President’s Report -March 2015

by Sam Kaplan

 Washington state is one of the most successful exporting states in the country. We export per capita more than any other state and are fifth overall in total exports.  So no worries about exports, right?  Well, we’re not worried but we also aren’t going to get complacent and stand still. As baseball season is almost upon us, it’s good to remember Satchel Paige’s words, “don’t look back, they may be gaining on you.”

We’re looking forward by engaging in the export planning process of the Brookings/JPMorgan Chase Global Cities Initiative. Last year, as we detailed in this space, our region released a Greater Seattle Global Trade and Investment Plan that was predominantly focused on attracting more foreign direct investment. This effort was led by your own TDA, the economic development councils of the four-county region, the Washington State Department of Commerce and others.  We’re getting the band back together this year and adding the horn section of the Washington Council on International Trade to focus on exports, and will release a Greater Seattle Global Trade and Investment Plan Version 2.0 towards the end of the year.

This initiative will allow our region to become even more successful at exports and more fully integrate export and foreign investment attraction efforts. Like last year’s FDI effort, we will start by developing a market assessment of the current landscape of exports in our region.  This will include looking at the data on our region’s exports such as dollar volume of merchandise and service exports and the destinations of those exports, the number of companies exporting and which sectors are exporting the most and other quantifiable information. But we’ll also be collecting qualitative information by sending out a survey to current exporters and interviewing exporters and service providers.   We’ll use this market assessment as the basis for creating goals and strategies to make our region even more successful at exports.

What will those goals and strategies be? We hold no pre-conceived notions. Like Empire, you’ll have to stay tuned over the coming months for the international trade twists and turns.

Israel Today: An Economic Overview

As Sam Kaplan overviewed in his President’s report last month, the Trade Alliance has recently approved 10 new target markets for the Trade Alliance to accomplish proactive efforts in over the next three years. One of these target markets is the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in Israel. Because of this, we decided to delve deeper into the country’s economic profile overall and its ICT industry, and share our findings with you.

High-tech growth through education

Israel is renowned for having a technologically advanced market economy. With a GDP of over $291.567 billion dollars, it has the 38^th largest economy in the world despite being ranked 97th in population. Although the country is lacking in natural resources and raw materials, it has been able to develop a thriving economy by fostering a skilled workforce through a strong education system. In 2013 the OECD named Israel the second most educated country in the world. It also has the highest concentration of academically educated engineers and scientists in the world – 135 per 10,000 people compared to 81 per 10,000 in the US. It’s universities are globally acclaimed: the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology and the Weizmann Institute of Science are ranked among the top 20 computer science institutions in the world.

Israel’s skilled workforce is a major factor for why it has become a global leader in high technology. High-tech goods and services account for 12.5 percent of Israel’s gross domestic product (GDP) and half of its industrial exports. Israel has attracted global ICT firms to open offices and/or R&D centers. Intel, Apple, and Microsoft built their first overseas research & development centers in Israel (the technology for the Microsoft Kinect was developed by an Israeli company, PrimeSense). Other famous companies with R&D centers in Israel include IBM, Motrola, Cisco, and HP. Overall there are 282 R&D centers in Israel. Another fun fact is that Israel has 90 companies valued at $40 billion trading on Nasdaq, making it second only to China in the amount of foreign firms listed on this stock market. 80% of these firms develop or manufacture advanced technological products.

One of the main centers for economic development, and the number two “startup ecosystem” in the world, is Tel Aviv. This city has been nicknamed ‘Silicon Wadi’, which is Silicon Valley in Hebrew. With over 4,000 active technology start-ups, Israel is home to more startups per capita than any other region of the world.

Other Industries of Note

The Israeli army also plays a role in the growth of Israel’s high-tech economy. The Israel Defense Force’s Unit 8200, responsible for all aspects of cyber-warfare, is regarded by many as the country’s most successful technology incubator. In fact, Business Insider called it “The Best Tech School on Earth”. Alumni from Unit 8200 have gone on to found some of Israel’s most famous IT companies, including Check Point, ICQ, NICE, Gilat, and EZchip.

The aerospace & defense sector is another important industry for Israel. Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries, and RAFAEL are all companies from Israel that have been listed in the top 100 defense companies in the world. Overall, there are 150 defense firms in Israel with an estimated combined revenue of $3.5 billion.

