The focus of Your Future in Global Markets 2017 international business conference was on helping delegates to reach a new level of international business success. It was also a great opportunity to mix, mingle and learn from those who have been there, done that. The group of expert speakers, panelists and moderators explained from their diverse perspectives how survival in today’s global business environment means having the right team in place to recognize and act on opportunities and mitigate risks, ensuring commercial success and increasing profit margins. Conference delegates were then able to learn how to build their team, act on the latest trends, technology and policies, and plan their future in global markets.
Meet our experts
Former FCPA violator and FBI/UK Cooperator
CEO, Front-line Anti-Bribery LLC
A leading expert on business ethics, Richard Bistrong is the founder and CEO of Front-Line Anti-Bribery LLC. After spending the first decade of his career as an international sales VP, his career took a turn when he pleaded guilty to violating the FCPA and served 14.5 months in prison. His valuable assistance as an international law enforcement cooperator paved the way for a transition into full time work in anti-corruption efforts. With his unique perspective, he is now an award-winning consultant, writer and speaker on current front-line anti-bribery and compliance issues for businesses and organizations around the world.
Founder, OMX | “Dragon”, Next Gen Den
Panellist, CBC News, The Exchange
Nicole Verkindt is passionate about leveraging the talents of entrepreneurs. The founder of OMX (Offset Market Exchange) and the newest Dragon on CBC’s Next Gen Den, she believes in the role of entrepreneurs to grow the economy and help solve global issues. An expert in international business, Nicole can speak from experience about the importance of disruptive thinking, technology, innovation, and women’s roles in business. Nicole stresses to audiences that the key to success lies in the ability to ignore being told “no” over and over again.
Founder & Principal, Consilium Global Business Advisors
Export Advisor, American Express
Ed specializes in helping B2B companies grow globally. His consulting practice combines high level corporate and board level strategy work with digital marketing and export execution assistance. He writes and speaks extensively on the intersection of digital marketing and business growth - domestically and internationally. Using his methodologies, companies create scalable, predictable and internationally diverse revenue growth, which drives profitability and increased valuation. A former US Army Airborne Ranger, he's owned and run companies, including one he founded in India, and a partnership with a German manufacturer. Ed is a TradeReady.ca contributor and a social media influencer. He’s also the Export Advisor to American Express.
President, PayPal Canada
Paul is a results-oriented Canadian leader with a strong track record of more than 17 years in the payments industry. He plays a critical role in identifying strategic partnerships and bringing innovations to market and further solidifying PayPal as the leading digital payments provider in Canada. He leads his team to help more than 250,000 Canadian retailers and small businesses grow their sales both domestic and cross-border. Prior to Paypal he held several key leadership positions across sales, account management, e-procurement and travel in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K.
President and CEO
Emerit Consulting and Tourism HR Canada
Philip has worked on labour market projects for 25 years. His work spans over 15 industrial sectors in 11 countries, including work with foreign governments, pan-global organizations, industry associations, corporations, and various education and training bodies. He has presented at many conferences on topics related competency-based models for both regulated and non-regulated professions. His specialties include the mobility of learners and workers, qualifications frameworks, setting occupational standards, assessment, and comprehensive labour market research models. Philip has worked on prominent international trade projects including FITT’s CITP®|FIBP® designation, a quality rating system for trade centres, and specialized programs for developing indigenous tourism in global markets.
President & CEO, Spina Cross Border Consulting Inc.
James Spina began his career with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in 1983 and worked with the agency for 31 years. He has extensive operational and administrative experience working with importers, exporters, carriers, manufacturers, customs brokers, couriers and (3PL) logistics service providers across North America and abroad. James is considered a subject matter expert in Customs Operations, cross-border regulatory affairs including eManifest and the provision of advanced commercial information. In 2013 he began a second career as President & CEO of Spina Cross Border Consulting Inc. and continues to work in the global trade Industry.
President and Founder, OPUS Advisory Services International Inc.
