Careers Crossing Borders

Tentative Agenda: Global Business and Leadership Forum

A Careers Crossing Borders Series Event

Friday, April 17, 2026

Keynote Speaker: Ben Harris

Ben Harris is the Vice President and Director of Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution and holds the Bruce and Virginia MacLaury Chair. He previously served as Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy and Chief Economist at the U.S. Treasury and as Chief Economist to the Vice President of the United States. His research focuses on public finance and macroeconomics, and he holds a Ph.D. in Economics from George Washington University.

Distinguished Speaker: Marc Uzan

Marc Uzan is the Executive Director and founder of the Reinventing Bretton Woods Committee, a non-profit organization established in 1994 that is internationally recognized for its work addressing issues related to international financial architecture. He has edited several books on international finance including most recently Regional Integration in Central Asia (United Nations University, 2024), The New Kazakhstan (2023), Bretton Woods: The Next 70 Years and The Ten Years After. Marc holds a master’s degree in international economics and finance from the Université de Paris IX Dauphine and has been a visiting scholar at the Department of Economics of the University of California, Berkeley and a visiting fellow at Harvard University.

Emad AlJunaidi, EMBA ’14

Emad AlJunaidi is the Chief Supply Chain and Digital Officer at Tronox, a global titanium and minerals producer. Prior to joining Tronox, he led global sourcing for GE’s Renewables Division and held operations roles at GE, Lucent Technologies, and Chrysler. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland, two MS degrees from Syracuse University, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the American University in Cairo.

Saureen Naik Desai

Saureen Naik Desai is the President of International Sales at Niche Polymer, LLC and COO of Intercontinental Export-Import, Inc. With over 20 years of experience in plastics recycling and global trade, she has led multimillion-dollar international operations across markets including China, India, Korea, and Mexico. She also founded Green Loop Exports, LLC, focusing on post-consumer plastic trading and sustainability solutions.

Azocha Nkobena

Azocha Nkobena is a Managing Director at Accenture with over 20 years of experience leading large scale digital transformation initiatives across commercial, defense, and government sectors. She specializes in enterprise platform modernization and helping organizations translate complex technology investments into measurable business value. A recipient of the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Azocha is also deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development, supporting the next generation of professionals in technology and business.

Kwabena Osei-Sarpong

Kwabena Osei-Sarpong is the Founder and CEO of RIFE International, a global climate technology and sustainable infrastructure firm operating in the United States, Africa, and Asia. A recognized leader in clean energy and sustainability, he has advised the White House Council on Environmental Quality and served on the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. He holds degrees from Radford University and Georgetown University.

Rita Ramalho

Rita Ramalho is a Lead Economist in the Institutional Capacity and Effectiveness Unit at the World Bank Group. Her research focuses on how regulation and rule of law influence economic growth, entrepreneurship, and labor participation. She previously led the World Bank’s Global Indicators Group and holds a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT.

Kurt Rader, MBA ’12

Kurt Rader is the Market Lead for HSBC’s Corporate & Institutional Bank, bringing more than 20 years of experience in corporate and institutional banking. His career spans roles in the U.S. and U.K., focusing on multinational client relationships, cross-border trade, and global markets. He holds an MBA from the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business and a BA in Business Management from Mercyhurst University.

Pamela Reed

Pamela Reed is the Head of Trade and Customs for the Americas at Pandora Jewelry, where she leads trade compliance and cross-border operations across North and South America. With over 30 years of experience in global logistics and supply chain management, she specializes in customs compliance and international trade strategy. She holds multiple professional certifications including Licensed Customs Broker and Project Management Professional.

Jessica Reynolds, MA ’10

Jessica Reynolds is the Senior Director of the Office of International Investment and Trade at the Maryland Department of Commerce. She leads initiatives that support foreign direct investment and international business development for the state of Maryland. Her office received the President’s E Star Award for Export Service in 2021. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Maryland.

Scott Samels, ’92

Scott Samels is the Finance Global Delivery Lead at McCormick & Company, where he has spent more than 25 years in finance and accounting leadership roles. He oversees global financial processes and controls within McCormick’s Global Business Solutions organization. Samels previously worked at KPMG and PHH Corporation and serves on the advisory board for the Smith School’s Center for Global Business.

Vincent Tran, ’10

Vincent Tran is an Advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, focusing on financial technology, blockchain, and innovative finance. His work supports U.S. trade policy, international investment, and the expansion of financial services exports. He previously worked in corporate finance and investment banking at J.P. Morgan and BMO Capital Markets and holds degrees from Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland.