Meet Our CITPs - A |
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Ms. Abrol established her first start-up business at the age of 22. Since, she has been involved in multiple entrepreneurial initiatives. Ms. Abrol is CEO of an online company, which allows companies to connect with virtual freelancers around the world. She is also a business advisor and angel investor. Ms. Abrol was trained at the University of Ottawa and Algonquin College where she studied Commerce. She is fluent in three languages. Ms. Abrol received her CITP designation in 2010.
Aziz Acik, CITP
Aziz Acik has been working for The Bank of Nova Scotia, Ontario International Trade Services for four years. He graduated from International Market Development Program from Seneca College with additional courses about Marketing and Economics.
He holds a transcript graduation from Marmara University, European Union (EU) Institute. Has a Masters Education in the field of European Studies encompassing EU law, EU politics and International relations and EU economics.
He visited all the organs of EU and NATO headquarters with the EU Institute whose name was later incorporated to Marmara Jean Monnet Center of Excellence.
He has been attending the meetings of Turkish Canadian Business Council and the Regional Committee of World Turkish Business Association to promote FITT and different trade opportunities between Turkey and Canada.
Sherilyn Acorn-Leclair, CITP
Ms. Acorn-Leclair is working as the Coordinator of International Programs at the University of Prince Edward Island’s School of Business Administration. The SBA’s vision is to be a leader in business education, research and service in the community and globally, while holding a mission to provide relevant and innovative business education, research and service, adding value and leadership to communities locally and beyond.
The School of Business Administration at UPEI is committed to providing students with a high quality, integrated business education in a personalized learning environment. It is uniquely structured to provide the broad-based, cross functional business education required for leaders of business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. SBA is the only delivery partner of FITTskills on PEI.
Sherilyn has a BBA from UPEI, has recently obtained the CITP designation from FITT, has experience working with the Consulate of Canada, Trade Office in Auckland, NZ, and has two years of trade experience working with a local software company in Charlottetown.
Glen Adams, CITP
Glen manages the Western Canadian division of The New Zealand and Australian Lamb Company Ltd. (The Lamb Company); as well, Glen is The Marketing Operations and Commodity Manager for Canada.
The Lamb Company is an integrated marketing company that imports lamb and related products, and operates a marketing and distribution network across North America, including fully accredited further processing facilities that provide the widest possible product range to the market. The Company works directly with the major retail and food service distributors in the market, developing and supporting product supply programs to meet their needs, and the needs of their consumer customers. The Company’s dominant source of supply, as well as its extensive marketing infrastructure, is unmatched in the sheep meat industry in North America. This provides superior ability to satisfy customer’s needs as well as competitive advantage for customer partners and economies of scale. The Company values innovation, integrity, excellence, accountability, sustainability, food safety and team commitment.
Glen has a Diploma of Technology, Marketing Management, from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and a Diploma in International Trade from the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) in Ottawa, as well a Certificate in Management from The University of British Columbia (UBC). Glen has had his professional designation as a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) since 2002.
Gerald Adamson, CITP
Gerry Adamson has recently established Camlexa Consulting to provide export marketing services to Canadian companies and advisory services to governments and other organizations supporting Canadian exporters. He has devoted his career to helping Canadian exporters, most recently as the Vice President of Operations with the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP). Gerry has amassed over twenty years of experience in trade development working for STEP and Saskatchewan Economic and Cooperative Development. During this time, he has developed and implemented a variety of Saskatchewan marketing initiatives in the United States, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Gerry has been actively engaged in STEP´s efforts to develop and expand linkages with Ukraine through international development projects and commercial initiatives. He sits on the Canadian Steering Committee of an agriculture development project in Ukraine that STEP is executing on behalf of CIDA and the Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Prior to focusing on trade development initiatives in Saskatchewan, Gerry was employed by the Canadian Department of External Affairs and served in Ottawa, the United States, and Peru. He received his CITP in 2006.
Larraine M. Adrain, CITP
Mrs. Adrain has over 17 years experience in international trade and began her export career as a logistics coordinator for a specialty crop (lentils, peas etc.) export company. In 1995 she was instrumental in the initial set up of Agricom International Inc. and is currently trading organic and conventional specialty crops. This includes market research, sales, purchases, logistics and export documentation. Her career has encompassed all aspects of international trade. Mrs. Adrain graduated in 1990 from the BCIT Financial Management program (Finance Option). She received her CITP in 2004.
Mutwakil Ahmed, CITP/FIBP
With over 20 years, Mutwakil demonstrated expertise in global trade, business development, and development management, Mu has a diverse experience ranged from private corporations, government, to international donors.
In handling his overseas multi-tasks, he exposed to practical involvement throughout Middle East, East Africa, North America, Europe, and Thailand. Very specialized in commodity markets, Mu nurtured overseas business partnership of about $50 millions. As well, he successfully developed dynamic and strategic business plans for maximum corporate growth and governance.
Mu works as freelancer consultant and simultaneously looking after CanAcacia Inc., a growing Ontario-based company specialized in global trading of gum acacia (gum arabic), sesame, groundnut, sugar and grains.
Audrey Albrecht-Lee, CITPAudrey Albrecht-Lee works with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Ministry responsible for the overall implementation of Alberta’s Rural Development Strategy. This involves facilitating greater collaboration between the various provincial government departments as well as other stakeholders actively supporting rural development in the Province. Part of the challenge also involves encouraging rural clients and policy makers alike to "think global and act local". Ms. Albrecht-Lee has been a CITP since 1998.