Director, FITT
Alexander R. Malaket, CITP, CTFP, is an internationally recognized expert in international business, trade, and trade finance. As President of Canadian consultancy OPUS Advisory Services International Inc., he has undertaken a range of consultancy assignments, from operational and tactical to technology, to global strategy, and delivered various training programs for clients around the world. As a thought leader, Alexander has authored books, reports, program assessments and reviews, public and international policy reports and has participated in or chaired numerous international initiatives for industry bodies and other institutions, including representing Canada at the B20/G20 Consultations as part of the Financing Growth Task Force in 2015. He is also a valued member of the FITT Board of Directors.
Senior Investigator, RCMP
Sensitive and International Investigations
National Division| Co-founder, CCEAC
Sgt. Patrice Poitevin is a 34 year veteran of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who is sought for his extensive knowledge on financial crime and corruption related issues. In his role with the Sensitive and International Investigations unit of National Division, Sgt. Poitevin’s mandate has been to educate Canadian businesses about the costs and impacts of corruption on businesses and communities. Sgt. Poitevin advises on tools, strategies and good practices that will minimize risks, help individuals and companies to recognize red flags, and enhance the role of businesses in preventing and fighting corruption. He is also the co-founder of the Canadian Centre of Excellence for Anti-Corruption (CCEAC) at the University of Ottawa and of the Global Anti-Corruption University project.
Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer, Sannam S4
With over 20 years of experience doing business in Asia, India and Middle East markets, Adrian has become a leading expert in market entry into these regions. He established Sannam S4 in India in 2008, to provide a trusted and fit-for-purpose trade support platform for organizations seeking to explore, enter and expand in the country. In 2015 he helped launch the U.S. Business Centers, helping American organizations enter the India market, following an invitation to join President Obama and Prime Minister Modi’s U.S. India Business Summit in New Delhi. Adrian is regularly consulted by international governments, trade support agencies, trade associations and industry bodies seeking to develop more effective ways of facilitating international trade and investment.
Senior Compliance and Regulatory Counsel, Gran Tiera Energy Inc.
Over the course of her career, Kris has gained particular expertise in Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (“CFPOA”) and other anti-corruption regulations. She was lead defence counsel on the first two major prosecutions brought under the CFPOA, and was also lead counsel on the first corporate prosecution brought under Canada’s Special Economic Measures Act (Iran). She specializes in the creation and implementation of corporate compliance programs in the areas of domestic and international anti-bribery, securities laws, privacy and data protection, competition laws, export control and sanctions, and business ethics. She is a strong proponent of corporate governance, ethics and compliance as vital risk management tools for companies and their officers, directors and employees.
Founder & CEO, Allam Advisory Group| Panelist, BNN, Bloomberg, CBC News
Omar Allam is a highly respected former Canadian trade diplomat, and an accomplished global entrepreneur with World Bank and UN experience with 18 years of international trade, investment, and foreign affairs experience spanning more than 50 countries. He is a recognized international trade influencer and expert in providing business development, global strategy and commercial diplomacy/government relations advisory support to high-growth start-ups, SMEs, middle market firms, and Fortune 500 companies on their internationalization journey. Omar is frequently quoted in the media on a broad range of international trade and foreign affairs issues, is a regular guest on BNN, Bloomberg, CBC News, and is published in Maclean’s Magazine, The Globe & Mail, Canadian Business Magazine, The Hill Times and other outlets.
Experienced Senior Manager, Richter
With over 25 years in public accounting and tax-consulting, Andre leads Richter’s international economic-consulting practice. Andre’s corporate tax background includes work in income tax, international tax, indirect tax, customs, due diligences, mergers and acquisitions and privatizations. He leads major engagements in cross-border expansions and planning, tax and corporate structure planning for owner-managed and public businesses, audit defense, advance pricing arrangements and submissions to Canadian and foreign tax authorities.
President & Owner, Global Links Network
Diane is living proof that even the smallest of companies can have a major presence on the global stage. With over 25 years’ experience in the international marketplace, she has been involved in a variety of projects in over 70 countries. Through innovative and practical training and coaching programmes, Trade Promotion Organizations in developing countries and thousands of small businesses have learned key techniques and strategies for exporting their services. Diane’s passion is making the international business environment more user-friendly for a rapidly growing number of service sector entrepreneurs - the global traders of tomorrow.
