Settlement Team

KAREN OLDROYD is the Program Director of Settlement Services at Community Employment Services. With an educational and employment background in Social Services, Karen has worked in the field for over 30 years. She has a Diploma in Developmental Service Work, Career Foundations and Settlement Work and her efforts have been focused on supporting people with disabilities, youth, unemployed individuals, and newcomers. She started as an Employment Counsellor in 2004 and for the past 10 years has supported the successful integration of newcomers into Oxford’s workforce and community. Karen is also the co-chair of the Oxford Local Immigration Partnership Council, that is committed to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive, safe community that embraces and truly values diversity. Karen’s commitment to nurturing strong supportive relationships coupled with an empathetic, client-centric, holistic and innovative approach to service has had a profoundly positive impact on newcomers and the entire Oxford community.

ILIRA THOMA is a Settlement Counselor and Employment Counsellor at CES – you may recognize her from her first job as the friendly face behind the front desk! Ilira is a proud honours graduate from George Brown College, specializing in Administration Management for Health Care. Her education has gifted Ilira with a wealth of knowledge on health-related topics that many of our clients need help with. With over five years of experience in Office Management and as a Pharmacist Technician, Ilira has honed her abilities in efficiently running organizations and understanding the intricacies of counseling. Fluent in four   languages—English, Albanian, Italian, and Greek—she effortlessly bridges linguistic gaps to ensure effective communication.

A mother of four, she combines professionalism with warmth, making her a trusted advocate for families and newcomers navigating life in Canada. She looks forward to supporting you with all your settlement and employment needs!

RANA SALEH is a Settlement Counsellor at Community Employment Services (CES). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and has over 10 years of experience in administration and office management. Originally from Lebanon, Rana has lived in Dubai and the United States where she owned and managed a small business, working closely with a diverse group of customers. These experiences strengthened her communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills, and taught her to be adaptable, patient, and attentive to individual needs—qualities she now applies in her role supporting newcomers.

Rana is passionate about walking alongside individuals and families as they navigate one of the most important transitions of their lives. She values CES’s holistic, client-centered approach, which looks beyond paperwork to understand each person’s personal, cultural, and emotional needs. Her dedication helps clients feel heard, respected, and genuinely supported, building the trust and confidence essential for successful integration and long-term stability in Canada.

ZUNNOOR AHMED (ZACH) is an Employment/Settlement Counsellor at Community Employment Services in Woodstock. With an educational background in management and information technology, Zach has been in dealing in sales, marketing and customer relations for three decades across Europe, Asia and North America. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the City University of Seattle, WA, USA and a Masters-Equivalent qualification (Diplompruefung) in Information Technology from the University of Frankfurt in Germany. Zach speaks five languages fluently; and through his vast experience of dealing with clients from all over the world, easily engages with almost everyone to find a solution to their specific needs and requirements. Probably one of the very few individuals to have filed taxes in three continents of the globe, his empathy, compassion and a tireless will to help everyone has created ripples in the local Newcomer scene. Zach tirlessly advocates for peace, harmony and tranquility and hopes to help each client find these in their life here in Oxford County.