Kingston Trade Forum

Alicia McCarthy is a Senior Manager with Export Development Canada, supporting Ontario-based companies as they pursue international growth. With more than 15 years of experience in financial services, business development and public-private collaboration, Alicia helps Canadian businesses access EDC’s financing, insurance, market knowledge, and global connections. She works with mid-market companies across Eastern Ontario and is based in Ottawa.

Margaret Kim is counsel in Gowling WLG’s Toronto office, where she practices international trade and investment law. She advises Canadian and multinational clients on customs, tariffs, trade remedies, sanctions, export controls, foreign investment, and cross-border regulatory matters. Margaret brings experience from both private practice and government, including serving as Trade Counsel to the Province of Ontario, where she advised on domestic and international trade agreements, investment treaty matters, and responses to U.S. trade actions. She regularly advises clients in strategic sectors such as energy, critical minerals, manufacturing, and telecommunications, and has taught International Trade Law at Osgoode Hall Law School.

Andrew Barber is the Director of Consulting Solutions at Farrow, bringing over a decade of expertise in trade and customs. Andrew began his career in Brokerage Operations in 2011 before transitioning to Sales in 2016, specializing in CAN/U.S. Brokerage and Trade Consulting services. Since joining Farrow’s Sales team in 2017, Andrew has played a key role in expanding the company’s consulting capabilities, culminating in his strategic leadership role in 2024.

Ronni Singh is a logistics and supply chain leader with over 22 years of experience in freight forwarding and international trade. Beginning his career as an apprentice with Kuehne+Nagel, Ronni has held key leadership roles including Country Trade Lane Manager at Panalpina, Head of Sales at DSV, and Regional Sales Director at DHL. He currently leads Asia Pacific Trade Lane Development for Kuehne+Nagel Canada, driving strategic growth, market expansion, and innovative supply chain solutions across global trade corridors.

Karolina leads the Canadian Office of Czech Business, the Czech Republic’s investment and export promotion agency, with a mandate to attract investment into the Czech Republic and advance Czech exports and innovation in the Canadian market. Drawing on a background in R&D support, the automotive sector, and a degree in economic diplomacy from the University of Economics in Prague, she connects businesses and opportunities across both sides of the Atlantic.

Gregor Postl is the Consul and Trade Commissioner for Canada with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, the international trade promotion organization of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. With more than 25 years of experience in international trade and business development, he has held postings across Europe, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe and currently supports Austrian companies in exploring business opportunities and building partnerships in Canada.

Luís Sequeira is Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner at the Embassy of Portugal in Canada and Director of AICEP’s office in Toronto, Portugal’s Trade and Investment Agency, where he leads efforts to attract foreign direct investment and strengthen Canada–Portugal economic ties. 

Since joining AICEP in 2010, he has held senior international postings across the   Americas, including as Economic Counsellor at the Portuguese Embassies in   Argentina, Chile, and Peru, while directing AICEP’s operations in each of those markets.  

He also served for four years as Senior Manager at the AICEP Business Center in São   Paulo, Brazil, supporting the international expansion of Portuguese companies in one of their most important overseas markets. 

Luís began his international career in 2007 as a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Mexico City, advising clients on business strategy and   international expansion. 

He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Coimbra and completed   postgraduate studies in International Business in the United States and Argentina.

Diana Cartwright is a Trade Commissioner with GAC’s Ontario Regional Office, supporting Ontario companies working in the Clean Energy sector, with a particular focus on renewables, smart grid and energy storage.

With over 30 years in the clean tech sector, she has worked for different government agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada, a consulting company and spent five years teaching at the Dalian University of Finance and Economics in China.

Diana has deep roots in Kingston with her family going back eight generations. She is committed to taking action on sustainability personally and within communities to address climate change and is the proud co-owner of solar panels, a heat pump and an EV.

Lukas Kirstgen serves as Vice-President of the Canadian German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, where he drives strategic initiatives connecting businesses across the Atlantic. A dual-qualified lawyer in Germany and Ontario, Lukas brings exceptional cross-border expertise to his leadership role. Prior to his 2024 appointment as VP, Lukas successfully led the Chamber’s Legal and Tax Department since 2020. With legal education from both the University of Münster and University of Toronto, he masterfully guides German companies through Canadian market opportunities. Known for his dynamic approach and commitment to transatlantic cooperation, Lukas has established a remarkable track record of advising German clients navigating Canada’s evolving legal and business landscape.

Dániel Németh is an Economic and Trade Attaché at the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto, where he works to strengthen economic and investment ties between Hungary and Canada. He supports Hungarian companies in entering and expanding in the Canadian market, facilitates cross-border business partnerships, and provides assistance to Canadian companies wishing to invest in Hungary. Prior to his diplomatic posting in Canada, Dániel spent 13 years at Hungary’s Ministry of Finance, serving in various positions and gaining extensive experience in public finance, economic policy, investment promotion and government administration.