William Duclos is an engineering and operations professional with more than 20 years of experience in new product introduction (NPI), program management, supply chain collaboration, and technical sourcing.

Throughout his career, Duclos has worked across engineering, operations, and supply chain functions to support product development, strengthen supplier partnerships, and advance manufacturing readiness. His cross-functional approach helps align technical requirements with business objectives, enabling teams to navigate complex programs and bring products from development into production efficiently.

With expertise spanning both technical and operational disciplines, Duclos brings a practical perspective on supplier collaboration, sourcing strategy, and the critical role of an integrated supply chain in successful product development and execution.

Eric Johnson is Senior Editor, Technology, at the Journal of Commerce, where he leads coverage and analysis of technology’s impact on global logistics and trade. His reporting explores how shippers, carriers, and logistics providers use technology to transform critical freight processes, including procurement, execution, visibility, and payment.

A recognized voice on logistics technology, Johnson is a frequent presenter and moderator at industry events and webinars. Before joining the Journal of Commerce in 2018, he spent 13 years with American Shipper, where he held several roles, most recently covering logistics technology and leading a series of benchmark studies examining the logistics industry.

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in international business from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He has lived and worked in Southern California, the UK, and India and currently resides in the Washington, D.C., area.

The Honourable Bernadette Jordan serves as Canada's Consul General in New England, where she works to strengthen the longstanding economic, diplomatic, and cultural relationship between Canada and the United States. A distinguished public servant and former federal cabinet minister, she brings decades of leadership experience spanning government, economic development, philanthropy, and international relations.

Elected to Canada's House of Commons in 2015, Bernadette made history as the first woman to represent Nova Scotia's South Shore–St. Margarets riding. She later became Canada's first Minister of Rural Economic Development before serving as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, becoming the first woman from Nova Scotia elected to hold a seat at the federal Cabinet table.

Before entering public service, Bernadette built a career in economic development, community leadership, and nonprofit fundraising, helping organizations drive regional growth and raise millions of dollars for healthcare initiatives. In 2023, she was appointed Consul General by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and in 2025 she was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her service to Canada.

Drawing on experience in public policy, international partnerships, and economic development, Bernadette brings a unique perspective on cross-border collaboration, trade, and the shared opportunities that connect Canada and New England.

Jason Kelly is Director of the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, bringing more than 35 years of corporate and entrepreneurial leadership experience in global trade, shipping, and sustainable business innovation.

Prior to joining Bryant, Kelly served as Executive Vice President at Moran Shipping Agencies. He also served as Executive in Residence and co-founder at SeaAhead, a bluetech venture platform focused on supporting innovation in the maritime economy.

Throughout his career, Kelly has held leadership roles with the Association of Ship Brokers and Agents, Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, and FONASBA. He also served for nine years on the board of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. Kelly holds an MBA and brings extensive experience connecting business, government, and industry to advance international trade and economic development.

Brendan LaCerda is a director in Moody’s Analytics’ Economic Research group, where he serves as the lead analyst for U.S. fiscal policy and inflation forecasts. His recent research focuses on tariffs and global supply chains, and he also plays a key role in developing and maintaining the group’s country forecast models.

With more than 15 years of experience as a macroeconomic forecaster, LaCerda previously worked with IHS Global Insight’s U.S. Macroeconomic Service. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia and completed his undergraduate studies at the London School of Economics and the University of Notre Dame.

Ryan McGuire is Director of Regional Sales, Northeast Air & Sea, at DSV, where he helps organizations strengthen and optimize global supply chains through innovative logistics and technology solutions.

McGuire specializes in digital supply chain transformation, transportation and purchase order visibility, API and EDI integration, real-time tracking, and data-driven strategies. His work helps organizations improve operational efficiency, increase supply chain resilience, and enhance the customer experience.

With expertise spanning global logistics, technology, and supply chain strategy, McGuire brings a practical perspective on how organizations can use greater connectivity and visibility to navigate increasingly complex global trade and transportation environments.

