Women Warriors Winning the Business Battle
Celebrating World Trade Month
Join us as we celebrate World Trade Month and explore international trade opportunities for growth and expansion. Participate in an in-depth conversation with Jessica Gordon, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth and Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director, Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat.
The U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, is the export promotion arm of the Department of Commerce and offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade. Companies can find assistance locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and in more than 70 international offices. CS programs and services encompass customized support in the following key areas: export promotion and trade facilitation, foreign direct investment, commercial diplomacy, and trade advocacy.
MEET OUR GUESTS:
Jessica Gordon
Jessica Gordon is the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth Office where she leads a team of industry-focused international trade specialists to assist small to medium-sized North Texas companies grow their businesses through launching an export business or increasing their sales in target markets around the globe. The Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth office is one of 100 plus U.S. Commercial Service offices around the nation dedicated to assisting U.S. companies to expand their businesses by exporting, through providing export counseling, business matchmaking services, market intelligence, commercial diplomacy, and trade advocacy.
In addition to heading the Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth office, Jessica serves as the Executive Secretary of the North Texas District Export Council (NTXDEC), the Commercial Service’s lead trade promotion partner of trade professionals appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to provide export assistance to the local business community. In her role as Executive Secretary, she serves as the chief U.S. Commercial Service liaison for NTXDEC engagement on international trade development issues and expanding the North Texas exporter assistance network. Jessica is a member of the Mayor’s Star Council, the World Affairs Council, the Global Chamber Advisory Board, and various professional and community organizations. A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Jessica graduated Magna Cum Laude and earned double degrees, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Spanish and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a focus in International Business, from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a graduate of the Else School of Management MBA Program at Millsaps College.
Prior to assuming the director position at Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth, Jessica served as an international trade specialist at the U.S. Commercial Service office in Jackson, MS for several years where she managed a diverse industry sector client portfolio (i.e. marine technology – underwater technology and equipment, shipbuilding; agribusiness; medical products and equipment; and automotive and transportation equipment) and helped U.S. firms complete millions of dollars in export sales transactions. Jessica specializes in market entry development, market research formulation and analysis, trade event promotion and development (i.e. seminars, trade conferences and missions), leveraging diversity, conflict resolution, coaching, leading change, and building coalitions.
Tricia Van Orden
Tricia Van Orden is the Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) Secretariat at the International Trade Administration (ITA) within the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this role, she coordinates trade promotion strategies across 20 federal agencies and among states and localities to improve the competitiveness of U.S. exporters. Ms. Van Orden has held several positions at ITA. She directed the President’s Export Council and the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. She also served as the Canada Desk Officer, where she was responsible for increasing access to the Canadian market for U.S. businesses. Ms. Van Orden previously worked at the Inter-American Development Bank, where she led training programs to increase the capacity of small businesses to access capital. She started her career as an aide in the U.S. Senate responsible for the foreign affairs, international trade, and defense portfolios. Ms. Van Orden earned a B.A. in Economics from Colorado State University, a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington, and a Masters in Public Policy from George Mason University. She is from Spokane, Washington.
WORLD TRADE MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES
Per WorldTradeMonth.com, May is World Trade Month in the United States and is an opportunity to recognize the importance of exporting to the U.S. economy and encourage U.S. businesses to begin or expand their export efforts.
U.S. exports of goods and services totaled $2.5 trillion in 2018 supporting 11.5 million U.S. jobs and accounting for nearly 13% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Of that, 97% of the nearly 300,000 U.S. companies that export are small- or medium-sized businesses, which the U.S. Census Bureau defines as having 500 or fewer employees.
Companies that export grow revenue and profits faster, are less likely to go out of business, and pay their workers more than companies that don’t. With 95% of the world’s consumers located outside the U.S., exports can help grow companies’ overall sales and profits, reduce their dependence on a single market, and extend the life of existing product lines.
Our 2021 Format includes the following:
11:00AM - 11:05AM - Welcome & Opening Remarks
11:05AM - 11:15AM - Speed Networking with a Twist
11:15AM - 11:20AM - $30 for the Best 30 Second Business Pitch.
11:20AM - 11:30AM - Wellness Wednesday -is now integrated into each monthly event to remind everyone that our health is the foundation of our wealth. Get ready for a series of engaging activities and conversations. Stephanie Baker-Jones, Founder/CEO, FaithRN Patient Advocates, USAR MAJ (RET), West Coast Director - Women Veterans ROCK!
Stephanie Baker-Jones is a retired Army nurse corps Major and Founder/CEO of Faith RN Patient Advocates. Her education company - LE-AL Productions R.E.A.L. Knowledge (Relevant Education And Lifelong), is a continuing education provider for the California board of registered nursing. This educator/author shares content on her website. https://www.faithrnpatientadvocates.com
FOCUS: Is there really such a thing as an optimum diet? If so, what are the components? Come and explore the best options for you and your body type.
Stephanie Baker-Jones,
11:35AM - 11:45PM - Introductions Partners & Sponsors
11:45PM - 12:00PM - Special Announcement & Keynote Introductions
12:00PM - 12:45PM - KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
2021 THEME: WOMEN HELPING WOMEN
To support our Women Helping Women theme, we have also launched a daily social media engagement campaign where you can post your business, share a tip to help another women conquer her challenges. This strategy is designed to move us beyond just sharing information, but getting to know each, our businesses, and our areas of expertise.
Start connecting Facebook Live monthly 1PM CST for:
Managing Mondays-First Mondays
Technology Tuesdays-2nd Tuesdays
Wellness Wednesdays-3rd Wednesdays
Trending Thursdays-4th Thursdays &
Financial First Fridays-5th Fridays
