Please join OWIT-Ottawa and Cowater International for a presentation on business opportunities in Peru, Colombia, Paraguay and across the Asia-Pacific region and a roundtable discussion about current projects and tips on how to build a team to compete successfully for projects.

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Speakers

Samantha Torrance 

Executive VP, Governance and Economic Reform Cowater International 

Dr. Samantha Torrance has a PhD in Economics and over 10 years of experience advising developing country governments on all aspects of public financial management in sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific. Establishing robust public financial management and accountability systems are crucial for sustainable economic development, as well as reducing aid dependence; whether focused on budgeting, expenditure or revenue generation, these government functions have an impact on public service delivery, encouraging private sector investment and improving infrastructure. Samantha has extensive experience in the design and implementation of technical assistance projects, with a particular expertise in revenue mobilisation and the operations and governance of revenue authorities. Prior to joining Cowater, Samantha was Head of Public Financial management at Adam Smith International; directing a substantial portfolio of projects most notably in East Africa and Somalia.

Phil Rourke

Project Director, EDM and CTIF

Phil Rourke has 25 years of practical experience in delivering professional training courses and institutional capacity building projects on trade policy and negotiation issues in all regions of the world. He is a lecturer in trade policy and trade negotiations at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) at Carleton University and the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. Currently, Phil is Project Director for the Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (CTIF), a seven-year technical assistance fund to assist Asia-Pacific developing countries with their trade and development strategies. He is also Project Director for the Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM), a seven-year technical assistance fund to assist Canada’s developing country trading partners with the design, negotiation, and implementation of their trade agreement strategies with Canada. Phil is co-instructor with Rosemina of CTPL’s trade negotiation courses for the UK Department for International Trade. He is also International Co-Trainer on the EU Arise Plus Project for Cambodia, supported by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ). Phil holds an M.B.A. from Queen’s University in Kingston (1992) and an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University (1989).

Ann Penner

President, Three Point Perspectives and former Member, Canadian International Trade Tribunal

Ann founded Three Point Perspectives, a privately owned and operated consulting firm, in 2019. It provides a wide range of strategic advice and services in the areas of trade policy, trade negotiations and trade law. Between 2013 and 2019, she served as a Permanent Member of the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) and decided many complex cases in the areas of trade remedies, procurement, customs and excise appeals. In addition to her adjudicative role at the CITT, she took a leadership position in the Tribunal’s internal governance structure as co-chair of the CITT’s Outreach Committee. In 2008, she founded AEP Communications, a privately owned and operated communications consulting firm, providing government and private sector clients with communications advice and material to convey complex policy options. From 1996 to 2006, she worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Multilateral Trade Policy Division.

Pernille Fischer Boulter

CEO and Founder, Kisserup International Trade Roots

As the founder of Kisserup International Trade Roots Canada Inc., Kisserup Europe and Kisserup Arctic, Pernille has a proven track record of over 25 years of international business experience. She provides advisory services, project management, trade training and consulting services to International Financial Institutions, public and private sector organizations worldwide. Pernille is a Certified International Trade Professional, CITP by the Forum for International Trade Training in Ottawa, Canada, holds a Certificate in Leadership and Innovation from INSEAD, France, she is a Certified facilitator in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method, holds a Certificate in Project Management from Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, Canada and Master of Business from the Copenhagen School of Business. In 2019 she was appointed to the Halifax International Airport Authority Board of Directors. In 2018 and in 2021 she was elected to the Canadian International Association of Development Professionals. In 2018 she was appointed a Member of the Atlantic Growth Advisory Board. In 2014 she was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada by Women of Influence®.

Vicki Campbell

Senior Program Manager, EDM

Vicki Campbell is a Senior Project Manager at Cowater International and manages the Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development (EDM), a seven-year trade and development project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The EDM project provides technical assistance to selected ODA-eligible trading partners around the world to maximize the positive development impacts of their trade and investment agreements with Canada. Vicki is a seasoned program manager with over 20 years of experience managing projects around the globe in a variety of sectors including trade, public sector reform, education, and health. Prior to joining Cowater International, Vicki worked at the World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

John Karalis

Program Manager, Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+)

John Karalis is an experienced program manager with 10 years of experience working in international development. As a Program Manager on the Customs, Trade and Investment Climate Team (CTIC) at Cowater International, he has worked on customs reform, trade facilitation, and strengthening of business enabling environments. Prior to joining Cowater International, John worked for the Parliamentary Centre, a not- for-profit organisation, focused on reinforcing the essential functions of legislatures (oversight, representation, and legislation) to enable countries to reach their full democratic potential. John has successfully delivered projects in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe for various donors including the EU, FCDO, and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). He holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs, specialising in European, Russian and Eurasian Affairs, from Carleton University and a second Master’s Degree in Russian History from the University of Western Ontario.