News

Dr. Dambia and Jhpiego Drive Heath Interventions

April 1, 2018 - One morning in Pabre, a village about 15 miles from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, a small country in West Africa, more than 100 women waited anxiously for a white minibus. On the bus were nurses and midwives ready to screen and treat for cervical cancer. On the bus as well was an examination table, a nitrous oxide gas tank and medical supplies. For most women, it was an introduction to cancer screening; for many, their first access to medical care. How the clinic on wheels came to be in a remote part of Africa represents the mission of Baltimore-based Jhpiego. A global health provider and technical assistance agency in more than 50 countries, Jhpiego develops low-cost solutions – like the cervical cancer screening method relying on simple vinegar and delivered in a specially equipped mobile van – to address complex health problems. Working with governments, NGOs, foundations and corporations, Jhpiego strengthens health systems by improving health care delivery services. It focuses on maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS, infection prevention, malaria, tuberculosis, as well as support to health care providers and community education. Through its work, Jhpiego provided care and treatment in 2016 to more than 13 million people worldwide. Far from Pabre, in the United States, the Pap test – with specialized instruments and lab testing – is the gold standard for detecting cervical cancer, preventable through early detection and treatment but fatal if undiagnosed. By contrast, in developing countries such as Burkina Faso, there are few labs, even fewer costly instruments and little time to wait for test results. The accessibility gap is one of many public health factors that drive the work of Jhpiego and Alain Damiba, M.D., its energetic senior vice president of technical leadership and global programs. “When we wake up, our focus is to figure out a way to get high-impact interventions to people with low resources in developing countries,” says Damiba. For example, seeking an alternative way to diagnose cervical cancer – which strikes 270,000 women annually, 90 percent in developing countries – Jhpiego worked with the local government and community leaders, Damiba explains, to develop a single visit approach like that in Pabre: during one visit, a patient would receive a visual exam of the cervix, followed by treatment of any precancerous lesions using a cryotherapy machine that does not require plugging into a power source. “This is critical because in a country of 20 million, we know that approximately 20 percent are women between 15 and 49, putting four million women at risk for cervical cancer.” Read More

The Daily Record Features WTCI Board Member

March 25, 2018 - Kelly Hardy Partner, Global Co-Head, Consumer Industry Sector, Hogan Lovells Board Member, World Trade Center Institute How did you choose your career path? My mother was a real estate development lawyer. It was a career she chose after having a family, and she had a real passion for it – working until the very end of her life because she loved it. When I was thinking about careers, she told me that as a lawyer in private practice she effectively ran her own small business and was responsible for its success. Although I had no illusions about the hard work required to succeed as a lawyer, I knew that it would allow me a level of independence to pursue topics I found interesting and, in a sense, create my own job. It would provide me with the opportunity to work with highly intelligent and interesting people on a daily basis. What obstacles did you face, and how did you overcome them? Looking back on my career, two particularly challenging times come to mind. In 2008, at the height of the Great Recession, the demand for legal services dried up, and as a relatively new partner I was still largely dependent on internal referrals for my work. I had to learn very quickly to improve my own ability to create new client relationships. More recently, after nearly 20 years at the same firm, I decided that Hogan Lovells offered better opportunities for me to serve my clients and do the type of work I wanted to do. What lessons did you learn? Persistence, hard work, and having a plan pay off. No matter how bad a day might be, you have to focus on what you are going to do the next day, and the day after that, until you reach your goal. I also learned not to let too much of my self-identity get wrapped up in my professional success. The challenges of building a practice during the Great Recession really made me think about the many things that are important to me. When I came to Hogan Lovells, I learned that taking risks, and occasionally failing, can lead to increased confidence and success. I really began to understand that failures are learning experiences. After taking the big risk of moving my entire practice, I am much more willing to pursue opportunities and take risks. How do you maintain your passion for the job? It’s simple. I love what I do. Every day brings something different, and I enjoy the intellectual challenges that brings with it. Just as important are the interactions with my amazing colleagues and the clients I’ve developed relationships with over the years. Hogan Lovells has been in Baltimore 30 years this year, and that sort of longevity isn’t an accident. What’s next for you, personally or professionally? Personally, I am a year and a half away from my youngest child starting college. That will be a big adjustment, but my husband and I are really enjoying seeing both of our children become young adults. Professionally, I have just taken on the role of global co-head of the Consumer Industry Sector at Hogan Lovells and I am looking forward to working with my team to develop industry knowledge and tools to better understand and serve our clients. What advice do you have for younger women hoping to follow your career path? You can do this. That was one of the things my mother taught me, and she entered the profession at a time when there weren’t many women role models and peers. Not only can you do this, but you can be defined by more than your career. You can have a family and get involved in your community. In addition to my work and my family commitments, I am active in The World Trade Center Institute, which gives me an opportunity to network with some of the top companies and talent in Maryland and also gives me access to ongoing educational programs. I’m also involved in SEED School of Maryland, where I am a trustee, and on the board of a nonprofit organization in Mexico. I find that these different activities complement one another, broaden my perspective, and provide excellent personal and professional contacts. There is time for everything as long as I enjoy the non-work related activities and treat them as my leisure activities. Read More