Chief, Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness, International Trade Centre
Marcos Vaena leads the work on Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness at the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness and internationalization of SMEs. His work focuses on enabling sector-wide transformation through value chain development and upgrading, including leveraging digital technologies and e-commerce as a driver towards a more inclusive global trading system.
Owner & President, Swenco Limited
Paul Sweeny is the owner and president of Swenco Limited, an industry leading manufacturer of safety footwear components and PPE products. After devoting 36 years as an employee of Swenco Limited (the last 20 of those as General Manager), he successfully completed purchasing the company and taking sole-ownership. Now, with over 20 employees, Swenco Limited exports over 75% of its production globally. Paul made his vision of starting a manufacturing business to support the growing footwear industry in Southern China a reality in 2004, putting together a team of investors and founding the parent company in Hong Kong. The company currently employs 100 people and exports globally from China. He works diligently to promote the Kitchener-Waterloo area abroad and to keep it a thriving manufacturing region.
Export Consultant, Google
Jyll is an Export Consultant on Google’s Americas Global Expansion Team. In this role, she focuses on helping businesses grow internationally by providing insights, opportunities and strategic recommendations. Prior to Google, she was a Senior Manager at Scratch, a creative consultancy within Viacom in New York. An avid sidepreneur, Jyll is also an MBA admissions consultant, helping top candidates get into top business schools. Jyll holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Psychology and Child Development from Tufts University.
Deputy Director, Investment and Trade Policy, Global Affairs Canada
Maxim Berdichevsky, CITP, is Deputy Director of Investment and Trade Policy at Global Affairs Canada. He also previously worked with Export Development Canada in trade finance origination and structuring. At Global Affairs he has spent majority of his 18-year career primarily as a trade commissioner promoting Canadian exports and investment globally. Maxim has been posted in 4 different countries: Korea, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. In his current role, he negotiates investment treaties for Canada.
Vice-President Commercial Markets and Small Business, Export Development Canada
In her 25 years at EDC Ms. Pottier has held a variety of leadership positions. Most recently she was responsible for the leadership and management of EDC’s business development team, working to help companies succeed internationally throughout the Quebec region. She was appointed Vice-President, Commercial Markets and Small Business in March 2016. In this capacity, she is responsible for account management and business development activities for all Canadian customers and prospects in the commercial and small business segments.
Principal, Global Strategy Consultant, Karam Consulting Group
Amy Karam is the author of The China Factor: Leveraging Emerging Business Strategies to Compete, Grow and Win in the New Global Economy and a trusted authority on globalization, innovation, and the shifting power dynamics in international business, given the rising strength of China and other emerging nations. During her 15 years in Silicon Valley, Amy worked with some of the world’s leading companies such as Apple, Cisco, Visa, and Nationwide and has worked with over 50 countries in emerging and developed markets. She has been published in magazines such as Entrepreneur, Forbes and China’s Business Tianjin, interviewed by Yahoo Finance, Google, CTV News and has was invited to do a TEDx talk on the keys to economic global growth.
President & CEO, Beyond Ventures Group Inc.
Paula is a CITP|FIBP with 25 years of broad experience leading businesses to success through creative, effective solutions. She has extensive knowledge and experience in the international business environment in Atlantic Canada, and Latin America. As President and CEO of BEYOND Ventures Group she helps clients in both the public and private sectors reach beyond barriers and borders with a focus on people, business improvement, and customer satisfaction. Paula has been instrumental in developing and delivering FITTskills international business training.
President & CEO, Forum for International Trade Training (FITT)
Caroline Tompkins is the President & CEO of FITT, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building the proficiency of businesses, professionals, and students, to access global markets, reduce and manage risks of international trade, and enable profitable competition. She has over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, including more than 20 years leading FITT. Caroline combines a solid understanding of training with an acute business sense, and has been recognized by many organizations including receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Caroline also serves as a Director for the National Association of International Trade Educators (NASBITE) in the United States; and as a Director of Trade Facilitation Office of Canada.
