Here’s the current list of speakers for the Global Trade Summit — with more being added regularly, so check back often for the latest updates.
Keynotes:
James Keyes
James Keyes is a global business leader, philanthropist, educator, artist, musician, and commercial pilot. He is the former CEO of two Fortune 500 companies—7-Eleven, Inc. and Blockbuster, Inc.—and has led ventures across retail, consumer products, technology, space, energy, and nuclear innovation. He currently serves on several public company boards and advises a venture capital firm and numerous start-ups.
His philanthropic work is equally far-reaching. He has served on the Board of Governors for the American Red Cross, chaired the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and held board positions with UT Southwestern Medical School, The Cooper Institute, Dallas Performing Arts Center, Columbia Business School, SMU Cox School of Business, and the College of the Holy Cross.
Deeply committed to education, Keyes is a founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and the founder of the Education is Freedom Foundation. A champion of opportunity, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2005. In 2024, he received the Robert S. Folsom Leadership Award from the Methodist Health System Foundation, which recognized his outstanding community leadership.
Ross Gittell
Ross Gittell, Ph.D., is the ninth president of Bryant University. Under his leadership, Bryant is ascending in rankings and national recognition that affirm the superior value of a Bryant education. Drawing on his expertise in strategic management and as an economist and economic development scholar, President Gittell is leading Bryant through the development and implementation of the Vision 2030 Strategic Plan.
Vision 2030: Innovation and Agility with Purpose charts a bold path for the university, building on Bryant’s foundational strength in business education and integrated liberal arts and its new strengths in health and behavioral sciences. With a focus on academic excellence, a vibrant student experience, community and well-being, and economic mobility, Vision 2030 will take Bryant University to the next level of recognition and accomplishment.
President Gittell previously served as Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire. Highly regarded for his economic analysis and forecasting, he has frequently served as an expert resource for government, non-profit, and business leaders. With an extensive background in university teaching, strategic planning, and management, President Gittell’s focus has been on applying economic, organizational, and management theory to regional, state, and community economic development issues.
President Gittell’s teaching career in management and economics spans more than 20 years. He is extensively published, including books, numerous articles, and professional studies. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Harvard University, a MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago.
Daniel McKee
Daniel J. McKee is the 76th Governor of Rhode Island. A lifelong Rhode Islander from Cumberland, McKee began public service on the Cumberland Town Council from 1992–1998 before serving as Mayor for a total of 12 years in the early 2000s and again from 2006–2014.
Elected Lieutenant Governor in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, McKee stepped up as Governor in 2021, after Gina Raimondo’s confirmation as U.S. Commerce Secretary. McKee was elected to a full term in November 2022, defeating Republican Ashley Kalus with nearly 58 percent of the vote—the largest margin in a Rhode Island gubernatorial race since 1992.
McKee’s governorship began in the midst of the COVID‑19 pandemic. His administration delivered one of the nation’s most effective vaccine rollouts and helped bring Rhode Island’s unemployment to historically low levels. He continues to emphasize accessible government, strong fiscal management, expanded opportunities in education, equity, and economic development focused on small businesses.
McKee earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and Political Science from Assumption College in 1973 and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2005. Prior to state leadership, he ran a family heating business and a health and fitness company. He has also served longstanding roles with youth-focused nonprofits and community organizations.
Jason Kelly
Jason Kelly, MBA, was appointed the Director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University in October 2024. Boasting over 35 years in corporate and startup leadership, he brings deep expertise in global trade, shipping, and sustainable business innovation to the Chafee Center.
Previously, Kelly served as Executive Vice President at Moran Shipping Agencies, the largest independently owned U.S. shipping agent. He also held the role of Executive in Residence and co-founder at SeaAhead, a bluetech venture platform.
In his new role, Kelly is reshaping the Chafee Center’s signature events—transitioning World Trade Day into the expanded Global Trade Summit—and strengthening its academic, corporate, and government collaborations to help Rhode Island businesses thrive globally.
A recognized advocate in global trade networks, Kelly has held leadership roles with the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents, Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, and FONASBA. In addition, he served nine years on the board of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.
Jack Reed
U.S. Senator Jack Reed has represented Rhode Island with distinction since 1997, and has earned a national reputation as a thoughtful, effective legislator and a tireless advocate for working families.
A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Armed Services Committee, Reed plays a pivotal role in shaping national defense policy, securing federal investments for Rhode Island, and advancing education, infrastructure, and healthcare initiatives. Known for his expertise and integrity, he has been instrumental in expanding Pell Grants, protecting consumers, and strengthening the middle class.