Tourism is another major industry for Israel, contributing between 2-2.2% of the country’s overall GDP. In 2013, Israel had a record 3.56 million tourist arrivals, 18% which were from the US followed by Russia, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. However tourists from China and India are on the rise, in 2014 tourist arrivals from China tripled from 9,800 to 33,000 and doubled from India from 15,900 to 35,000.

Looking forward

We here at TDA are excited to connect with Israel’s ICT industry further over the next three years to the benefit of our members and the Greater Seattle region.

Record Year in Washington Life Science Investment Activity Sets the Stage for Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference in June

By Chris Rivera

Since the start of the global economic slide in 2008, the life science industry waited for a sign that the economy has made a turnaround. Last year’s financial activities show without a doubt the recovery is in full swing. In 2014, more than 50 Washington life science financial transactions – IPOs, mergers and acquisitions – amounted to more than $1.6 billion. This financial milestone is more than double the amount generated by 73 transactions in the state’s life science industry in 2013. Of particular note were Juno Therapeutics and Adaptive Biotechnologies, which together raised almost a third of last year’s total financial transaction activity.

In fact, the last two years may be the most active in the history of Washington’s life science industry, a testament to the state’s ability to attract talent and capital in a globally competitive marketplace.

All of this financial activity in Washington bodes well for the upcoming Life Science Innovation Northwest (LSINW) Conference June 30 and July 1 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.  The 14th annual LSINW is the largest fully-integrated life science exposition in North America, attracting attention from large strategic partners, venture capitalists and private equity firms to our region’s great innovations in the life sciences.

Despite the early success of Seattle firms such as Juno Therapeutics and Adaptive Biotechnologies and others, it’s often hard for young biotech companies to secure enough venture capital funding and hire more of the nation’s top talent.

LSINW brings together 1,000 life science executives and industry supporters for two days of discussions and relationship-building that helps develop the Northwest into one of the largest globally recognized bio clusters in the world.  Currently listed as #7 on the Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News list of major bio clusters in the world, Washington is considered a rising star by many large investment firms.

With more than 34,000 direct and 90,000 indirect jobs, the life sciences industry is one of Washington’s largest economic sectors, adding more than $7.3 billion to the state’s GDP. Washington is known for the birthplace of commercial jets, the $2 cup of coffee, and software than runs most of the world’s personal computers. Less celebrated are the many scientific breakthroughs that originated here: ultrasound imaging, cardiac defibrillators, and the first bone marrow transplant. The creativity and energy that launched these and many other life-changing products and procedures still exists today, and the future bodes to be even more amazing than the state’s storied past.

I encourage everyone to attend LSINW, June 30 and July 1.  Engage in conversations in support of this very important industry for our state.  Over the next decade, I truly believe Washington will establish itself as a global leader in life science innovation and health care delivery.

Chris Rivera is President and CEO of Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association (WBBA), the life science trade association for Washington State.  WBBA has over 650 member organizations in the biotechnology, medical device, health IT, bio-fuel, bio-agriculture and veterinary medicine industries.   Further information may be obtained at www.washbio.org. 

Investment Opportunities in Brazil

We have the perfect opportunity for American companies that are interested in having access to or furthering their reach in the Brazilian and South American markets. Brazil is looking to attract American companies from the Aerospace, Life Sciences, and Information Technology sectors to invest in the State of Minas Gerais. There are numerous financial incentives for establishing a presence in Minas Gerais, including:

•    Attractive tax incentives, progressive with the company’s impact in the region.
•    Access to subsidized credit lines from the Minas Gerais State Development Bank.
•    FIEMG assistance in getting all regulatory and operational licenses in Brazil.

Minas Gerais is located in the Southwest region of Brazil, the richest and most economically developed area of the country. The capital Belo Horizonte is home to 5.1 million inhabitants, serving as the 3rd major Brazilian city for urban agglomeration. The state is in close proximity to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two largest cities and markets in Brazil. The cost of skilled labor in aerospace and biotechnology averages 60% of the cost of labor in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.  The universities and technical colleges are consistently ranked amongst the best in Brazil including the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), one of the top three most renowned colleges in Brazil. These universities and colleges produce a large talent pool of skilled laborers.