President, InterPOC Inc.|Director, FITT
Gustavo Zentner is President of InterPOC Inc where he works with export companies and those entering into global markets for the first time. He provides senior level executive coaching and advice to company owners and government Economic Development Agencies in The Americas, including Brazil, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, United States, and Canada. Gustavo is also a Thought Leadership speaker at global conferences including the Mexico Leadership Summit, the Brazil Infrastructure Conference, the Barranquilla-Colombia Expo and Conference, and International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in Toronto. In 2017, Gustavo was appointed Honorary Consul of Brazil to promote and support economic development, trade, culture, and tourism.
Managing Director, eBay Canada
As eBay Canada’s managing director, Andrea Stairs leads the Canadian strategy and operations of one of the world’s largest online marketplaces and Canada’s second largest e-commerce business. In this role, Andrea is responsible for cultivating eBay’s community of Canadian users — from individual consumers to established brands and retailers — and for overseeing all of eBay’s Canadian functions, including product management, marketing, business development, and public and government relations.
Andrea was most recently head of marketing for eBay Canada, managing the brand’s marketing strategy and execution. She was also instrumental in launching eBay’s French-Canadian website and in leading the eBay Motors team in Canada.
Senior Vice-President and Global Head, Financing and Investments, EDC
Carl Burlock was appointed Senior Vice-President and Global Head, Financing and Investments in May 2014. Since joining EDC in 1997, Mr. Burlock most recently served as Vice-President Commercial Markets and Small Business where he was responsible for account management and business development activities for Canadian businesses in the commercial and small business segments. He also served as Vice President of HR Client Services, overseeing a broad portfolio of critical HR functions, Director of EDC’s Extractive and Resources Financing team, as well as various positions within EDC’s industry sector areas.
Team Lead, Trade Information Services, TFO Canada
Clarecia Christie is an international trade specialist working with TFO Canada as its Team Lead, Trade Information Services. Managing a team of three she is responsible for the delivery of TFO Canada’s comprehensive Canadian market trade information services. Previously Clarecia was Policy Advisor to the Minister of Health Promotion for over three years. Clarecia with over 17 years trade expertise, is designated CITP®|FIBP®, has extensive experience implementing projects for multi-lateral agencies. Clarecia holds a MSc. in International Business Management and an Honour’s BSc. in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing of Services from the Maastricht School of Management.
Senior VP, National Affairs and Partnerships, Canadian Federation for Independent Business
Corinne Pohlmann is Senior Vice President, National Affairs and Partnerships for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), a not-for-profit organization representing more than 109,000 small and medium-sized business members across Canada. Corinne is responsible for CFIB’s strategic direction on federal legislative issues, and sensitizing governments to the needs of Canada’s independent businesses. Corinne also oversees CFIB’s Economics function, Products and Partnerships division, CFIB’s Atlantic Canada legislative team and a number of marketing initiatives. She has participated in numerous national consultations including the SME Advisory Committee to the Minister of International Trade, the Advisory Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and the Deputy Minister Advisory Committee on Citizenship and Immigration.
V.P. Operations, DHL Express Canada
Darryl Wettlaufer is the Vice President of Operations for DHL Express Canada.
International Business Program, Nova Scotia Community College
Leroy is a full-time faculty member in International Business at the Nova Scotia Community College and an active international business development consultant who has helped many small-to-medium sized companies across a wide range of sectors (with all aspects of exporting) over the past two decades. As leading trade trainer, he has led a wide range of export-related workshops to companies, government, and World Trade Center staff in Canada, The USA, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East and South East Asia. He is now also the Vice-President of the North American Small Business International Trade Educators Association, and the President of Getting to Know Cancer and Neuroqualia (two NGO’s that are leading scientists in 31 countries to help solve a number of important challenges in cancer and neuroscience). Dr Lowe holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Diploma in Engineering, a Masters Degree in Adult Education, an MBA, and a PhD Biological Sciences.
iPolitics Political Columnist
Susan Delacourt is one of Canada’s best-known political journalists. Over her long career she has worked at some of the top newsrooms in the country, from the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail, to the Ottawa Citizen and the National Post. She is a frequent political panelist on CBC Radio and CTV. Author of four books, her latest — Shopping For Votes — was a finalist for the prestigious Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Canadian non-fiction in 2014. She teaches classes in journalism and political communication at Carleton University.
