GLOBAL TRADE
Nearshoring Investment and Solutions
AGENDA
11:00 AM - 11:50 PM Registration Opens Meet, Greet & Network
11:50 AM - 12:00 PM
12:00 PM - 12:25 PM
Welcoming Remarks
Julian Cañete, President & CEO
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Veronica Corona, Madame Chairman
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Oscar Garcia, Senior Vice President
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
12:25 PM - 12:50 PM
Panelist Introductions
Victor Marquez, Vice President (Moderator) CUSMEX
Alicia Rios, Director
U.S. Commercial Service - Bakersfield
Jonathan Brady, Lead Business Development Specialist EXIM Bank
Kimberley Vuitel, Director of Trade Services World Trade Center - Northern California
Pellson Lau, Lead Export Finance Manager
U.S. Small Business Administration
12:50 PM - 1:50 PM Fireside Chat
1:50 PM - 2:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Veronica Corona, Madam Chairman California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Veronica Corona is a dynamic Business Consultant, esteemed community influencer, bilingual public speaker, and fervent champion of leadership. As the former Founder & CEO of a Multimillion-dollar janitorial company, she brings unmatched industry insights to our clients.
She is passionate about delivering her expert guidance to propel leadership growth and achieve goals, all while making a lasting impact on diversity and community enrichment for the next generation of leaders. Today she coaches small business owners to navigate the challenges, scale their business and do business presentations with confidence. Her success is based heavily on her ability to partner with business leaders while building relationships.
Veronica is also an Award- winning entrepreneur who has been honored by several organizations like: LA Opinion, California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Lifestyle, Ford en Español, National Latina Business-Women Association ~ NLBWA-LA, and the National Association of BusinessWomen Owners ~ NAWBO-LA
With a strong desire to give back, she currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board for the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the largest Hispanic business organizations in the state. Where since 2016, she has been leading initiatives for women entrepreneurs. Something she is very passionate about as an entrepreneur herself.
Past president (2012-2014) of the National Latina Businesswomen Association (NLBWA)Los Angeles Chapter. Served on the board for 6 years and current Advisory. In addition, she is a current Board member for the City of Los Angeles Work Force Development, Advisory Board Member- for NEW Women’s Business Center and Business Advisor for the Dr. Yasmin Davidds Global Institute Leadership Entrepreneurial program. A testament of her unwavering dedication.
With a prestigious Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) accolade from Toastmasters International. She has been a keynote speaker, served and moderated panels and has been mistress of ceremonies. She is now a Public Speaking Coach where she assists others develop high level skills when presenting or doing public speaking. Being aligned with her purpose of empowering, educating, supporting, and advocating for small business and future leaders is what keeps her motivated.
Julian Cañete, President & CEO
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Julian Cañete serves as the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Through its network of over 120 Hispanic chambers and business associations, the CHCC is a leading voice on issues impacting business in California. The mission of the CHCC is to foster economic growth, creating and
sustaining prosperity benefiting California’s economy and communities.
Julian previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as President and CEO of CHCC from 1999 – 2006 and again from 2009-2012.
He is currently a member of the California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Board, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy (CARE), CalTrans Small Business Council, CA Secretary of State Voters’ Choice Act Task Force, the SBDC Northern CA Network Advisory Board, T-Mobile California External Diversity Sub-Council, and the CalVet Foundation.
Oscar Garcia, Senior Vice President | Director
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
CA Hispanic SBDC Regional Center
Oscar Garcia is the Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Director of the CA Hispanic SBDC Regional Center; he is widely recognized for his contributions to Northern California’s entrepreneurial community.
He plays a key role in strategic business planning and development education, technical assistance, and capital infusion for business growth and expansion. Additionally, Oscar is a trusted leader in the small business community where he helps business owners understand and follow the path to starting and growing a successful business.
For his contributions to the business community, he has been recognized by the California House of Representatives, State Assembly, and the Senate. He was presented with the Counselor of the Year award by the SBA District Office and SCORE organization.
Victor Marquez, Vice President CUSMEX
Victor M. Marquez’ practice focuses on real estate transactions, land use and zoning laws, real estate, business and general commercial litigation, state and local government relations, and community outreach specialization in the context of land development and redevelopment for both private companies, property owners, and nonprofit organizations.