The local economy is rapidly developing and there has been a rising interest and establishment of aerospace companies in the region. The state hosts a research center for Embraer -the third largest aviation manufacturer in the world – and the headquarters of Helibras, the main helicopter producer in South America. Additionally, there are 42 aerospace companies located in Minas Gerais which heavily recruit from the 45 private and two public universities in the region.  Minas Gerais is home to the first Industrial Airport of Brazil which operates through a system of customized taxes, including the suspension of federal state and municipal taxes. As a result of these economic advantages, the surrounding area is set to become Brazil’s first aerotropolis (Airport City); a planned city with excellent transport and headquarters to a wide range of companies from varying sectors. It will be home to a community of producers of goods and services based on integration, global supply, and increased competitiveness.

In addition to the burgeoning aerospace industry presence, biotechnology and information technology companies have been moving to area in recent years. Google’s Latin American Research Center is located in Belo Horizonte and several pharmaceutical companies have moved their clinical trials to the state due to the lower costs and availability of skilled labor.

FIEMG (Federation of Industries of Minas Gerais), one of the largest business associations in Brazil has partnered with The Information Company, a Seattle and Belo Horizonte based company in order to find potential companies. A delegation from FIEMG will be traveling to the Pacific Northwest in the next few months to hold meetings with interested prospects and answer any questions regarding business in Minas Gerais.

If you are interested in finding out how your company could benefit from being based in Minas Gerais. Please contact:

Pedro Costa: [email protected]

Marcelo Chinellato: [email protected]

Life Sciences in the Greater Seattle Region

by Evan Philip

The Greater Seattle region is one of the five largest life sciences clusters in the country and is the fifth largest industry sector in Washington State. More than 500 biopharma, medical technology and research organizations are based in Washington, with 74 cities in the state hosting life science organizations. The life sciences industry in our state has contributed approximately $7.1 billion to personal income and $11.4 billion to the state’s GDP. As of 2014, this industry supplied more than 34,200 direct jobs to Washington workers, with an average salary that is $30,000 more than other sectors (WBBA 2014 Annual Report). With such a significant impact on our state’s success, this industry will be the one to watch in the coming years.

Why we are unique

The Greater Seattle area boasts one of the largest concentrations of life sciences companies in the United States. The region has been particularly successful with its research and development efforts in the industry and distinguished worldwide as a place dedicated to furthering knowledge in life sciences. Some of the world’s best research institutions call the Seattle area home, such as the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the innovative Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch). The groundbreaking work that is produced by these institutions continuously proves our region’s worth in the industry. In 2008, Dr. Cassain Yee of Fred Hutch discovered that “that he could use a patient’s own infection-fighting T-cells to put advanced melanoma into long-term remission” (Fred Hutch). It is this sort of research and discovery that has placed the Greater Seattle area on the map as a prominent life sciences industry.

The main hubs

South Lake Union has recently undergone extensive redevelopment to transform the community into a center for biotechnology and research, which has begun to attract worldwide attention. In the next year, the South Lake Union hub will see the addition of the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the expansion of Novo Nordisk, which will produce jobs for hundreds more biotech workers. Most recently, BioMed Realty, our city’s first global health organization, began the process of acquiring a new building in South Lake Union for $90 million (CNBC). Bothell, another hub in our region, is home to the world’s largest dedicated independent contract manufacturer of biologic, CMC Biologics. CMC recently signed a deal that will double the capacity of their operations in the city. This magnitude of investment within our region demonstrates the prominence and profitability of our local life sciences industry.

Top companies

Philips, a Dutch diversified technology company headquartered in Amsterdam, is the second largest producer of ultrasound equipment globally and the sole producer of all the ultrasound systems within Washington State. Their Bothell location, which directly employs approximately 2,000 people, has made significant contributions to the development of the life sciences industry, such as their new generation of ultrasound equipment. The Bothell branch of this global healthcare giant also produces automated external defibrillator equipment, cardiac care equipment, and oral healthcare products. Another distinguished company in our region is Seattle Genetics, which is the industry leader in “antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), a technology designed to harness the targeting ability of monoclonal antibodies to deliver cell-killing agents directly to cancer cells” (Seattle Genetics). The work that Seattle Genetics has done with ADC technology has influenced other collaborators in the field, with 25 different ADCs in development using the exclusive approach that Seattle Genetics developed. It is revolutionary companies like these two that drive a massive amount of funding into the life sciences sector.

