WTCGP Launches Global Diversity Advisory Council

March 08, 2023

The World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) Launches its Inaugural Global Diversity Advisory Council (GDAC)  To Advance Initiative to Teach and Empower Minority and Women-Owned Businesses to Become Successful Exporters

Philadelphia, PA…March 7, 2023….The World Trade Center has launched its inaugural Global Diversity Advisory Council (GDAC), comprised of distinguished leaders in the Philadelphia business community and in supplier diversity who are dedicated to advancing economic growth opportunities for minority and women-owned business enterprises.  (MWBEs).  

Brian Oglesby, Interim President and CEO of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council (EMSDC) and Elizabeth Walsh, President of the Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East (WBEC) are Co-Chairs.

GDAC Members include:

·       Brian Oglesby, Co-Chair, Interim President/CEO, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council

·       Elizabeth Walsh, Co-Chair, President, Women’s Business Enterprise Center - East

·       Kenneth Anderson, Vice President Civic Affairs, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

·       Bridgett M. Battles, Director of Community Engagement and Supplier Diversity, Thomas Jefferson University

·       Steven Scott Bradley, President and CEO, Bradley & Bradley Associates, Inc. (Vice Chair WTCGP and former Chair African American Chamber of Commerce)

·       L. Jay Burks, PhD, Director of Supplier Diversity, Comcast Corporation

·       Iola Harper, Senior Executive Vice President, The Enterprise Center

·       Casey McCourt, Senior Economic Development Specialist, PECO

·       Michelle Morin, Global Procurement Leader - Supplier Diversity & Sustainability, Corteva Agriscience

·       Sundari Pai, Senior Manager, Global Supplier Diversity, Bristol Myers Squibb

·       Beth Pomper, Director, International Business Development, State of Delaware 

·       Maria Prince, Global Procurement ESG Leader, DuPont

·       Christina Renna, President, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey

·       Natily Santos, Vice President Responsible Sourcing, Aramark & Avendra Group

·       Lawrence Wooten, Senior Manager, National Supplier Diversity, American Water 

·       Khine Zaw Arthur, PhD, President and CEO, Asian American Chamber of Commerce 

GDAC Members have already held two monthly meetings (January 20 and February 21) to support the implementation of the Selling to the World initiative: Selling to the World: Growing a Vibrant, Inclusive, and Connected Economy for Greater Philadelphia. The COVID19 pandemic significantly impacted small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including MWBEs. 

Selling to the World is a transformative public/private sector initiative to generate sustainable and inclusive economic growth and family-sustaining jobs.  The initiative is designed to restore and expand the growth of SMEs with a feature program to increase the capacity to transact business globally for MWBEs.  

The Selling to the World program will provide qualified MWBEs with export training and mentorship and will introduce a global supplier diversity program, a ground-breaking strategy for MWBEs to generate exports by selling into the global supply chains of international corporations. 

Gdac

A Global Diversity Advisory Council meeting in session. 

“Engaging in the global marketplace is no longer a luxury for businesses seeking a greater level of opportunity and inclusion, it is an imperative for growth as a supplier both locally and globally. The GDAC serves as a bridge to the marketplace and convener of partners in an ever-shrinking world to elevate minority businesses who have traditionally been shut out of the market. In collaboration with our regional stakeholder, we will accelerate the movement of the needle,” says Brian Oglesby, GDAC Co-Chair,Interim President and CEO, Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council.

“The state of the world economy  and the global pandemic negatively impacted women owned businesses disproportionately these past three years; but it has also provided an opportunity to rethink and reinvent business strategies.  This program, as presented by the World Trade Center of Philadelphia,  will allow women owned businesses the opportunity to expand their business to the world’s stage.  

WBEC-East is excited to be a part of ensuring the ability of women-owned businesses become more resistant and competent in the face of any future global challenges,” says Elizabeth Walsh, GDAC Co-Chair and President, Women’s Business Enterprise Center – East.

GDAC members will provide guidance on the implementation of the MWBE program and help to promote and recruit companies to participate in the first cohort and training in the “Fundamentals of Exporting,” an in-person program in a dedicated learning community.

