Conference Agenda

8:00-8:30

Check-in, coffee, continental breakfast

8:30-9:45

Welcome and Opening Keynote Speaker: Setting the Stage – Comparative Perspective on Spotlight Countries

Welcome: Dean Sri Zaheer, Carlson School of Management, Deputy Assistant Secretary Antwaun Griffin, U.S. Department of Commerce, Reid Click, Associate Professor of International Business and Director of CIBER, George Washington University

Keynote: James Newlands, Lead Partner, Americas-Africa Center, EY

9:45-11:00

Opportunities and Challenges in Doing Business in Africa

Moderator: Aks Zaheer, Professor and Curtis L. Carlson Chair in Strategic Management, Carlson School of Management

Panelists:

Dave Anderson, International Sales, JetEdge
Yohannes Assefa, Director, Stalwart Management Consultancy
John Geisler, Corporate VP and CIO, Cargill
Adesegun Oyedele, Assistant Professor of Marketing and Business Law, St. Cloud State University
Kendall Tyre, Partner, Nixon Peabody

11:15-12:30

China and India in Africa

Moderator: Reid Click, Associate Professor of International Business and Director of CIBER, GW

Panelists:

Wenjie Chen, Assistant Professor of International Business and International Affairs, George Washington University
Tade Okediji, Associate Professor of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota
David Shinn, Adjunct Professor of International Affairs, George Washington University, and former ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia

12:30-1:30

Luncheon Keynote Speaker

AGOA, Its Impact on Sub-Saharan Africa
Irving Williamson, Commissioner, U.S. International Trade Commission

1:45-3:00

Leveraging Diasporas for Doing Business in Africa – Roundtable Discussion

Moderator: Liesl Riddle, Associate Professor of International Business and International Affairs, George Washington University

Panelists:

Semhar Araia, Founder and Executive Director, Diaspora African Women’s Network
Eric-Vincent Guichard, CEO, Homestrings
Ndaga Mwakabuta, Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America
Crispin Semakula, Diaspora Council of Tanzanians in America

3:15-4:30

From Opportunity to Reality – Resources for Assessing Opportunities, Finding Partners, Financing

Moderator: Deputy Assistant Secretary Antwaun Griffin, U.S. Department of Commerce

Panelists:

David Edmiston, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce
Denis Griffin, Director, Minneapolis Regional Office, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Paul Hansen, International Trade Representative, Africa and Middle East, Minnesota Trade Office
Herbert Igbanugo, Partner, Igbanugo Partners

1:45-4:30

Country experts available for one-on-one or small group discussion, questions, and advice

4:30-4:45

Closing Remarks

Deputy Assistant Secretary Antwaun Griffin, U.S. Department of Commerce

4:45-6:00

Networking Reception