Associate Partner, EY Law LLP, Ernst & Young LLP
Katherine Xilinas is an Associate Partner with EY Law LLP and Ernst & Young LLP, based in Vancouver. Katherine has been practicing in the areas of global trade and commodity tax since 2000, having joined EY from a large national law firm in 2014. She advises clients on all aspects of international trade law and commodity tax planning and compliance, and regularly represents clients before the Canadian taxing authorities in the context of commodity tax, customs and trade disputes. She has also represented her clients at various levels of court including the provincial Superior Courts, the Tax Court of Canada, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal and the Federal Courts of Canada. Katherine is a frequent speaker and writer, and a co-author of Carswell’s Canadian Customs Law.
Senior Vice President Business Development Group, Export Development Canada
Mairead Lavery joined Export Development Canada in 2014, taking on the role of Senior Vice President for Business Development. She leads a team that is the face of EDC, across Canada and around the world.
She came to EDC from Bombardier, where she spent sixteen years in a variety of roles, including Vice-President Finance and Vice-President Strategy in Bombardier’s Aerospace Group,. Among her proudest achievements was her building of Bombardier’s presence in China, where she laid the foundation and created the beginnings of the company’s network in that important market.
At work and in her private life, Mairead has continued to engage in her passion for understanding the people around her and building communities. She has sat on the boards of the St. Patrick’s Society of Montreal, and the International Association of Women in Aviation. While at Bombardier and now at EDC, Mairead remains committed to the challenges of women and the imperative of a diverse and culturally inclusive workforce and leads the corporation’s engagement in these areas..
Mairead is a native of Northern Ireland, where she earned her degree in Management and Accounting from Queen’s University Belfast. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
VP, Corporate FX, EncoreFX
Jared combines a solid background in banking and 10 years of financial markets experience, with unstoppable enthusiasm for client service. In his role as VP, Corporate FX in the Ottawa branch, he embodies the EncoreFX value of bringing a consultative approach to all clients, regardless of the size of their company. With an ability to explain complex concepts in accessible language, Jared brings his passion for the industry to every, single interaction.
Stand-up Comedian, the Debaters
Dave Hemstad is a three-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee who began performing on national television in 2002. In addition to his own half hour Comedy Now Special on CTV and his Gala performance at the prestigious Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal he has taped appearances for both the Halifax and Winnipeg Comedy Festivals for CBC. Dave has many acting credits to his name including having starred in the Showcase comedy series Almost Heroes. Dave is currently a regular on CBC's smash hit The Debaters for both television and radio. In addition to his many international appearances, Dave is proud to have performed in every province AND territory in Canada.
Deputy Director, Free Trade Agreement Promotion Task Force, Global Affairs Canada
Cindie-Eve Bourassa is Deputy Director with the Free Trade Agreement Promotion Task Force at Global Affairs Canada. She has served as Second Secretary - Political at the Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) and subsequently as First Secretary – Trade at the Embassy of Canada in Riyadh where she was Canada’s first female trade commissioner to Saudi Arabia. She is passionate about working with small and medium sized enterprises interested to export, partner and invest abroad.
Co-Founder, TPD | Chair, FITT Board of Directors
Leslie founded TPD in 1980 in Calgary and has grown it into a global, full service talent management and organizational performance firm which offers all levels of staffing, contracting and outsourced HR management. As a thought leader in HR and advocate for diversity, Leslie has been recognized globally. Her organization has been a many time recipient of the “Best to Work For” Award. Business In Vancouver placed Leslie at #3 on their list of “Biggest” Organizations owned and led by a woman in BC.
In 2014 Leslie received the Astra Women of Excellence Global Growth Award, in 2012 the WEConnect Ambassador Award, in 2009 the International Women of Influence Award, and the WPO Global Growth Award in 2007.
Want recaps of each session with all of the most important takeaways? Click below on the name of each session to download the PDF notes of that particular session - any Powerpoints used during sessions will also be included within the PDF files.
Your Future in Global Markets
Hilton Lac Leamy, National Capital Region
October 2-4, 2017
Email: marketing@fitt.ca