Born and raised in Cranston, Reed is a West Point graduate, Army veteran, and former Harvard-educated attorney. Before joining the Senate, he served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His leadership reflects deep-rooted values of public service and opportunity, inspired by his parents’ working-class background and his own military service. Senator Reed is widely respected on both sides of the aisle for his dedication and results-driven approach to leadership.
Sabina Matos
Sabina Matos is the 70th Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, serving since April 14, 2021, and re-elected in November 2022. She is the first Dominican American in the U.S. and the first woman of color to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor in Rhode Island.
In this position, she chairs the Emergency Management Advisory Council, Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and Small Business Advocacy Council. She also advocates for veterans and military families through programs like the Military Family Relief Fund and Operation Holiday Cheer, and serves on the state’s Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Matos previously served on the Providence City Council from 2011-2021, representing Ward 15. She was the first Latina elected City Council President Pro Tempore in 2015 and Council President in 2019, representing Olneyville and parts of Silver Lake and Valley.
Born in Barahona, Dominican Republic, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Rhode Island College (RIC) in 2001. Her professional background includes leadership roles in nonprofits and state government focused on equity and community development.
A proud RIC alumna, she lives in Providence with her husband, Patrick Ward, and their two children, Diego and Annemarie.
Betty Robson
Betty Robson is the Executive Director of JF Moran, an OIA Global company, and a lifelong leader in global trade. A Licensed Customs Broker, Master Customs Specialist, Certified Global Business Professional, and accredited Hofstede lecturer, Robson brings decades of expertise to international business and trade facilitation. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Boston College and a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. She is a member of both the Massachusetts and Florida Bars and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Robson serves as Chairperson of the Rhode Island District Export Council and is a past president of both the Boston Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association and the Air Cargo Club of New England. She chairs Global Trade Summit at Bryant University’s Chafee Center for International Business and is a Founding Director of Women in World Trade New England. A strong advocate for mentoring women in business, she also serves on the NRICC Women’s Business Council.
Robson is Treasurer of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber Executive Board, an appointed Rhode Island Commodore, and a member of the state’s Freight Advisory Committee. She has also taught global trade and leadership in the MBA program at Johnson & Wales University.
Adam Triolo
Adam Triolo is Vice President of Commercial Business Development at REGENT Craft, bringing more than 15 years of global experience in aircraft sales and aviation leadership. He began his career at Textron Aviation in 2006 as Regional Sales Director for Asia Pacific, where he managed performance and drove revenue for channel partners across Southeast Asia. In 2017, Triolo became Managing Director of TechJet Aviation LLC, leveraging his worldwide network to create strategic synergies for clients and partners. Since joining REGENT Craft, he has led the commercial sales team in executing growth-focused strategies for the innovative maritime aviation company.
Triolo holds an MBA from Boston University and a B.S. in Aeronautics from the University of North Dakota. He is an FAA Airline Transport Pilot with multiple type ratings, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII), and a licensed helicopter pilot, blending deep technical expertise with strategic business leadership.
Speakers and Panelists:
Panelist: U.S. Trade Strategy – A Congressional Perspective
Gabriel “Gabe” Amo is the U.S. Representative for Rhode Island’s 1st Congressional District, serving since November 2023. He is Rhode Island’s first Black member of Congress.
Amo holds a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and was a Marshall Scholar at Merton College, Oxford. His early career included campaign work for Senator Sheldon Whitehouse in 2006 and President Obama in 2008 and 2012. He served as Deputy Director in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs during both the Obama and Biden administrations, and worked closely with Governor Gina Raimondo on public engagement in Rhode Island.
In Congress, Amo sits on the Foreign Affairs, Science, Space & Technology, and Budget Committees, and on subcommittees focused on East Asia, Europe, and environmental issues. He is currently a vice-ranking member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Amo is known for his advocacy on gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, and safeguarding Social Security and Medicare.
Moderator: U.S. Trade Strategy – A Congressional Perspective
Elizabeth “Liz” Catucci is a transformative business and community leader, recently appointed Executive Director of the Partnership for Rhode Island, beginning September 2025. In this role, she will spearhead initiatives that drive economic growth, strengthen statewide business development, and foster strategic partnerships across Rhode Island.
Prior to joining the Partnership, Catucci served as President and CEO of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, where she led operations, directed advocacy efforts at the State House, and cultivated relationships that advanced the regional economy. Earlier, she was Director of Marketing and Business Development at PKF O’Connor Davies.
A recognized leader in Rhode Island, Catucci serves on several nonprofit boards, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rhode Island and the United Way Community Advisory Board. She chairs the Twin River Advisory Council and presides over the Greater Providence Chapter of the Providence College Alumni Association. A Providence College graduate, Liz was honored in 2018 with Providence Business News’ “40 Under Forty” award.
