2025 International Speaker Series
Rethinking Trade: Opportunities and Challenges in a Changing World
Thursday, June 5, 2025 | 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Virtual
About the Event
The Vermont Council on World Affairs’ 2025 International Speaker Series will examine how shifting policies and priorities will influence the role the United States plays in global affairs, from technological advancements and economic resilience to trade dynamics and diplomatic strategy.
This session is part of a four-part series that will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, and experts to explore how the new administration will impact key global issues and what these changes mean for Vermont and the world.
This session will assess the trade strategies coming out of Washington, exploring topics such as domestic manufacturing, emerging markets, supply chain security, and the role of diplomacy in fostering fair and sustainable trade relationships.
Additionally, we will examine the impacts on the Vermont economy, Vermont’s trade relationship with Canada, and the outlook for Vermont businesses.
Speakers
Dina Santos
Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada in Boston
Appointed in August 2021, Dina Santos serves as Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate in Boston. Dina leads the trade and investment team which helps Canadian companies with their business development needs in New England as well as American companies looking to expand to Canada. Dina joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 2001. At the headquarters of Global Affairs Canada, Dina worked in the Regional Trade Policy Division on various negotiations of multilateral and regional free trade agreements advancing Canada's trade policy diversification objectives with the WTO, Europe and the Caribbean. Dina earned a Bachelor of Law Degree at Université de Montréal and completed a Specialized Business Graduate Degree in Taxation at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales.
Dina has spent most of her career overseas with 5 assignments in the United States in Boston, New York, San Francisco and Dallas.
Ken Davids
Chief Operating Officer, OnLogic
Ken Davids is the COO of OnLogic. With a diverse background in international operations & technology, Ken joined OnLogic in 2015 as the VP of Operations. In his current role, he leverages his expertise to drive innovation throughout the organization in the development of the company's cutting-edge industrial computing solutions.
With a passion and focus on global operational effectiveness and efficiencies, Ken is committed to the success and development of the OnLogic team, and empowering them to assist customers in overcoming their most complex technology challenges.
Tim Tierney
Director, Recruitment and International Trade, Department of Economic Development, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Tim Tierney is the Director of International Trade and Business Recruitment for the State of Vermont within the Department of Economic Development. He oversees several initiatives including the State Trade Expansion Program and the Business Support team. Tim represents Vermont on the Eastern Trade Council and the New England-Canada Business Council. Tim has also served as the Legislative Liaison between the Agency of Commerce and Community Development and the Vermont State Legislature. He served as the State Program Manager of the Northern Border Regional Commission and is the Agency designee to the Working Lands Enterprise Board as well as the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative.
Prior to his State position, Tim had primarily worked in the conservation and recreation sector in the mountain regions of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. He was the Executive Director of Kingdom Trails and Director of Conservation Field Programs at both the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Green Mountain Club.
Moderated by:
Michael Igoe
Senior Reporter, Devex
Michael Igoe is a Senior Reporter with Devex, based in Washington, D.C. He covers U.S. foreign aid, global health, climate change, and development finance. Prior to joining Devex, Michael researched water management and climate change adaptation in post-Soviet Central Asia, where he also wrote for EurasiaNet.
Michael earned his bachelor's degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Russian, and his master’s degree from the University of Montana, where he studied international conservation and development.