Meet Our Current Interns
Spring 2025
Madison Johnson
Madison is a senior at the University of Maine, Orono, majoring in Economics with a minor in Political Science. She developed a passion for economics and public service through her academic studies and experience working in Dubai, UAE. While abroad, she gained valuable insights into the global economy, particularly the role of energy in driving economic development. Her time in Dubai sparked a deep appreciation for the power of global collaboration and sustainable practices, which she hopes to bring into her work at MITC. During her internship, she is eager to refine her understanding of global trade and economics. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Madison enjoys walking her dogs on the beach. She also has a love for visiting archaeological sites. Madison values community and aims to use her work to create meaningful impact in both local and global arenas.
Zachary Simon
Zachary is a Junior at the University of Southern Maine majoring in Operations and Supply Chain Management. He is a US Navy Veteran, where he gained valuable experience in leadership, discipline, and an insight into global operations. This fueled a deep interest in international trade and supply chain management. His educational goal is to expand his expertise in strategic planning, process optimization, and global commerce. He works full time as a real estate agent, further developing his skills in negotiations, client relations, and market analysis. He aims to bridge his military experience, academic knowledge, and professional work to enhance his learning opportunity at MITC. In his free time, Zachary enjoys hiking, boating on Sebago Lake in the summer, and skiing in the winter.
Rowan Worden
Rowan is a Maine resident and recent graduate in Humanities, Society and Culture at Anglo-American University in the Czech Republic. While visiting family in America and Canada, Rowan developed an interest in the different ways people live. He was fortunate to study and work with people of many different backgrounds and learn how important trade and economics are to their cultures. During his internship with MITC, Rowan hopes to learn more about international trade and leverage his background to help the trade center serve their clients and community. He spends his free time hiking, skiing, and studying. Rowan hopes to attend law school in the fall to further his goal of international cooperation.
Fall 2024
Guzalya Zakhirova
Guzalya, an international student from Uzbekistan, is currently pursuing dual graduate degrees in Global Policy and Business Administration at the University of Maine. She began her career in the freight forwarding industry, gaining invaluable firsthand experience in how global trade drives economic growth and improves living standards. Throughout her educational journey, she has also developed a strong passion for expanding international student opportunities. Guzalya believes that trade and education are powerful tools for fostering global understanding and sustainable development. During her internship at MITC, she is committed not only to acquiring new skills but also to leveraging her expertise to make a lasting impact in these critical areas. In her free time, Guzalya enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, and she also plays the ukulele.
Summer 2024
Adam Collins
Adam is a Maine resident and a senior at the University of Southern Maine studying for his BS in Information Technology. Outside of school, he performs multi-faceted work for the trading card game community in the state of Maine and beyond, offering community events such as tournaments or personalized lessons via coaching. Through this work, he gained a new appreciation for learning and understanding the individualized traits of people both locally and away. With this internship, Adam strives to learn about the intricacies of people and businesses abroad. In his spare time, he loves to perform calisthenics, play trading card games, and listen to Sophisti-Pop.
Brendan Mailloux
A senior at American University in Washington, DC, Brendan studies International Relations with a focus in Foreign Policy and National Security. With academic experience in a wide range of subjects, he is excited to see first-hand how international trends interact in ways that benefit Maine’s businesses and economy. When back home in Maine, Brendan aims to take full advantage of the outdoors and enjoys hiking, tennis, and biking in his free time.
Kasei Oma
Kasei is a junior at Bowdoin College, majoring in Government and Legal Studies (Comparative Politics) and Asian Studies (East Asia). Born in Japan, he grew up in China and is currently an international student in Maine. Kasei’s transnational experience has prompted him to develop and possess a deep appreciation for the nuances of globally diversified politics and economic markets. Fluent in both Japanese and Mandarin, he can communicate effectively in both languages. At Bowdoin, Kasei is an active board member of the Japanese Student Association, where he takes part in Japanese-affiliated cultural promotion events on campus and is in charge of the club’s year-long treasury management. He is also a member of Bowdoin’s Student Appeals and Awards Committee, where he engages in the nominations of several student awards and the hearings of academic appeals at the college. As a new Mainer, he is very excited about the opportunities to exercise all of his acquired skills in the professional setting at MITC and work alongside the businesses and his colleagues to enhance Maine’s global economic competitiveness.