International lawyers are often called upon to provide practical solutions beyond the courtroom or boardroom by their clients, employees, partners, shareholders and community at large. Often, these solutions require bringing together the right partners within the community.
In this blog, we periodically feature nonlawyer international professionals as potentially helpful resources for your practice.
Jennifer Jin, Notre Dame 2008, provides compliance, audit defense, and litigation services to companies relating to taxes and international trade as a member of Husch Blackwell’s Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation team in Milwaukee.
Meet Katie Henry, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s (MMAC) World Trade Association (WTA), the region’s largest and most experienced network of international exporters, importers, suppliers and service providers.
Katie attended UW-Waukesha and Milwaukee Area Technical College, and is currently studying to become a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional.
Katie says:
“I am excited to be able to continue a tradition of leadership for an organization that has helped local companies conduct international trade since 1932.
I am 28-year veteran of the MMAC. I began in our Economic Research Department and helped form the China & India Business Councils. I was promoted to the role of WTA's executive director in 2014. WTA links companies and individuals with common interests in exploring and expanding their global business. We provide programs, events and peer exchange forums you won’t find anywhere else. Members benefit from outside experts and from sharing their own knowledge.
Having worked as a chamber professional for nearly three decades, I have a strong sense of membership organizations and how they run. I particularly value the economic development role we play in the region and have personally seen how the MMAC can make a difference to our region's quality of life. As MMAC President Tim Sheehy has said over the years, 'You can sit on the sidelines and reap the benefits, or you can be part of the team.' I'm grateful to be part of the team.
Katie Henry
I believe the WTA will continue to be an influential force in the region. For example we used our full lobbying force to fight for the Ex-Im Bank charter renewal. One of my goals for WTA is to use our member experts as a policy advisory group to keep an eye on issues affecting regional exports such as tax laws, Free Trade Agreements and compliance issues. All of these issues relate directly to our Global City Initiative's goal to expand our region's exports in the next five years. Growing global exports will be key to our region's economic growth and I feel it is THE hot topic to watch. I am excited to be working closely with many of our volunteers on this project – a joint project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, I am a natural cheerleader for Milwaukee. I wish everyone I met understood the dynamic, united forces we have working for our region that are available to them. Not only the MMAC and WTA, but economic development agencies such as WEDC, WMEP, U.S. Export Assistance Center & District Export Council; the numerous universities and technical colleges partnering with area companies to produce a qualified labor force; and the area’s international arena – groups like the Madison International Trade Association, Lakeshore International Knowledge Exchange, Stateline Association and the International Credit Executives. We have a great team in place right now – all working together. That’s something I don’t believe exists in most metro areas. It’s a good time to be doing business in the Milwaukee region."