As a public policy advisor and registered lobbyist, Mr. Marquez assists his clients on public policy matters at the local, state, and federal government levels as well as internationally having worked on projects in Mexico, Canada, Singapore, and in the EU and its Member States. He serves as a business advisor to clients in various industries and sectors, including, the manufacturing/supply chain sectors on a global level; the housing, infrastructure, construction, hospitality; sports, health care, and the cannabis industry.
Alicia Rios, Director U.S. Commercial Service – Bakersfield
During her 23-year career in international trade, Alicia Rios has more than made her mark in the field leading over 250 high-level inbound and outbound trade missions with 30 different countries. Alicia’s international trade experience extends to Mexico, Central/Latin America, Canada, Europe, South Korea, China, India, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.
Alicia joined the U.S. Commercial Service as the Bakersfield Director after 20 years at the California Center for International Trade Development (CITD). She brings with her extensive experience building partnerships across industry, government, education, and other sectors, particularly related to global trade and economic development with focus in Agribusiness, eCommerce, Education, Manufacturing and Irrigation. Alicia supports businesses located in the Central Valley communities in Kern, Tulare, Kings, Inyo and Mono Counties.
Alicia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Business from California State University, Fresno and is fluent in Spanish.
athan Brady, Lead Business Development Specialist ort-Import Bank Of The United States
Jonathan Brady is a Business Development Specialist with the Minority Export- and Women-Owned Business (MWOB) Outreach Group at the Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). Based in Washington, DC, his business development role with the MWOB Outreach Group is to serve as the primary liaison for Hispanic business organizations and Veteran business organizations at the national, state, and local levels.
Jonathan possesses a strong background in international relations and economics from having worked for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the U.S. Treasury Department (International Banking Office), and ten years with the Ohio Department of Development's International Trade Division. Before joining EXIM, Jonathan worked at ExportDC, a division of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Promoted to Program Manager in 2015, his primary responsibilities consisted of administering business support grants for DC-based exporters, organizing trade missions, providing export counseling services, conducting international business seminars, and coordinating special projects with the foreign embassies located in the District of Columbia. Jonathan holds a B.A. and Master of Financial Economics (MFE) from Ohio University, and is a 2009 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, with a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP).
Kimberley Vuitel, Director of Trade Services
World Trade Center Northern California
Kimberley is focused on developing and implementing international trade programs & events in support of the WTCNC's overall strategic goals.
Previously, Kimberley served as Export Trade Specialist at the World Trade Center St. Louis working to identify and support new exporters with a strong focus on minority, women, and immigrant-owned businesses.
Earlier, Kimberley spent 17 years working with Victorinox, the Swiss Army Knife company. She served as VP, of International Sales and later, as Director of Product Management. She led the team responsible for growing international business from 15% to 35% of company revenue and conceived & directed the go-to-market strategy for the launch of Wenger Travel Gear (a Victorinox brand) in 30+ new international markets.
Other interests include serving as Board Chair at CASA of St.Louis which advocates with the courts for children in foster cases. Kimberley earned a BS in Business from Towson University in Baltimore and her MBA from Northeastern University in Boston.
Pellson Lau, Lead Export Finance Manager
Small Business Administration
Pellson Lau is currently serving as the Lead Export Finance Manager at the Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) whose mission is to enhance the ability of small businesses to compete in the global marketplace. Based at the U.S. Export Assistance Center - Los Angeles (USEAC), he oversees the Southern California territories. With an extensive background in the banking industry, Pellson brings a wealth of experience in international trade operations, commercial lending, credit review, and
PellsonholdsaMasterofBusinessAdministrationfromtheUniversityofSouthern California,andhehasalsoobtainedaBankingDiplomafromTheLondonInstituteof Banking&Finance,formerlyknownasIFSSchoolofFinanceintheUnitedKingdom.In addition,hehasearnedaCertificateinPersonalFinancialPlanningfromtheUniversityof CaliforniaLosAngelesandaCertificateofExcellenceintheGovernmentFellowsProgram fromthePartnershipforPublicService HeisalsoanenrolledagentlicensedbytheUS InternalRevenueService administration, as well as expertise in various government loan guarantee programs offered by the SBA and the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Supporting Agencies
