Jose Manuel Castellon Alvarez is the CEO of IB7 Consulting Ltd., where he empowers Canadian SMEs to expand into North America through strategic co-branding and international partnerships. With a career spanning aerospace, electronics, and food industries, Jose brings cross-sector expertise and a proven ability to translate complex operational challenges into actionable strategies.

He holds an MBA from Audencia Business School in France, complemented by a strong background in international business and cross-cultural collaboration. His work integrates advanced logistics, branding, and market entry strategies, helping companies build credibility and thrive in competitive environments.

As a mentor and strategist, Jose champions sustainable growth and bridges cultures through business. His leadership at IB7 Consulting reflects a commitment to empowering organizations, fostering collaboration, and positioning Canadian enterprises as trusted partners in global trade.

As a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) and Managing Partner at The Recoup Group, Andrea provides assistance to companies in a wide range of industries to access the Scientific Research & Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit to fund the advancement of their technology. Prior to working in SR&ED, Andrea worked as an Engineer, participating in several of Canada’s leading Space and Defense projects. These include the opportunity to design the thermal system for CASSIOPE, a Canadian Space Agency commissioned satellite, oversight of the production and delivery of Black Brant sounding rockets utilized by NASA, management of the engineering projects and capital budgets for the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Program, and coordination of the procurement of structural components for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission at Magellan Aerospace.

Andrea feels strongly that investments in research are critical to global competitiveness and to creating and maintaining fulfilling career opportunities in Manitoba. In order to give back to the community she volunteers her time on several non-profit boards whose mandates align with investing in research for the economic benefit of the province. This includes serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for Research Manitoba, and as a director on West Canitest R&D (WestCaRD) and the Enterprise Machine Intelligence and Learning Initiative (EMILI).

Yewande is a Trade Advisor at World Trade Centre Winnipeg with extensive experience in international trade and banking. An MBA graduate and Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), she is passionate about helping Manitoba businesses navigate global markets and maximize trade opportunities through strategic advice and practical, results-driven support.

Tamir is a Trade Advisor at World Trade Centre Winnipeg, supporting Manitoba businesses in building connections with Canadian and international partners. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and brings a strong understanding of business strategy and international trade, driven by his passion for creative entrepreneurship and global business growth.

Rhonda’s experience in Customs spans over 30 years as a former Senior Officer Trade Compliance Officer, in the Trade Operations Division with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). She has worked as an educator to CBSA officers in Valuation, Tariff Classification, and Origin for a number of years, acquiring extensive knowledge in these areas. Rhonda is a strong advocate for trade compliance, championing comprehensive 360° reviews to ensure clients remain fully compliant.

Samantha has over 16 years of experience in the customs industry. For the past four years, she has found her home at GHY as a Client Care Manager. She holds the Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), Certified Trade Compliance Specialist (CTCS) designations and the Lean Yellow Belt certification, underscoring her commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement. Her proactive approach and dedication to client success have made her a trusted partner to both clients and colleagues.

Victor is a seasoned Supply Chain professional with over 15 years of expertise in supply chain management and international trade, having held strategic positions throughout his career. His extensive experience spans global operations, delivering significant cost reductions and operational enhancements.

Notable achievements include outsourcing an entire Distribution Centre and spearheading international strategic sourcing projects in Europe, the USA, and China. Additionally, he has successfully implemented technology to enhance logistics and transportation efficiencies.

Victor holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, a Diploma in Business Administration, and two professional designations: SCMP (Supply Chain Management Professional) and CITP (Certified International Trade Professional). He is a committed professional with a critical-thinking mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for improvement.

Victor is eager to share his knowledge and coach individuals in the field, fostering growth and innovation.

Tim Brewer is a highly experienced logistics and supply chain professional with over two decades of expertise in transportation, warehousing, and operations management. As the Co-Owner and Founder of CentreCan Supply Chain Solutions Inc., he specializes in optimizing supply chains, implementing industry-leading logistics strategies, and mentoring the next generation of supply chain leaders.

With a track record of leading large-scale projects, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and driving operational efficiency, Tim has built a reputation for delivering strategic solutions that enhance business performance. His extensive experience spans trucking, rail, air, warehousing, distribution, and specialized freight, making him a trusted advisor for companies seeking to streamline their operations and improve supply chain visibility. In 2014, Tim was hired by The History Channels “Ice Road Truckers” as a Transportation Consultant during the 8th season.
Tim has held several senior leadership roles, including Director of Operations, Western Canada, Senior Director of Logistics & Warehouse, and Senior Director of Operations.

Tim has successfully led a variety of high-impact projects, notably during the Covid-19 pandemic where he designed and executed the logistical framework throughout Western Canada for time-sensitive sample collection and shipping to testing facilities in Winnipeg and Brampton. Tim worked closely with provincial governments, Transport Canada and all major airlines during the pandemic to ensure that Covid samples and Variants of Concern were shipped according to IATA standards. During this time over three million critical sample shipments with precision and compliance.

Ignacio Ledesma joined the World Trade Centre Winnipeg in November 2024, bringing over seven years of experience in international trade. Originally from Argentina, Ignacio holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a postgraduate certification in International Business. Since moving to Winnipeg in 2021, Ignacio has been leveraging his bilingual fluency in English and Spanish to help businesses connect with global markets. With a proven track record in managing imports and exports across diverse industries, he thrives on building relationships and sharing innovative ideas with entrepreneurs. Passionate about traveling, businesses, and meeting people, Ignacio is dedicated to helping Manitoba businesses navigate international opportunities with enthusiasm and expertise.

Alain is an Advisor with the Community Engagement team at GS1 Canada. This new division was created in early 2022 with the main objective of supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs get their products to market quickly and efficiently.

Part of his mandate is to work closely with Trade Associations and Educational Institutions alike. The goal being to support, educate and familiarize their members with GS1 Global Standards emphasizing the importance of minimizing start up and scale up hurdles along the way. As a previous business owner in Wholesale Packaging & Distribution, he truly enjoys sharing his experience and building relationships which bodes well in this role.