Eddie Resende Brings the World to Baltimore

November 17, 2017 - Baltimore is often thought of as a small town, where everyone already knows one another. But the city and the state of Maryland are thriving hubs of international activity, with a major seaport and airport serving businesses that do business overseas or are foreign-owned — and are looking for new opportunities. To help with that, there is the World Trade Center Institute, an international business education organization headquartered in Baltimore’s World Trade Center. The institute showcases what’s already here to attract new business and offers training and networking possibilities to those just wading into international waters. That international focus was what attracted Eddie Resende, who was born in Brazil and came with his family to the United States 23 years ago. “I was looking for a position, and I applied and knew right away it was where I wanted to work,” said Resende, who is now the group’s vice president of operations. He interned twice at the institute while earning a degree from Towson University in international business, found a job at a Hunt Valley telecommunications company and then returned to Brazil to see family and work for a nonprofit. He found his place back in Baltimore at the institute, where he puts his language, cultural and business skills to work helping develop and run programs for the local business community. The institute was founded in 1989 by then-Gov. William Donald Schaefer and the chairman of the architectural firm RTKL Associates, Harold Adams, and it offers dozens of programs a year. On a trade mission to Asia, they had learned that even the most experienced corporate leaders may not understand how international business works. Resende said the world has become more connected over time, but it’s also grown more complex. People can learn some basics just by logging onto their computers, but the institute has an important role in building relationships and helping business leaders understand the latest developments in foreign economies and culture, transportation logistics and supply chains, for example. But perhaps most importantly, the institute helps build relationships, he said. The institute connects people in industry with others who may help a company grow by finding new avenues for products and services. And a new program this summer will offer training and business networking opportunities to 30 internationally minded college students. “We want to develop and keep talent local,” Resende said. “We can show them they can work for McCormick or Under Armour or another local company.” Next, Resende said he hopes to channel his enthusiasm for nonprofit work and international business by connecting local business leaders with local service organizations to help tackle some of the world’s social problems. He said he’ll still have time to continue his own education. He’s pursuing an MBA from Georgetown University. And he’ll still indulge his passions for outdoor sports, cooking and visiting the country’s national parks with his wife of 10 years, Katie Hussong. “We’re always looking at new opportunities,” Resende said of the institute. “We want to continue to grow and expand and be of service.” Read More

WTC Baltimore EDGE Program Welcomes its 2nd Class

August 23, 2016 - BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - Last fall, with generous support from the Bowe-Stewart Foundation, the World Trade Center Baltimore (World Trade Center Institute) launched the Emerging & Developing Global Executives (EDGE) Program, a 10-month international leadership development program. The mission of the EDGE Program is to cultivate a group of emerging global executives in Baltimore who will ultimately contribute to greater success and growth for the region’s international business community. Throughout the program, the participants, or Bowe Fellows, experience sessions with leading business professionals, gain cross-cultural training, and attend WTC Baltimore international business networking events. In addition to the valuable learning, each Bowe Fellow is able to form truly valuable relationships with the other participants and speakers alike. Within the past year, the EDGE Program has become the region’s premier learning opportunity for rising business leaders who want to enhance their understanding of international business. Included in the program are executives from some of the largest employers in Maryland, such as Under Armour, Johns Hopkins, Grace, BD Diagnostics, Northrop Grumman, Legg Mason, and others. WTC Baltimore seeks to develop a diverse group of globally minded leaders from the Baltimore area who have had significant career trajectories towards international business, and who want to bring back more knowledge of the global arena to their companies. The inaugural year of the EDGE Program consisted of 19 Bowe Fellows. As the program continues to grow and become more competitive, WTC Baltimore is proud to have 25 Fellows participate in the Class of 2017, beginning in September. WTC Baltimore is thrilled for the second year of the EDGE Program with the new Class of 2017, and can’t wait to see everything they will accomplish! To learn more about WTC Baltimore, click on the source link below. Read More

Baltimore Sun features WTC Baltimore IVLP Program

October 23, 2015 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - Baltimore Sun highlighted The World Trade Center Baltimore's International Visitor Leadership Program in regards to a meeting where 11 international visitors met with 300 Men March organization. During the meeting, the visitors met with Munir Bahar, co-founder of Baltimore's 300 Men March in order to discuss methods of countering violence and extremism. To view the original article, click on the source link below: Read More

Embassy Night featured on The Washington Diplomat

October 22, 2015 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - The World Trade Center Baltimore annual event, Embassy Night, was featured on The Washington Diplomat's article entitled: "Embassy Night 2015: Maryland is open for business." The article highlighted the keynote speaker, Maryland Secretary of State, John Wobensmith, breakout sessions as well as delegate representatives. To view the original article, click on the source link below: Read More

Interview Features WTC Baltimore's EDGE Program

August 24, 2015 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - Citybizlist and Houpla, Inc. met with Ellicott Dredges President and CEO Peter Bowe for an inside look into WTC Baltimore's new multi-year Emerging & Developing Global Executives (EDGE) Program. The mission of the EDGE Program is to cultivate a group of emerging global executives in Baltimore who will ultimately contribute to greater success and growth for Baltimore area international businesses. To view the full interview on Citybizlists's website, click on the source link below: Read More

