About the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation

Jennifer is the Executive Director of the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) and leads this network of over 70 organizations, institutions, and individuals in the international cooperation sector. As a member of the Inter-Council Network (ICN), Jennifer also collaborates with Canada’s eight Provincial and Regional Councils for International Cooperation to advance collective priorities for more than 350 diverse civil society organizations (CSOs) from across Canada. Prior to her work with ACIC, Jennifer held previous roles as a community organizer with the United Way and worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva. Jennifer holds a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of the South Pacific, a Bachelor’s in International Development from the University of Guelph, a diploma in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution from Chulalongkorn University, and a certificate in Feminist Leadership from the Coady Institute.

As ACIC's Operations Director, Lee-Anne leads the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for the organization and supports ACIC's finance, communications and grant-writing processes. Lee-Anne has worked in international cooperation and project management for 15+ years with large and small non-profits across Canada and internationally. She holds a Masters of Social Work from McGill and speaks English, French and Spanish. Lee-Anne loves reading, going to live music and hiking with her dog on Nova Scotia's beautiful trails.

Curious about the ways we speak of and strive for social justice, Raushni brings a love for connecting with and helping changemakers to her role as ACIC's Membership and Operations Manager. Holding a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media and Communications, Raushni has lived in India, and studied in the UK, before moving to Canada. Over the past decade, Raushni has worked on skill-development and entrepreneurship programs for rural youth, on supporting high-quality, policy-oriented, social-science research in developing and transition countries, with social-justice oriented organizations on their communications and branding strategy, helped highlight the stories of immigrant communities and local nonprofits, before joining ACIC and working on our membership training and public engagement activities. Outside of work, Raushni enjoys reading, writing, and is actively trying to reduce her phone-screen time to live a more mindful life.

Based between Halifax and PEI, Mateo works in communications and storytelling, supporting ACIC’s communications, public engagement, digital content, and efforts to connect members and communities across Atlantic Canada. He has more than five years of experience in non-profit communications, with a focus on helping organizations and individuals share their stories. Before joining ACIC, Mateo worked with the Inter-Council Network, supporting bilingual communications and public engagement across Canada’s provincial and regional councils for international cooperation. He has also worked as a communications consultant with organizations and nonprofits around the world, alongside experience supporting youth-led grassroots movement building and engagement initiatives.

Katie was born in BC, grew up internationally, and has spent time living on both coasts of Canada. She has spent many years working alongside youth in various capacities in both BC and Nova Scotia. She has spent the last ten years in BC supporting various youth engagement projects in the context of BC youth health and wellbeing. She has developed and led workshops and focus groups on various health promotion topics for both youth and adults, and coordinated a youth employment program for youth in BC with experience of the government care system. She has co-authored community-friendly reports as well as academic articles and has presented at several international conferences.

Nancy brings experience in accounting, financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with leadership teams to support sound financial decision-making, strengthen organizational processes, and promote accountability and transparency. As Finance Manager at ACIC, Nancy supports the organization’s financial operations and is committed to ensuring resources are managed responsibly to support ACIC’s mission. She is excited to join the team and contribute to ACIC’s work in advancing equity, global solidarity, and sustainable communities.

Choyce is ACIC's PEI Provincial Coordinator and IYIP Program Coordinator. Born in Nova Scotia and (mostly) raised in PEI, she's a lover of all-things Atlantic Canada. She has two degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island, a Bachelor of Environmental Studies and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences, but mostly from indoors, as she moonlights as a mosquito magnet.