In 2014, over $906 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Washington was awarded to 65 companies within the state (National Institutes of Health). The University of Washington was the recipient of 938 NIH awards of more than $437 million (National Institutes of Health), which is more than 48% of the total funding received by the state!

Learn More

To learn more about our region’s life sciences industry, sign-up for the Life Science Innovation Northwest Conference taking place this June 30 & July 1^st, 2015.

President’s Report

by Sam Kaplan

I write this from the frozen tundra of Indianapolis where we are participating in the Brookings/JPMorgan Chase export planning process of the Global Cities Initiative (more on this next month). As we flew into the snow storm that seems to be covering everywhere east of the Mississippi, I was reminded of how important it is to target where and when you travel.

The Trade Alliance works with countries around the world.  Just as Greater Seattle’s companies and organization’s seek out markets in every continent, so too does your Trade Development Alliance work to connect and promote our region in Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and beyond. But, it is also true we are a small (though mighty) staff. And while we do and will react to opportunities from around the globe, we also try to be strategic and proactive with our resources.

It is for that reason that our Board approved a set of target markets last year. The targets were approved after an extensive process that included data analysis by the staff under the guidance of a special subcommittee of the board.  We looked at country economic data but also at where the largest export markets are for our region’s top industry sectors and where around the globe the strongest clusters for these sectors are. We also examined where TDA could have the most beneficial effect and where we had organizations and individuals with whom we could partner.

When all was said and done, the TDA board approved ten target markets to focus on and be proactive in over the next 3 years.  These include seven markets that marry geographic locations with industry sectors as well as three targets in which we will try to brand our region. Of the former, an example is life science in Beijing and Shanghai or information and communications technology in Hyderabad and Bangalore.  In each of these geographies there are also secondary sectors to target, such as life sciences in Hyderabad and Bangalore.

The branding target markets are three urban regions from three different continents: London, Shenzhen and Sao Paulo.  In each of these world class business regions we are going to make sure they understand Greater Seattle and its assets.

Over the last few months, TDA staff have been meeting with potential partners and experts in these industries and international markets to develop a 3-year work plan for each of the target markets.  For example, we’ve had multiple meetings with Jack Cowan, the honorary French Consul and head of the French Chamber of Commerce in our region. We’ve met with the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association, the Washington Israeli Business Council, companies in the key sectors and more.

These work plans will provide a variety of actions that TDA will take over the next three years to move the needle on these ten targets. They will be a tool for TDA to continually be proactive globally and to measure our effectiveness.

If you want to learn more about our target markets in general or about any of the specific work plans, please reach out to Tamara Thorhallsson at [email protected].

A Closer Look: India’s Clean-tech Economy
By Tamara Thorhallsson

A Booming Marketplace

Washington State’s cleantech industry is thriving, employing over 90,000 workers in the state and featuring more than 100 companies. As our local companies and research institutions continue to expand an eager global marketplace awaits, with countries all over the world looking to improve their environmental and operational performance through new technologies.

No place is this more true than in India. India’s renewable energy market is one of the largest in the world, estimated at over $17 billion USD. As its economy and population continues to dramatically grow, so does the need for India to diversify and develop its energy sources. A report by the World Wildlife Fund and the Cleantech Group notes that India is expected to spend almost $30 billion on renewables and $1.7 trillion on energy supply infrastructure over the next 20 years.

In 2013, 11% of the total power generation in India was from renewable energies. And officials in India want to grow that number significantly – in the next five years the Indian government wants to add 30 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity to their energy grid. And by 2050, the goal is to add 455 GW of renewable energy capacity via solar and wind energy as part of the Desert Power India – 2050 plan. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy is already working on constructing four huge solar power plants in the desert regions of India.

President Obama is visiting India later this month, and rumor has it there is a possibility of negotiating a significant U.S.-India agreement on solar power and climate change. Another goal of the trip is to improve trade ties and boost bilateral cooperation, coming off the heels of President Modi’s efforts to simplify taxes and liberalize barriers to investment. India already has attractive foreign investment policies for environmental equipment and service companies, but incentives could become even better if a trade agreement is enacted. The two countries are expected to sign a landmark agreement to build three smart cities in Allahabad, Ajmer and Vishakhapatnam during President Obama’s visit later as part of this goal, and take concrete steps towards the U.S.’s participation in India’s infrastructure sector.

