How Finance Leaders Can Navigate US-Canada Trade Relations

 

 

 

 

 

Roger Pierce is one of North America’s leading small business experts and the founder of 14 companies. As an author, speaker, trainer, and host of The Unsure Entrepreneur Podcast, he is passionate about helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. 

 

His agency Pierce Content Marketing provides business advice content for top brands including Bank of Montreal, FedEx, Rogers, Mastercard, and Quadient. 

Kathleen Sullivan Garman, Panelist  

Kathleen Sullivan Garman is an operations consultant based in Spokane, Washington, with over 15 years of experience in e-commerce, supply chain optimization, logistics, and international trade. Her company, Sully Garman, helps businesses streamline customs, optimize order fulfillment, and scale globally. 

 

Kathleen has worked with e-commerce merchants and SaaS developers on everything from crowdfunding fulfillment and third-party logistics (3PL) provider negotiations to Shopify integrations and digital order flow solutions. She equips businesses with the strategies and systems they need in a complex global market.  

 

As a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, she brings a unique view on cross-border trade and logistics challenges. 

Arnaud Franco, Panelist 

Arnaud Franco is the Director of Economic Research at the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). With nearly 20 years of experience as an economist, he specializes in making complex economic trends clear and actionable for business owners. He leads a team dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses navigate uncertainty, identify opportunities, and build resilience in an evolving market. 

 

Before joining BDC, Arnaud worked in global commodities research at Numera Analytics and the Pulp and Paper Products Council, where he provided trusted economic analysis for the forest products industry.  

As a dual citizen of Canada, the U.S., and France, and having lived in Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Spain, he brings a global perspective to economic policy, trade dynamics, and the challenges facing businesses in an interconnected world. 

Kelly Waller, Panelist

Vice President of Field Marketing at Quadient, specializes in B2B marketing, demand generation, and digital transformation. With a strong background in financial technology and automation, she helps businesses streamline financial processes for greater efficiency and cash flow management. Kelly has led teams in customer acquisition and retention, working with clients ranging from startups to global brands like Barclays and Honda.