Panelist: Trade Perspectives from Around the World – A Diplomatic Roundtable
David Clay has been a member of the UK Diplomatic Service since 2005 and was recently appointed British Consul General to New England. Most recently, he served as joint head of the Iraq and Arabian Peninsula Department at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, overseeing UK relations with Gulf states, including regional security cooperation and launching Free Trade Agreement talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2022. He also played a key role in the UK’s response to the Israel/Gaza conflict from 2023–2024.
From 2016 to 2020, Clay was Deputy Political Counsellor and then Counsellor at the UK Mission to the UN in New York, where he represented the UK in the Security Council and led negotiations on resolutions related to global conflicts.
Earlier postings included Libya, Egypt, and Sudan. He holds a master’s degree with distinction in Middle East politics. David speaks Arabic and previously taught English in eastern Sudan.
Panelist:Logistics & Global Trade – Navigating the New Normal
JoEllen Fiorenzano is redefining what leadership in fashion accessories looks like. As President and CEO of Fashion Accessories First (FAF, Inc.) and Catherine Stein Designs, she has transformed a 50-year-old company into a forward-looking powerhouse that partners with America’s most iconic retailers. Her mission: to merge creativity, agility, and innovation into a business model built for the next generation of retail.
Since stepping into the CEO role in 2018, Fiorenzano has championed fearless collaboration, empowering teams to design boldly and execute flawlessly. Under her direction, FAF continues to set trends in fashion jewelry while embodying resilience, adaptability, and growth. Beyond profitability, she is deeply committed to fostering a culture that values employees, strengthens communities, and invests in the future of sustainable fashion.
Fiorenzano’s leadership is about more than running a business—it’s about shaping an industry and inspiring others to think bigger.
Moderator: Logistics & Global Trade – Navigating the New Normal
Victoria Fraza Kickham is Senior Editor at DC VELOCITY, where she brings clarity and insight to the complex world of warehousing, transportation, and logistics. A journalist at heart, Kickham began her career as a Boston-area newspaper reporter before moving into B2B publishing, where she has spent more than a decade covering manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain dynamics across the industrial and electronics sectors.
Her reporting is known for connecting industry data and global trends to the people and businesses they affect, making her work a trusted resource for executives and practitioners navigating today’s fast-changing logistics landscape.
Kickham holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in English from Northeastern University. Drawing on her strong foundation in storytelling, she continues to highlight the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping supply chain management today.
Panelist: U.S. Trade Strategy – A Congressional Perspective
Seth Magaziner grew up in Bristol, Rhode Island—often called “America’s most patriotic town”—where civic duty was ingrained in his upbringing. A Democrat, he represents Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, taking office on January 3, 2023 after serving as state treasurer from 2015 to 2023.
Magaziner earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Brown University in 2006 and an MBA from Yale in 2010. Before his tenure as treasurer, he worked in sustainable investing and started his career as a public school teacher.
In Congress, he serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Homeland Security Committee, advocating for clean energy, transportation, voting rights, and working families. Magaziner has led initiatives such as the BIKE Act, aimed at expanding bicycle education funding, and introduced legislation banning stock trading by members of Congress.
Panelist: Logistics & Global Trade – Navigating the New Normal
Mads Boye Petersen is the Chief Operating Officer of Pangaea Logistics Solutions Ltd. In this capacity he is responsible for overseeing all chartering and operational functions of the organization.
Before stepping into the COO role, Petersen served as Managing Director of the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Nordic Bulk Carrier, where he led operational and management initiatives in the dry bulk sector. With broad experience in the dry bulk industry, Petersen has held various operational and management positions throughout his career.
He holds an Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Copenhagen Business School.
Stephen Piper is a Partner at IBM Consulting, serving as the Senior Executive partner for the State of Rhode Island and leading national business development efforts in Digital Twin Technologies.
Over his nearly 25‑year career with IBM, he has held executive leadership roles across Consulting Services, Sales Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and within the office of the CIO. In 2012, he earned an MBA through the IE/Brown Executive MBA program.
Piper is recognized for driving innovative solutions and transformative strategies across both public and private sectors. He is a judge on a supply chain advisory panel, underscoring his reputation for thought leadership and industry expertise in leveraging emerging technologies for business impact.
Panelist: Intelligence at Scale- How A.I. is Reshaping Global Trade
Kevin Ricci is a partner in CitrinCooperman’s Providence office and a leader within the Technology, Risk Advisory, and Cybersecurity (TRAC) Practice. He has over 25 years of extensive experience in technology services including consulting, security assessments, cybersecurity awareness training, social engineering simulations, IT auditing, fractional CISO, project management, database development, data analysis, and compliance services including PCI DSS, for which he is a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).