Chennai & Delhi

Chennai is a major cleantech hub in India. It is home to a number of large and influential cleantech companies such as the Orient Green Power, the largest independent operator and developer of renewable energy power plants in India. Wind energy is particularly big in Chennai – it is where the National Institute of Wind Energy is located along with IndoWind, which develops wind farms, and NEPC India, which supplies wind turbines.

Delhi, home to India’s capital of New Delhi, is the government hub for India’s clean tech industry. It is home to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, National Institute of Solar Energy, and the Ministry of Power. It is also the headquarters for some major energy providers including Azure Power, India’s leading independent solar power producer.

Join us!

The Trade Development Alliance is partnering with Element 8 and the CleanTech Alliance to bring a cleantech-focused business mission to India in December 2015. The mission will give participants the opportunity to explore India’s cleantech industry in-person and connect with relevant companies that are eager to do business. For more information on this trip, please contact Dana Rubin at [email protected].

Mayor of Tacoma Launches Campaign for International Relations
By Marilyn Strickland

During the 1980’s, it would have been accurate to describe Tacoma as a polluted industrial town. Thanks to significant public investments and restoration of historic buildings and waterways, Tacoma has evolved into an international waterfront city and is now a leader in education, the arts and environmental stewardship.

As part of the Metropolitan Seattle region and home to one of the largest ports on the West Coast, Tacoma knows it can carve out a unique position and highlight its assets which include 43 miles of shoreline, affordable housing, stunning views, unique neighborhoods, low utility rates, publicly owned broadband, accessible universities and one of the most diverse immigrant populations in the entire state.

In other words, we have a city that is ripe with assets to attract foreign investment.

As our city grows, it must reflect our priorities and values as a city.  The growth must benefit our neighborhoods, our businesses and most importantly, the 200,000 residents from all walks of life who call Tacoma home. In order to achieve the kind of growth that will sustain our city into the future, we need more family-wage jobs for people of all education levels and more private investment.

Why pursue foreign direct investment?

Because attracting new capital to our community benefits everyone.  Private investment increases the need for services from our local firms, spurs more local investment, and ultimately grows our city’s economy.  Those benefits have a ripple effect throughout our community and helps grow our tax base. It sends the message that Tacoma is a great place to invest.

The Tacoma City Council recently approved a development agreement with Yareton Investment & Management, LLC, of Shanghai to develop an $85 million convention center hotel and mixed-use project that will create 1,000 construction jobs and an additional 200 full-time support jobs that will pay living wages. This project is great for Tacoma and the Puget Sound region, but we need to seize the opportunity and capitalize on the momentum of this project.

So how do we attract more foreign investment? As Mayor, I consider myself the lead economic development officer for Tacoma.  In 2014, I established a Commission on International Relations to align resources and make a concerted effort to attract more foreign investment and boost tourism, education, and the arts in Tacoma. Since 95% of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States, this also presents an opportunity for local companies to gain access to foreign markets.

By design, the Commission has members from diverse backgrounds including the Washington State Department of Commerce, our World Trade Center, the Port of Tacoma, and our Sister Cities Council. Also represented are Tacoma Public Schools, our Travel Tacoma tourism bureau, and members of the real estate development and tech industries to advise how we can attract investors and their families to Tacoma.

As the work of this Commission progresses in 2015,  I believe we will accomplish three goals:

1. The formal establishment of the Commission will institutionalize international relations as part of Tacoma’s long-term economic development strategy.
2. This Commission will be crucial in the implementation of the Global Trade and Investment Plan that has emerged out of the Global Cities Initiative that I signed on to last year. Tacoma will play a key role in bringing more foreign direct  investment to the region.
3. It will raise Tacoma’s regional, national and international profile and give us more opportunities to highlight our assets. It’s crucial that we frame the conversation about Tacoma and call attention to our K-16 schools, tourist attractions, clean energy, and lively arts community that make our city a desirable place to live, raise a family and invest.

The global economy is defined by metropolitan regions. We in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue region are blessed with unmatched physical beauty and attractions. Between Mount Rainier, more museums per capita (only second to Washington D.C.), the 2015 U.S. Open Golf Tournament and Tall Ships 2017, Tacoma is poised to make significant gains in the next few years. By focusing on international relations, we have the opportunity to tell our story on a global stage, attract more private investment and spur economic growth.

