural understanding.