Ricci has helped his clients achieve their cybersecurity and privacy goals, helping assess, build, and transform their cybersecurity and privacy programs, and has provided strategic oversight in enhancing his client’s IT risk and security capabilities. Ricci has experience managing cybersecurity engagements across the industry spectrum, with a focus on cybersecurity and privacy, regulatory compliance including PCI DSS, and IT general computing and operational controls including those related to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX). He has also worked with a broad variety of large and small companies to develop data analysis tools, including the design and development of database solutions that streamline data collection and reporting.
Prior to joining CitrinCooperman, Ricci spent a decade leading the information technology team at a local telecommunication company, using his innovative leadership style to help the company achieve exponential growth.
Panelist: Trade Perspectives from Around the World – A Diplomatic Roundtable
Dina Santos is Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate in Boston, where she drives cross-border trade and investment between Canada and New England. Leading a dynamic team, she helps Canadian companies expand in the U.S. and supports American businesses seeking growth in Canada.
A seasoned diplomat, Santos joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 2001 and has since shaped trade policy at the highest levels. At Global Affairs Canada, she contributed to multilateral and regional free trade negotiations with the WTO, Europe, and the Caribbean, advancing Canada’s global trade diversification strategy.
Santos’s career is marked by extensive international experience, including five U.S. postings in Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Dallas. She holds a Bachelor of Law from Université de Montréal and a Specialized Graduate Degree in Taxation from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales. Santos is committed to fostering innovation, economic growth, and strong commercial partnerships across North America.
Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D. is a tenured professor of Economics and currently serves as the Vice President for Strategy and Institutional Effectiveness at Bryant University.
A seasoned data scientist, strategist, and problem solver, Dr. Tebaldi is a dynamic leader whose career includes roles at prominent institutions, including the World Bank, as an economist and consultant, the New England Public Policy Center at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and, since 2019, as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers to the Governor of Rhode Island. He has authored more than 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored multiple cross-country studies, including major reports published by the World Bank.
Panelist: Logistics & Global Trade — Navigating the New Normal
Samuel “Sam” Watson is the CEO of North Technology Group, a Newport (RI)-headquartered marine and manufacturing conglomerate comprising leading brands like North Sails, Southern Spars, Doyle Sails, and Quantum Sails. Educated at Massey University, he brings deep multinational experience and a strong track record of leading complex, multi‑unit organizations across more than 40 countries.
Under his leadership, NTG has significantly expanded its footprint in the sailing and ocean lifestyle sectors. Watson orchestrated the acquisition of Doyle Sails and Quantum Sails, integrating them into the NTG portfolio while preserving their individual brand identities and operational independence. He champions a decentralized strategy, ensuring each brand maintains its own sales, design, and marketing teams, while benefiting from NTG’s unified corporate strength Sail World.
With expertise in mergers & acquisitions, global strategy, product development, and cross-border team leadership, Watson focuses on sustainable growth, repeat customer revenue models, and internationally-coordinated operations. He is recognized within the CEO Project as a leader who manages senior executives across geographies and drives meaningful business transformation in virtual, high-functioning environments.
Moderator: The “Next Big Thing” is Here – How A.I. is Reshaping Global Trade
Laurie White is a transformative leader shaping Rhode Island’s business and economic landscape. As Chief Executive of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business association and foundation, she drives initiatives that empower entrepreneurs, strengthen local economies, and foster innovative growth. White also serves as an Independent Trustee at Aquila Municipal Trust, where her strategic insight guides governance and financial oversight.
A University of Rhode Island journalism graduate, White was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University and has been recognized with URI’s President’s Distinguished Achievement Award and induction into the Community College of Rhode Island Hall of Fame. A Certified Chamber Executive, she has honed her leadership skills through elite programs at the Center for Creative Leadership and the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
White’s career is defined by vision, impact, and dedication. She continues to champion business innovation, educational advancement, and community development, leaving a lasting legacy across Rhode Island.
Panelist: U.S. Trade Strategy – A Congressional Perspective
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has represented Rhode Island in the U.S. Senate since 2007, earning a reputation as a thoughtful and effective legislator dedicated to progressive values and bipartisan solutions. He serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and co-chairs the Caucus on International Narcotics Control. He also plays key roles on the Judiciary, Budget, Finance Committees, and the Helsinki Commission.
Whitehouse was raised in a Foreign Service family and holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law. Before joining the Senate, he served as Rhode Island’s U.S. Attorney and Attorney General, demonstrating his longstanding commitment to public service.
In office, he’s focused on rebuilding infrastructure, addressing ocean plastic waste, overhauling federal education, reforming the criminal justice system, and authoring the landmark bipartisan Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act to combat the opioid crisis.