WTC Baltimore Boosting International Business

July 27, 2015 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - The husband-and-wife team of Peter Bowe and Barbara Stewart imported a little Chicago flavor to try to boost Baltimore's international business scene. Bowe is the president of Ellicott Dredge Enterprises LLC on Bush Street in Baltimore, a heavy manufacturing company with major sales in international markets. Stewart was an executive at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Chicago until 2010 and now serves as executive director of the couple's Bowe-Stewart Foundation. When they started talking last fall about helping Baltimore-area companies increase their international business capabilities, they decided to bring their two worlds together. The result is a new training program for mid-level managers starting in September and being run by Baltimore's nonprofit World Trade Center Baltimore. Called the Emerging and Developing Global Executives, or EDGE program, it's loosely modeled after the well-known Chicago Council on Global Affairs' Emerging Leaders Program. "We wanted to promote Baltimore as an international city and Baltimore as an international economy," said Bowe, who is also a director at the World Trade Center Baltimore. "There's no reason why we can't." The Chicago Council on Global Affairs worked with the World Trade Center Institute to help it construct the EDGE program, Stewart said. The Baltimore program ended up different in key ways from its Chicago predecessor. It's shorter, set to last ten months instead of two years. And it's tailored to meet the needs of businesses in the local market. "I think it's more focused on Baltimore-oriented companies," Stewart said. "And I think it's a little bit more business focused, where the Chicago Council is maybe a little more current events focused." The Baltimore program will include sessions on global strategy, negotiation, marketing, finance and supply chains. It also has small-group meetings with global executives scheduled, along with speakers from companies like Lockheed Martin, Under Armour Inc. and Ciena Corp. To learn more about the EDGE Program visit the original article by the BBJ here. Visit www.wtci.org to learn more about World Trade Center Baltimore. Original article written by Rick Seltzer, Reporter Baltimore Business Journal Read More

Educating Maryland's Women In Business

June 25, 2015 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - On June 2nd, the World Trade Center Baltimore held its 9th Annual Women Spanning the Globe Leadership Conference at the American Visionary Art Museum. This all-day event was attended by over 300 women from across the Baltimore/Washington region who came to network, gain insights from their peers and hear from the event's highly influential speakers. Women Spanning the Globe began in 2007 when WTCI President Deborah Kielty and Jhpiego CEO Leslie Mancuso saw a need for a women-only event that would educate, connect, engage and inspire women who face challenges in the male-dominated workforce both in the U.S. and abroad. Over the last nine years, Women Spanning the Globe has become one of WTC Baltimore's most anticipated events with its premier networking opportunities for attendees, insightful and influential speaker lineup, and relevant topics that reflect the state of the workforce and women's issues globally. While this event focuses on educating women of all levels in the workforce it also celebrates the global achievements of all whom have the opportunity to attend. Topics featured at this year’s event included "Developing Executive Presence for Impact and Influence – Here and Abroad", "Business and Cultural Practices Around the World", "Closing the Gender Gap – What’s Working Around the World", "Social Media Savvy – Trends Around the World" and "Lead Like a Woman – One Man’s Take". Propelling these topics were the event's twelve guest speakers with extensive industry experience who delivered thought-provoking and insightful advice and learnings on the state of women in global business. This year's Women Spanning the Globe speakers included senior executives from Lee Hecht Harrison, Jhpiego, Chesapeake Bay Candle, P&G, P&G - COVERGIRL, Federation of Women and Development, MyCity4Her, Murthy Law Firm, Prometric, Legg Mason, Women Presidents’ Organization – Baltimore & ZENITH II and the American Visionary Art Museum. More information about the event can be found on the event website. Read More

World Trade Center Baltimore Celebrates 25 Years

November 21, 2014 - BALTIMORE, MD, USA - On December 3rd, the World Trade Center Baltimore will celebrate its past and its future at its’ 25th Anniversary Embassy Wine Tasting and State of the Ports Address. This event will feature an international wine tasting, food from four continents, raffles and more. As part of this celebration, Maryland’s Secretary of Transportation will deliver the State of the Ports Address which highlights WTCI’s close partnership with the Port of Baltimore. WTC Baltimore and the Port of Baltimore share history, a building, and the vision to make Maryland a center of International business. It all started 25 years ago when, on a visit to the World Trade Center in Taiwan, Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer found the solution to a problem that had long vexed him: how the government could better serve Maryland’s International businesses. He knew that the state alone could not meet the needs of the private sector so he approached Harold Adams about forming the World Trade Center Baltimore. Today, Harold Adams remains the Chairman of the World Trade Center Baltimore, and WTC Baltimore's partnership with the state and the private sector has never been stronger. WTC Baltimore is proud that many of the original member companies and board members are still with the organization and that their partners at the state remain strong supporters. Over the last 25 years WTC Baltimore's vision is vindicated as they have attracted many of the region’s emerging global business leaders. To learn more about WTC Baltimore, click on the source link below: Read More