Jean-Yves Lavoie is a Shanghai-based market analyst and business development manager at KPMG China, specializing in multinational companies. Having lived in China for a decade, he brings a practical, on-the-ground perspective on how foreign companies are navigating China today, with a focus on where real commercial opportunities exist. In his previous roles, Jean-Yves was Research Manager at the China-Britain Business Council, after which he was an event organizer and program manager at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jean-Yves holds a bachelor’s degree in political studies from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree in international relations from Renmin University of China in Beijing. A native French and English speaker, Jean-Yves is also highly proficient in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese.

Jeff has over 25 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services.

Prior to joining CCBC, Jeff worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted several Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.

Jeff has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He has also been a guest speaker at professional business associations in China and Canada.

Claude Gendron is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in international trade and customer acquisition. He currently serves as the Director of Customer Acquisition and Outreach at the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).

With more than 24 years of experience with the Government of Canada, including 14 years at Global Affairs Canada in international trade and security, Claude has developed a deep understanding of foreign markets, government procurement, and effective collaboration with federal and provincial partners.

He holds master’s degrees in management from Harvard University and HEC Montréal, supplemented by executive training from MIT Sloan School of Management, the Yale School of Management, and Harvard Business School Online. Claude is also a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) with FITT.

His multidisciplinary background provides a strong foundation for navigating complex international environments and advancing collaborative solutions. At CCC, Claude leads national outreach and engagement efforts. His work focuses on building strong, trustbased relationships with Canadian industry, federal partners, and international stakeholders. He plays a central role in supporting governmenttogovernment contracts that help Canadian exporters succeed in global markets.

Drew Friesen is a fractional CMO focused on providing marketing leadership for businesses in the ag and manufacturing space. With a focus on data and customer insights, Drew works to build a marketing strategy aligned with your business goals, and then works along side you to execute it with your team, leveling up your team along the way.

Over the last 3 years, Drew has worked with businesses to create $23million in marketing-generated revenue, and recouped and reallocated $150k+ of wasted ad spend.

2x founder with one successful exit, Juliano is currently the Program Manager for the Virtual Trade Accelerator, a program delivered by NRC IRAP and Tech Manitoba, helping Canadian companies scale internationally.

Tamir is a Trade Advisor at World Trade Centre Winnipeg, supporting Manitoba businesses in expanding globally. With a B.A. in Economics and international startup experience gained in the Netherlands, he helps companies build successful strategies for new markets. He is passionate about creative entrepreneurship and is actively exploring how AI business strategies can be implemented to drive growth.

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.