Meet Our CITPs - Z

 Yi, Zeng, CITP

Born and raised in China, Yi studied his undergraduate program in investment in China. With ten years of experience in banking and human resource management in China, Yi moved to Saskatchewan in 2004 to further pursue his education. Two years later, he attained his Masters degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Regina.

In October 2009, Yi joined Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership as a Trade Specialist, focusing on the Asia and Africa markets. Part of his job is to promote Saskatchewan’s products, technology, and service to countries across the Asia and Africa region. Prior to this, he spent three years with the Government of Saskatchewan, serving as an Economic Advisor and Business Immigration Officer under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.

Gustavo Zentner is the President of InterPOC Inc.  He is responsible for all strategic business plans and corporate objectives designed for InterPOC Inc.’s clients and associates. Mr. Zentner, on behalf of InterPOC, represents Mexican companies and entities in Canada, and is former Director of the NASCO Secretariat, Province of Manitoba. He assisted with industry and governments in consultations with Mexico, United States, and Canada.  Previously, he worked with the government of Manitoba to enhance trade and business relations with Mexico. Gustavo has worked in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Israel, and communicates fluently in four languages.  While working abroad in several industries, he has assisted clients to set up successful dealer/agent relations and has provided support on both legal and financial aspects of international trade.  Additionally, he has facilitated the development of business and marketing plans for companies in the private sector of MERCOSUR (Southern Common Markets, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Chile). Gustavo has training in International Relations, Marketing, Business, and Organization Leadership and is a volunteer at several local and international organizations.  He has access to senior business leaders and government officials in several Latin American countries and has worked with various NAFTA agencies.  He has been a guest speaker at several international conferences focused on trade, business development, and market integration.

Ms. Zhang, a certified international trade professional, who has over 10 years practical expereince in strategic global sourcing as well as international market development. Her expertise also includes international investment consulting and coordination. With her extensive knowledge of Chinese governmental foreign investment policies, Grace has successfully helped several large multi-national companies set up headquarters and manufacturing facilities in China. She also supported a mayor-led business delegation to China. She has worked in Asia, North America, Europe and Southern Africa. Grace has a Bachelor Degree in Management and diplomas of international trade issued in Canada and China. Grace is a proactive team player with demonstrated skills of cross cultural communication, ability to adapt quickly to work in different countries, and fluent in English and Mandarin.

Ms. Helena Zheng is successful business professional who has 10 years of experience in Import/export business management and supplier sourcing operations for both Chinese and US companies. Ms. Zheng had conducted overseas sourcing and purchase at the annual amount of US$10 million for Hoist Fitness Systems (US company) and successfully handled many different challenges to maintain the competitive purchase prices for the company. Ms. Zheng also worked for Qingdao Impulse Group Company (Chinese company) where she headed the sales and marketing efforts as an international business manager which generated annual revenues of US$30 million. In addition she was the main contact for major customers and effectively negotiated contracts with international customers. She currently works as a buyer at Spicebox (Canada Company) where she manages purchasing and importing activities. She has a Master Degree in Business Management from China and an International Trade Diploma from FITT which she completed at British Columbia Institute of Technology in Vancouver. She has also obtained the CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) designation from FITT.

Mr. Ziola has been with the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) since June 1998. As a member of STEP’s Trade Development Team, Mr. Ziola works with STEP manufacturing members to increase their business presence in the North American marketplace namely through extensive consultations, the organization of business development missions and the hosting of incoming buyers programs. Prior to his tenure at STEP, Mr. Ziola spent four years working in Sales and Marketing and Management with a prominent Saskatchewan manufacturing company of agricultural and light industrial equipment: Leon-Ram Enterprises Inc. of Yorkton.

Rob is a member of the Forum for International Trade Training and received his CITP designation in June of 2002. Mr. Ziola also participates in many export development organizations and committees.

Mr. Ziola resides in Saskatoon with his wife Candis and daughters, Jansen and Layne.