Mercedes Aquilina, CITP
Mercedes Aquilina is employed by International Trade Canada, Ontario Region. As a member of the Trade Commissioner Service, she provides a broad range of business development services to assist Ontario companies to become export ready and realize their international business goals. Based in Northern Ontario, Mrs. Aquilina completed the FITTskills program entirely online and received her CITP designation in 2004. Mrs. Aquilina has prior experience in program development, mediation, management and delivery, and takes a leadership role in her community.
Bob Armstrong, CITP
Bob Armstrong, CITP, is President of Armstrong Trade and Logistics Advisory Services Inc. (ATLAS). Bob has over 35 years of experience in the fields of International Trade, Cross Border Logistics and Customs Regulations and Procedures.
ATLAS offers advice and assistance to ensure your International supply chain is reliable and efficient and helps companies locate partners in the global arena where they need to understand the barriers of trade, cope with changes in security measures and customs regulations and ensure best practices. ATLAS also represents Economic Development Departments for US cities and states requiring representation in Canada for investment & trade opportunities.
Bob is Chair of the Board of the Canadian Council for the Americas and Vice-Chair of the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of various industry associations including the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), SCL and I.E.Canada.
Lynda Arsenault, CITP
Lynda has over twelve years of experience working in sectors including IT, engineering, and economic development. For the past 4 years, she has been working in a client management position with the Investment Attraction Division of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI) - the Province’s business development agency. In Lynda’s current position, she has gained valuable trade experience traveling throughout the province meeting with NSBI’s large international client base. This position has allowed her to develop long-term relationships with companies who are exporting their products or services internationally.
Lynda holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Saint Mary’s University, a Masters in E-commerce from Dalhousie University, International Trade Diploma, Diploma in Management, Diploma in Marketing and International Business and a Certificate in Web Page Design.
Mr. Ashraf is a competent professional with over 5 years of domestic and overseas experience in international trade activities. He is the President of Canadian Homeopathic Inc. and Managing Director of Xclamation Enterprise. Canadian Homeopathic Inc. (CH) is a distributor of a wide variety of homeopathic remedies for an Indian homeopathic company (SBL Pvt. Ltd.). SBL is the leading homeopathic manufacturing company in India under the license of Bioron, France. Xclamation Enterprise is a global wholesaler of recycled and refurbished computers and medical equipments. They offer high quality computers and medical equipment at liquidation prices. Expertise in international trade activities, managing and motivating large retail, fleet and key account teams, analyzing their requirements, rendering technical guidance to the clients and help negotiate (commercially) orders.
Craig Atkinson, CITP
Craig Atkinson, a graduate of Bishop's University, has worked in international trade in a variety of capacities. Previously, he has held positions with the Australian Trade Commission and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service.
Mike Au, CITP
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) provides quality products and services for self-propelled wilderness-oriented recreation, such as hiking and mountaineering, at the lowest reasonable price in an informative, respectful manner. MEC is a member-owned co-operative striving for social and environmental leadership. Our purpose is to support people in achieving the benefit of wilderness-oriented recreation.
Ms. Avery is the National Export Regulations Advisor for IBM Canada. She is responsible for ensuring the trade compliance of IBM Canada and meeting the requirements of Canada Customs and other international customs organizations. She is active in many international projects having had multiple assignments in Europe and North America. Other responsibilities include overseeing the success of IBM’s export department, participation in trade associations, design and implementation of corporate compliance programs, business controls and audit procedures. Ms. Avery also provides education and consulting to various functions within the organization. She was appointed IBM’s Designated Official for the Controlled Goods Directorate in 2004. Ms. Avery has a degree in International Business from Centennial College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Management degree at Athabasca University. She completed the FITTskills Program on-line with Distinction in July 2002.
As an Associate in the International Business Development Group at Export Development Canada, Nadia specializes in Latin America. In her role, Nadia is responsible for the research that goes into developing market coverage strategies for the region and the implementation of business development activities in these markets. She also liaises with other Government Departments in many cross functional activities to assist Canadian companies discover and realize business opportunities in Latin America. Nadia completed her FITTskills program by exploring and profiting from all available training channels in Ottawa: Algonquin College, FITTskills on-line and through OCRI.
Since April 2001, Shahed Aziz has worked at the Bank of Nova Scotia, Ontario International Trade Services and is responsible for the issuance of import Letters of Credit, undertaking a thorough examination of documents and payment to negotiating bank/documents remitting bank. He has also worked in the Trade Finance and Correspondent Banking Department of Scotiabank´s Executive Office and was responsible for monitoring transactional business given to correspondents which included the bank´s nostro account, cash letter, collection and wire payments. Before joining The Bank of Nova Scotia, Shahed worked at Societe General (the bank), Credit Agricole Indosuez, National Bank of Pakistan and The City Bank Limited. He obtained his CITP in 2005 and his CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist) credential in 2003.
Mr Azzouzi has over 5 years of international trade experience in Canada and overseas. During his career he headed “Abimex International”, a consulting company, specialized in providing trade services to companies doing business between Canada and North Africa. He also worked as International Trade Officer for Global Development Group, where he provided international procurement services, international market development and import-export compliance of several assignments in Africa, South and Central Asia and South America. Mr Azzouzi´s areas of specialization are: International Business Transactions, International Commercial Law, Procurement for Governments, International Financial Institutions & UN Agencies. He currently works as International Trade Consultant for private and public sector clients. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Morocco, Master (LL.M) of International Law from Laval University in Québec. He is completing his Bachelor of Laws at Ottawa University. He is fluent in English, French, and Arabic. He received his CITP in 2007.
