Diane Conlon, President
Diane Conlon is the president and owner of Transitions College. She is well known in the Niagara region as a talented entrepreneur. She has over 25 years of diverse experience in the education, financial and investment fields. She is also the president of Wilson Financials, a Bookkeeping and Consulting Company. Diane was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario and had attended McMaster University, specializing in Finance and Accounting. Diane worked in banking as an Account Manager for several years while at the same time growing her Bookkeeping company.
As an inspirational business leader, Diane emphasises the link between business strategy and social needs. Her strategic vision focuses on innovation in the educational industry and working hand-to-hand with the government and community to deliver excellence in education. She directs Transitions College towards creating shared value with the community through understanding the economic challenges and social needs in the Niagara Region as well as in Ontario.
Walaa Saeed, MBA, PGC.PM, BSc. Eng.
Vice President, Operations
Senior Lecturer in Strategy & Competitiveness
In his capacity as Vice President, Operations at Transitions College, Walaa Saeed sets the college policies and strategies of business development and advancement as well as the operation and quality control systems.
Walaa is senior lecturer in (Corporate Strategy and Economic Development) and head of the Advanced Management Department at Transitions College. Walaa holds an MBA, Master's degree of Business Administration from the University of Wales, UK, his thesis focuses on “Utilizing Skilled Immigrants in Ontario’s Economy: Developing A New Competitive Advantage”. Walaa also holds a PGCPM, Post Graduate Degree in Project Management from the University of Wales, Cardiff, UK, with thesis focuses on “Competitiveness of Microeconomics: Developing Ontario’s Tourism Cluster”. He also holds BSc. Eng., Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering and possesses twenty years experience in strategic planning and advanced management.
Clara Casucci-McLeod, B.A., C.A.
Chartered Accountant
Instructor of ESL, Accounting and Finance
Clara has a B.A. – Interdepartmental Business Degree (with distinction) as well as a designation as a Chartered Accountant (C.A.). For 19 years, she worked at Niagara College in their Business Division as a professor, developing and delivering courses in accounting, finance, financial management, tax and auditing. She also served, at different times, as both Co-ordinator of several college programs, and then Director of the School of Business.
Darlene Sider, B.A. (Honours), B.Ed.
Instructor, Advanced Academic Upgrading
Darlene Sider is a talented education specialist. She possesses a wide experience in teaching at different education levels. She has taught at both the elementary and secondary school levels, but has found her niche in Adult Education. Darlene provides academic upgrading in preparation for college entrance tests, the GED and other specialized courses. She seeks to equip her students with the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to be successful at college and in the workplace.
Darlene graduated with an Honours Bachelor's Degree from Wilfred Laurier University and a Bachelor's of Education from Brock University.
Shane Shannan, B.A.
Adults Education Specialist
Instructor of Office Admin. & Computer Applications
Shane has an Honours BA in English Literature from Brock University and a wide experience in computer applications. He worked for many years in literary sales before joining Transitions College at the end of 2009. He has instructed students in Microsoft Office, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Customer Service Training, Administrative Assistant Training, Receptionist Training, and Job Search Training. Shane has taken courses in teaching Adult Education and is well respected among his students and faculty at Transitions College.
Deb Yorke Kostialik
Senior Computer Systems Analyst
Adult Education Instructor, Trainer, Facilitator
Deb has lived, worked, and played in the Niagara area her whole life. Her area of expertise is in Information Technology, and her passion is teaching adults. She has earned a Service Excellence Certificate from the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation, a Teaching Adults Certificate and Business Diploma from Niagara College, and has work experience in hospitality / tourism (Niagara Parks Commission), manufacturing (Atlas Steels), education (Niagara College Continuing Education), and government (The Regional Municipality of Niagara). Deb began her career as a computer programmer advancing to a computer systems analyst, and then on to be the Y2K Coordinator for the Regional Municipality of Niagara. She has instructed adults throughout her career in customer service, office administration, accounting, project management, inventory, job search, and various versions of computer software programs like operating systems, word processers, spreadsheets, database management, accounting, graphics, presentation software, internet browsers, email, and voice activated software called Dragon Naturally Speaking and Dragon Dictate for a Mac. Deb is currently instructing for both Niagara College and Transitions College, and continues to take courses herself as she believes in life-long learning.