“I am grateful to our GDAC Members who will help support our Selling to the World program for MWBEs in our region.  For both non-profits and corporations committed to advancing inclusive economic opportunity, this represents an important opportunity to add value to the MWBEs they serve."

This initiative aligns with WTCGP’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and our mission of bringing growth and prosperity to businesses, communities and neighborhoods in Greater Philadelphia and worldwide through global trade and investment,” said Linda Conlin, past president, and current Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives, WTCGP.  

Source

More News

WTCGP Women's Breakfast Roundtable

March 11, 2026 - In celebration of International Women's Day, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia and the British American Business Council of Greater Philadelphia hosted a breakfast roundtable on Monday, March 9 at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, gathering leaders from the Philadelphia international business community. The event was centered on womanhood on a global scale, exploring how women in international business are building opportunity across borders, shaping the next generation of leaders, and leveraging global networks for impact here in Philadelphia. The program began with welcoming remarks and sponsor insights from RKL LLP and Citrin Cooperman. Participants then introduced themselves around the table before moving into a moderated discussion. Throughout the conversation, we discussed our paths into international business, our mentors and networks that have helped shape our careers. We discussed how the field of international business has evolved and how we can collaborate to change it even further. Communities and conversations such as the one we had this week, reflect our mission to strengthening connections and supporting the leaders who drive international business in our region. Read More

WTC Winnipeg & WTCGP Deepen Cross-Border Links

December 2, 2025 - In mid-November, World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia President & CEO, Thomas Young, and Chief External Affairs Officer, Tom Levy, traveled to Winnipeg to meet with World Trade Centre Winnipeg’s team, deepening the growing relationship between our two regions and exploring opportunities ahead of the 2026 WTCA GBF, to be held April 19-22 in Philadelphia. Over two days of meetings, tours, and roundtable discussions, WTCGP connected with leaders across Manitoba’s manufacturing, agriculture, life sciences, logistics, technology, and economic development communities. The visit reinforced what both regions already know: Philadelphia and Winnipeg share real synergies, and there is significant potential for bilateral trade and collaboration.’ Representatives from Bioscience Association Manitoba, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, CentrePort Canada, Manitoba Environmental Industries Association, Supply Chain Manitoba, and others shared perspectives on shared challenges, emerging opportunities, and the importance of creating continuity between the two regions. Many noted that participation in GBF creates meaningful follow-through, giving businesses the chance to reconnect with partners they met the year before. Every attending partner that Winnipeg brought to the 2025 GBF in Marseilles has expressed interest in attending the 2026 event in Philadelphia, further endorsing the value of attending. Government engagement helped reinforce the momentum of the visit. In meetings with Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers and Minister of Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Jamie Moses, both sides talked openly about where the regions naturally align and how they can build long-term connections. Thomas Young emphasized the shared strengths across manufacturing, life sciences, agriculture, logistics, and technology, and noted that Philadelphia chose Winnipeg as its only Canadian stop because of the strong relationship between the two World Trade Centers. Minister Moses underscored the value of these conversations, reminding the group that “when you make a business investment, you invest in people.” Deputy Mayor Chambers echoed the sentiment, expressing interest in continuing the collaboration and finding practical ways for both regions to move forward together. The visit also included an in-depth look at CentrePort Canada, where its strategic position as a trimodal inland port and the new rail park development demonstrated how significantly the region is expanding its logistics capacity. The tour of Fort Garry Fire Trucks offered an inside look at Winnipeg’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, including fire trucks shipped across the world—with some even making their way to Pennsylvania. Across every meeting and conversation, the themes stayed consistent: shared strengths, aligned sectors, strong leadership, and a network that opens doors across 300+ cities worldwide. As Tom Levy put it, “ Joining our network is like opening 300 doors across the globe.” The visit concluded with a clear sense of purpose. Both WTCs recognize the value of strengthening these ties and the opportunity ahead with the Global Business Forum. With Philadelphia hosting GBF in April 2026, WTCGP looks forward to welcoming Winnipeg’s business community and continuing to build a partnership rooted in real trade potential and global opportunity. Read More