WTC Denver

Colorado is stronger when we trade

What we do

World Trade Center Denver is a business network and services organization dedicated exclusively to the international business success of companies based in Colorado and the surrounding Rocky Mountain region.

No need to call New York or fly to Chicago, you get face-to-face access to world-class global resources right here in your own backyard. Our sole purpose is to help local companies succeed internationally. Global commerce isn’t just one of the things we do, it’s the only thing we do.

Why we do it

Our mission is to build a strong future for the remarkable industries of the Rocky Mountain Region by helping our members collaborate locally, connect strategically and thrive on the global stage. We seek to inspire Colorado businesses and entrepreneurs to think bigger. To see what global trade can do, not just for our bottom lines, but for the places we call home. It isn’t just about imports and exports. It’s about bringing prosperity to our state and neighborhoods by forging ties with other neighborhoods around the world. It’s about a better future for all of us. Trade Matters.

EXPERTISE

No other organization offers the breadth and depth of global expertise you get here. We are a global trade association run by people who’ve experienced success in global business, who know the intricacies of government policy, and who keep current and informed on every change and nuance. Our subject matter experts are the best of the best, and if they can’t answer your question they will get you to someone who will. We aren’t here to judge, we’re here to advise, solve problems and help you put your best foot forward.

CONNECTIONS

With one million members and over 300 trade centers in 100 countries, this is a network that opens doors around the world. Here you can collaborate, exchange ideas and cultivate relationships with the largest concentration of global business-minded professionals in the region. In addition to networking and training events, we facilitate introductions to get you to the right people in the right geographies.

SERVICES

Online libraries and peer-to-peer training are just the beginning. We provide tools, resources and customized consulting services to help you choose markets strategically, mitigate risks and increase revenues and operational efficiencies as you expand. Direct consultative services will help take you from launching your global business to optimizing your global supply chain and through becoming well-established internationally. Trust your business with experts who have been teaching best practices of global business operations for over 30 years.

Karen Gerwitz WTCD staff

Karen Gerwitz – President & CEO

Karen Gerwitz brings 30 years’ experience in international business to the organization in the private, public and non-profit sectors.  Her enthusiastic vision for how Denver can become a more globally-conscious city is what is driving the organization to its new development in the Fox Park neighborhood near downtown.  With business development, strategic growth and marketing as her main functional expertise, Karen has served overseas in Ghana and Austria, and in Colorado in multiple sectors including:  IT, Aerospace, Lumber, Science, Mining, and Government.  Her protocol and international cultural expertise prepared her well to host the official visits of the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the G8 Summit, the Western Hemisphere Ministerial Summit, and hundreds of other delegations. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in International Business and her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

Contact: Karen.gerwitz@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5760

Sandi Moilanen – V.P. Operations

Sandi Moilanen is the Vice President of Operations at the World Trade Center Denver, where she oversees the daily operations and programs of the organization, helps develop and implement strategic initiatives and looks for new areas of growth. Sandi brings experience in international business development, manufacturing and international trade finance to the position. Prior to joining the WTC, Sandi was the Director of the Colorado International Trade Office, part of the State of Colorado’s Office of Economic Development, where she managed the export promotion and foreign investment attraction activities for the State of Colorado. Before her public sector service, Sandi managed international transactions and overseas production planning for an apparel manufacturer. She helped develop European distribution and managed a network of international dealers. She has experience as a Customs Broker and an international logistics agent.

Contact: Sandi.Moilanen@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5362

Sandi Moilanen WTCD staff
Tanya Arnt WTCD staff

Tanya Arnt – Director, Global Trade Activator

Tanya Arnt is the Director of Global Trade Activator, she oversees both the Incubator Program for Immigrants and the Accelerator Program for companies that are ready to launch into new International Markets.  Prior to this role, Tanya was the Director of Trade Institute at WTC Denver where she was responsible for modernizing trade education programs and converting in-person trainings into virtual and on demand offerings. She led the Certificate of International Trade Program, Lunch and Learns, World Trade Day Conference, and International Business and U Conference.

Tanya brings years of Global Project Management experience working with multinational vendors and service providers across diverse industry sectors including telecom, IT, construction, logistics, education, hospitality and tourism.

She earned her MBA with International Business focus from the University of Colorado and Master’s in International Relations from Altay State Technical University. Multilingual – Russian, English, Chinese and Spanish competency.

Contact: tanya.arnt@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5378

Torrie Becwar– Institute Director

Torrie Becwar joined the WTC Denver team in 2022. As Director of the Trade Institute, she is responsible for managing the Certificate of International Trade program and the online learning platform. Before coming back to her home state of Colorado, she spent 17 years in Italy helping professionals expand their work internationally by developing their Business English skills. She has a master’s degree in Learning Design and Technology from CU Denver and is excited to be involved in the WTC training program.

