Staff
Karen Gerwitz, Executive Director
Karen Gerwitz was appointed Executive Director of the World Trade Center Denver in August 2010. She brings 20 years experience in international business and communications to the organization. Ms. Gerwitz recently served as Director of Communications for the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and Director of Board Relations for the State Board of Education. She was also Manager of Communications for Raytheon in Aurora.
Her international experience includes Chief of Protocol for the Colorado International Trade Office, where she planned the official visits of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the G8 Summit, the Western Hemisphere Ministerial Summit, and hundreds of other delegations. Other international experience includes: Information Officer for a science institute in Vienna Austria; Operations Manager for a sawmill in Ghana, West Africa; Business Development Director for Attaché International Marketing; and International Marketing Specialist for UNISYS.
She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business and her Master's of Public Administration from the University of Colorado. She lives in North City Park with her husband, Elie, and serves on several community boards.
Rachel Baertlein, Director of Programs and Services
Rachel Baertlein joined the World Trade Center Denver team as Program Coordinator after completing her internship with the organization in 2009. She is responsible for overseeing programs and events sponsored by the World Trade Center Denver as well as focusing on membership retention and satisfaction.
Rachel graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Business from the University of Colorado. Prior to her studies, she lived in Belize and the Philippines as a teacher in rural villages.
Michael DeJager, Education Coordinator
Michael DeJager is the Education Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute. He is charged with the management and development of the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute's international business skills training program, special projects and research requests. The Institute was founded in cooperation with the Metropolitan State College of Denver and provides international education programs and current trade information to the international business community.
Originally from Perry, Oklahoma, Mr. DeJager currently attends Johnson & Wales University double majoring in International Business and Management where he also serves as the Student Body President of the Student Government Association.
Azahar Aguilar, Office Manager
Azahar Aguilar is the Office Manager of The World Trade Center Denver. She processes Certificates of Free Sale, Certificates of Origin, Membership applications and renewals, as well as lends support to the Executive Director, office operations, and programming of the Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute.
Ms. Aguilar has her MBA in International Business from Sejong University in Seoul, South Korea, and her Bachelors of Science Degree in International Business from Johnson & Wales University in Denver, Colorado. Originally from Minnesota, her background includes travel to 19 countries - including three study abroad programs in Mexico, Spain and South Korea, and two years of teaching ESL to students in South Korea.
The World Trade Center also has a robust internship program which helps develop the global business leaders of tomorrow.
For more information on World Trade Center Internship contact Michael DeJager or visit our Internship page.
