This three-hour online event is open to ALL Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) students (undergraduates and graduates) to learn about careers in international trade and business. Registration is free for students and faculty with a FIT email – must use university email to register.
Students will gain insight from trade professionals, pose questions to policymakers, and learn about exciting career opportunities in international affairs, business, and trade. Students will come away with an understanding of the trade policy-making community, the role of its key players, and the opportunities for internships and careers available to them.
The WITA Academy Pathways to Opportunity with the Fashion Institute of Technology is a three-hour program.
- Session one, 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM EST, will focus on career opportunities in the public sector.
- Session two, 4:45 PM – 6:00 PM EST, will highlight private sector opportunities.
Students that attended at least 50% of the sessions of the day will receive a free one-year membership to the Washington International Trade Association (WITA), a certificate of achievement, and access to attend WITA online policy discussions free of charge for one year.
For questions about the event, please contact the WITA Staff events@wita.org
Fall 2023 Curriculum
3:15 PM ET – 3:30 PM ET
Welcome and Introduction
Kenneth I. Levinson, Chief Executive Officer, Washington International Trade Association
WITA Board President Steve Lamar, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
Careers in the U.S. Government and Public Sector
3:30 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Natalie Hanson, Deputy Assistant USTR for Textiles, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; former International Trade Analyst, Textiles and Apparel, U.S. International Trade Commission; former National Import Specialist, Garments of Coated Fabrics and Outerwear, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
4:00 PM ET – 4:45 PM ET
International Trade Administration, Office of Textiles and Apparel, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Patent and Trade Office
Naomi Freeman, Consultant, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg; former International Trade Specialist, OTEXA, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
JoEllen Urban, Senior Trade Advisor and Africa Team Lead, Office of Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce; former Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of State; former Director, U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, & U.S. International Trade Commission
Moderator: Stephanie Lester, Vice President, Head of Government Affairs, Gap Inc.; former Professional Staff, House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Trade
Careers in the Private Sector
4:45 PM ET – 5:15 PM ET
International Organizations and NGOs
Eric Biel, Senior Advisor, Fair Labor Association; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center; former Associate Deputy Undersecretary, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of International Labor Affairs
5:15 PM ET – 6:00 PM ET
Government and Public Affairs
Julia Hughes, President, U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA); former Senior Vice President, United States Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel
Hun Quach, Head of Global Government Relations, Levi Strauss & Co.; former Head of Government Relations, Under Armour; former Vice President for International Trade, Retail Industry Leaders Association; former Office of the USTR and Senate Finance Committee
Moderator: Diego Añez, Executive Director, WITA Academy; Managing Director, Washington International Trade Association
6:00 PM ET
Program Close
The mission of the WITA Academy™ is to make trade education and career opportunities in international trade accessible to communities in the United States and around the world, and to make the trade community itself more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
The WITA Academy works with trade leaders in businesses, law, academia, NGOs, embassies and the U.S. Government to help stakeholders, students, and others to better understand and navigate the U.S. and global trade policy apparatus.
Thank you to our WITA Academy Sponsors