Contact: Torrie.Becwar@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5760 x 8350

Torrie Becwar
Zachery Makuch

Zachery Makuch – Director of Business Development

Zachery Makuch has joined the World Trade Center Denver team in 2022 as the Director of Business Development. Zach is responsible for developing business opportunities within the organization by coordinating and implementing plans designed to increase existing business and capture new opportunities.

Prior to joining the organization, Zach was a Manager of International Sales and Business Development Executive at DHL Express (US) for 8 years representing the state of Colorado and Colorado based businesses for 7 years of those years.

He has a Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Biochemistry from the State University of New York College at Cortland.

Contact: zachery.makuch@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5760 x 8350

Karen Moore – Director of Membership Engagement

Karen Moore joined the World Trade Center Denver team in 2020. As the Director of Member Engagement, Karen is responsible for  strategic partnerships, and member management and engagement. She brings her strong background in marketing and business development to the team. Karen has always had a passion for international business and worked overseas for a short time in Paris. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing with a focus on International Business from the University of Colorado.

Contact: Karen.Moore@wtcdenver.org; 303-592-5369

Karen Moore WTCD staff
Jamison Shelton WTCD staff

Jamison Shelton – Director, Global Business Solutions

Jamison comes to the World Trade Center Denver with over 20 years of experience in the international ecommerce, business development, operations and on-demand manufacturing space, with a professional portfolio that includes Broadcast.com, Yahoo!, VarTec Telecom, Webroot Software, Circle Graphics and CafePress. Jamison has also run a successful consulting practice, helping early-stage companies with their international expansion efforts. Jamison has his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Managerial Information Systems (MIS) from the University of Oklahoma.

Contact: Jamison.Shelton@wtcdenver.org, 303-592-5757

Karen Gerwitz World Trade Center Denver
Executive, Institute, & World Trade Day
Jacqui Beckett Beckett Ethics & Compliance
Executive Secretary, Institute
Karen Freidhof University of Colorado Denver | CIBER
Executive, Institute, IB&U, & World Trade Day,
Jeff Popiel Geotech
Executive President
Brandon Powers BDO
Executive Treasurer, Audit & Risk
John Addison CO Department of Agriculture
Trade Policy
Sheldon Bancroft Trinidad Benham
Audit & Risk
Lindsay Besser-Hank Leprino Foods
Executive Board
Kate Caldecourt The Strategy Architect
Executive
Kerri Conway Colorado State University
Real Estate
Gina Cook Metro State University Denver
IB&U & Trade Policy
James Ferry Canadian Solar Inc.
Institute & World Trade Day
Stephanie Garnica DEDO
Executive
David Glynn Holland & Hart LLP
Trade Policy
Jason Huck HSBC
Development
Laura Jackson Denver International Airport
Trade Policy
Kelsey Moraski IMI Precision Engineering
Institute
Laurel Burton Jaymie Scotto and Associates
Trade Policy
Suzette Nickle US Commercial Service Denver
Executive, Institute, & World Trade Day
Denis Perron NREL (Retired)
Institute, IB&U, & World Trade Day
Susan Pfuetze Otter Products
Trade Policy
Tyler Rauert Fortis Law Partners
Executive, Trade Policy
Lucia Sprungle JP Morgan Chase
Institute
Brad Whittle Gallagher Transport
Audit & Risk
BJ Youngerman United Airlines
Audit & Risk
Doug Allen University of Denver, Daniels
IB&U
Angelica Bahl Metro State University Denver
IB&U
Jacqui Beckett Beckett Ethics & Compliance
Secretary
James Ferry Canadian Solar Inc.
IB&U
Karen Friedhof University of Colorado
Chair
Karen Gerwitz World Trade Center Denver
President
Craig Maginness Exln Global Strategies
Global Business Services & GTA
Jill Mendoza Superior Louisville
Board Member
Kelsey Moraski IMI Precision Engineering
Board Member
Suzette Nickle US Export Assistance Center
World Trade Day
Laura Nolan Terumo BCT
Global Business Services
Katie Pagano-Gerwitz Ball Corporation
World Trade Day
Marisela Parraguez OEDIT
Global Trade Activator (GTA)
Denis Perron NREL (Retired)
Chair
Aaron Raml Leprino Foods
World Trade Day
Lizbeth Rodriguez-Johnson Reed Smith LLP
Education
Lucia Sprungle JP Morgan Chase
Immigrant & Refugee
Marcia Wright Cognizant Health Care
World Trade Day

We host hundreds of events, roundtables, discussions, and trainings annually including various Interest Network Groups and Committees that you can join to become involved in Colorado’s international business community.