President’s Report – January 2015

By Sam Kaplan

Last week, a group of economic development organizations (including your Trade Development Alliance), state, regional and local governments, industry and others rolled out a Greater Seattle Global Trade and Investment Plan at the Economic Development Council of Seattle-King County’s 43^rd annual Economic Forecast Conference.

This is the result of the Brookings/Chase Global City Initiative pilot program on foreign direct investment that the Greater Seattle region was selected to participate in and which launched last April.  As all good TDA’ers know, 40 percent of jobs in Washington state are tied to international trade in one way or another.  We are kings and queens of exports but mere princes when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI).  Given our strong assets that typically attract FDI, such as our Fortune 100 companies, strong industry sectors, great higher education and research institutions, and our strong international ties and relationships, there are great opportunities to attract more FDI to Greater Seattle.  This includes both attracting more companies and capital into the region.

The core group leading this effort was your TDA, the economic development councils of the four-county region with the leadership of the EDC of Seattle and King County, the Washington State Department of Commerce and the King County economic development office. This was a region-wide effort with cities, counties, country-specific organizations and others all working hard to make our region more successful economically.   The EDCs, Commerce and others deserve tremendous credit for hard and fruitful work they did over the last eight months. The EDC of Seattle and King County was a great leader on this project.

The Global Trade and Investment Plan contains five strategies. Each of these strategies has a variety of tactics associated with them and organizations have been assigned to take the lead on ensuring the strategies and tactics are implemented. The five strategies are:

Double-down on broad-based regional economic collaboration.

Increase collaboration of economic development organizations, including Associate Development Organizations (ADOs), Washington State Department of Commerce, the Trade Development Alliance (TDA), local governments, industry trade associations, labor and industry by better utilizing existing relationships, work groups and strategies.

Convert export partners to investors in advanced industries.

The Greater Seattle region has deep and extensive ties with its largest export markets that can be utilized to increase FDI from these markets.

Help small and medium-sized (SMEs) access new capital and export markets. Develop and enhance mechanisms by which SMEs can more readily access foreign capital and export opportunities.

Develop the potential investor pipeline: international students and tourists. The Greater Seattle region draws large numbers of international students and tourists from key international markets. Today’s tourist or student (or the student’s family) can be tomorrow’s investor.

Leverage strong ties to China for increased investment

Washington state has one of the strongest and deepest trade and cultural ties with China in the United States. China has embarked on an aggressive outward investment effort. Given the Greater Seattle region’s relationships and assets, there are great opportunities to attract Chinese FDI.

The Greater Seattle Global Trade and Investment Plan focuses on FDI.  Brookings announced last week that our region has been selected to be part of the export planning of the Global Cities Initiative.  Over the next year, we will be delving into exports starting with examining the current landscape and then as a region building strategies to become even more successful at exports. This new work will be integrated into the current Global Trade and Investment Plan.

So last week was a beginning, not an end.  Now begins the hard but necessary work of implementing the five current strategies and diving deeper into exports. Stay tuned.

View the official press release

View the infographic

View the full plan

TDA Welcomes New Inbound and Outbound Manager

TDA is pleased to welcome Dana Bumpus Rubin as our new Inbound and Outbound Manager. We’re very excited to have her join the TDA team and launch into business missions we’re planning for next year and a slew of international delegations headed our way in 2015, among other things.As you’ll see in her message below, she comes from the international higher education world.

FROM DANA:

I am very excited to begin the position of Inbound and Outbound Manager for the Trade Development Alliance today.  I hold an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Anthropology and Spanish, and an M.A. in International Education from the School for International Training.  I’ve been working for the past 13 years in international higher education, specifically in the development of study abroad programs for university students.   Many of those years were spent at Northwestern University as the Assistant Director of Study Abroad; following that, at the University of Washington as Regional Manager for European Programs.  Most recently I’ve served as the Institutional Relations Manager for IES Abroad, a non-profit organization based in Chicago that develops and operates study abroad programs for universities around the world.     I’ve lived in several places around the world but have been a resident of Seattle for the past six years and feel so lucky to call such a lovely place home together with my fiancé, Idan, our dog, Zeus, and cat, Asparagus.