Pete Mento is a licensed Customs House Broker and one of the most widely recognized voices in global trade, customs and duty‑minimization strategy. As Director of Global Trade Advisory at Baker Tilly US, he helps companies identify savings, reduce risk and design efficient, defensible trade‑compliance programs.

With more than three decades of experience—including senior leadership roles at DSV Air & Sea and other major logistics and advisory firms—Pete brings a rare combination of operational depth and strategic perspective. His expertise spans customs operations, transfer-pricing alignment for importers, audit defense, trade‑tax integration, valuation, cargo security, and global supply‑chain risk.

Pete holds a master’s degree in Government with a concentration in trade theory from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Customs and Economics from the University of Durham in the UK and completed his undergraduate studies at Maine Maritime Academy, where he served five terms as a member of the advisory board. Known for his engaging, insightful speaking style, he translates complex global‑trade issues into clear, practical guidance for executives, compliance teams and industry audiences worldwide.

Kevin Ricci is a Partner in Citrin Cooperman’s Risk Advisory practice and Co-Leader of the firm’s Cybersecurity practice. With more than 30 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity, he advises organizations on strengthening their security posture, managing risk, and navigating an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Ricci specializes in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging technology risk, governance, compliance, and cyber resilience. As a PCI DSS Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), he helps organizations assess vulnerabilities, strengthen security programs, and adopt emerging technologies responsibly.

Prior to joining Citrin Cooperman, Ricci spent more than two decades in technology leadership roles, including leading information technology teams. A recognized cybersecurity thought leader, he is a frequent speaker, writer, and media contributor on cybersecurity, risk management, and emerging technologies. Ricci is also active in several professional organizations, including the FBI’s InfraGard program and the Rhode Island chapter of ISACA.

Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D. is Vice President for Strategy and Partnerships at Bryant University, where he leads the development and implementation of strategic initiatives and partnerships that align student success with corporate and institutional needs. He also leads the University’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategy.

With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, economic research, and public policy, Tebaldi has held roles with the World Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and the Rhode Island Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. His research and policy work has focused on economic development, international trade, and workforce outcomes. A tenured member of Bryant's faculty, he has also taught courses in machine learning, econometrics, and economic growth.

David Tente is a veteran banking executive with more than 40 years of experience in commercial banking, international banking, treasury services, payments and foreign exchange. Throughout his career, he has advised businesses on navigating global markets, managing financial risk and supporting international growth through innovative banking solutions.

As a former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, David built and led high-performing organizations focused on delivering exceptional client experiences while improving operational efficiency, managing risk and driving sustainable growth. His career has included senior leadership roles at Santander, Citizens/RBS, Capital One, FleetBoston and BankBoston, where he led strategic initiatives in commercial banking, technology modernization, treasury management, global payments and enterprise-wide transformation.

Most recently, David helped lead the U.S. launch of Santander Navigator Global, expanding international banking capabilities for commercial clients and strengthening the bank's ability to support businesses operating across borders.

A recognized leader in international banking and financial innovation, David brings deep expertise in global commerce, foreign exchange, payments, digital transformation and AI strategy. He is passionate about helping organizations adapt to change, embrace emerging technologies and succeed in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Dr. George Westerman is a faculty member at the MIT Sloan School of Management, where he helps leaders understand the business implications of rapidly evolving technologies and how organizations can thrive in an era of continuous innovation.

For more than two decades, Westerman has worked with senior leadership teams and industry groups around the world to navigate technology-driven change. The author of three award-winning books and numerous articles, he has helped shape the global conversation around digital transformation and now focuses on the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.

Westerman joined MIT Sloan in 2002 after earning a doctorate in innovation strategy from Harvard Business School. Prior to his academic career, he spent more than a decade in product development and technology leadership, bringing a practical business perspective to his research, teaching, and work with organizations.