WIIT invites you to join us in celebrating International Women's Day 2018 at Jones Day on March 13th. WIIT will be hosting an insightful discussion on the 2019 Congressional trade agenda, from the perspectives of emerging women leaders in Congress. The event will include a panel discussion followed by a reception.
Wednesday, March 13th from 5:30 - 8:00pm
Register by Feb. 22nd for Early Bird Rates
$40 WIIT Members / $60 Non-Members
Register between Feb 23rd and March 13th
$50 WIIT Members / $70 Non-Members
Jones Day 300 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
February 21, 2019 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Women in Agriculture: Talking Trade with Canada’s Minister of Agriculture*
Hear from the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to discuss
the Government of Canada’s gender focus in the agriculture sector,
the USMCA and Canada-U.S. agriculture trade generally.
Be ready for an engaging discussion! *Event open to WIIT members only.
Hosted by the Embassy of Canada, Washington, DC
February 21, 2019 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Views from the “Trade Guys” Podcast
Hosted and Co-Sponsored by Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC
February 27, 2019 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Navigating the Future: Tariff Implications
of the Trade War for U.S. Manufacturers
Hosted at Sandler Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., Washington, DC
March 1, 2019 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Taking Charge of Your Career from Internship
to the C-Suite
Hosted by CT Strategies, Washington, DC
March 1, 2019 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
New Moms Roundtable
Hosted by Pfizer, Washington, DC
March 5, 2019 | 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Trade Talk: US Sanctions, Export Controls,
and Other Trade Tools Rescheduled from January 23rd
Hosted at Dechert LLP, Washington, DC
March 13, 2019 | 5:30pm - 8:00pm
WIIT's 2019 International Women's Day Reception $40 WIIT Members / $60 Non Members until Feb 22nd
Hosted at Jones Day, Washington, DC
March 15, 2019 | 9:00am - 5:00pm Location TBD
OWIT International Board Meeting
Network with OWIT International and our 22 sister chapters
around the globe who will join us.
All WIIT DC members are invited to attend the OWIT International Board meeting. OWIT International will discuss its 2019 agenda and their numerous volunteer positions available.
WIIT/OWIT Networking and Fashion Event at
Ann Taylor Connecticut Avenue
25% Off Your Full Price Purchase for all WIIT and OWIT shoppers!
Hosted at Ann Taylor on Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
NEW WEB SITE COMING SOON!
You will soon see a different look and feel when you go to our web site! In addition, we have a new backend system that will streamline your registration and renewal process. As with any change, there may be a few hiccups along the way but our team is here to help.
Benefits:
Easier Navigation
Event Calendar right on the home page
Upcoming photo galleries, job postings, member directories and more
Manage your data easily through our portal, including renewals
WIIT Trust integrated with WIIT site
Better integration with our email system so that you hopefully won’t miss a single issue of our WIIT Weekly newsletters!
We will send an email when we launch and post FAQs on our web site. Thank you in advance for your patience during this transition.
If you have any issues, please email us at info@wiit.org.
Event Recaps
WIIT and CompTIA Host USMCA Provisions Discussion
On February 12 WIIT hosted a luncheon to discuss provisions in the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA) that impact the technology industry. Panelists discussed how cross-border data flows and limitations on where data can be stored and processed are foundational to the growth of the global tech industry. The panelists discussed other key provisions in the agreement including encryption, source code, and standards.
Conversation centered around privacy as central to digital trade. The panelists noted that the USMCA includes privacy provisions that speak to the spirit of innovation that allow for flexibility and interoperability. The group discussed the need for a U.S. federal privacy law to show U.S. leadership and commitment to privacy as well as to serve as a global model on privacy. Predictions were made as to the timing of Congressional ratification for the USMCA and global dialogues were discussed to further advance and adopt the key digital trade provisions that are found in the USMCA.
Panelists included Danielle Gilliam-Moore, Manager for Federal Government Affairs, Salesforce; Devi Keller, Director, Global Policy Semiconductor Industry Association; and Stefanie Holland, Director, International Government and Regulatory Affairs.
The event was sponsored by CompTIA, is corporate sponsor of WIIT and supporter of its trade education programs.
WIIT and Steptoe & Johnson Hosted Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade & Development
WIIT was honored to host a highly interactive roundtable with Finland’s Minster for Foreign Trade & Development, Anne-Mari Virolainen, as well as a delegation of 4 leading Finnish businesswomen on Monday February 11th. Kindly hosted by Steptoe & Johnson, the Minister launched a wide ranging discussion focusing primarily on women’s and gender issues, from health care to education and most importantly, the leadership role that Finnish women play in business and in politics.
The lively exchange focused on how we can work together to break down double standards and ensure that women reach the highest levels of leadership, especially in business where many companies prioritize technical backgrounds. The main takeaway was the critical importance of women continuing to empower other women, support conversations on family & worklife balance, and to fight for the promotions AND the pay raises!
Trust Tidbit
We did it! The fantastic group of women who volunteered to help redo our Scholarship prompt came through in spades and we now have a great new application. Check it out!
Please be sure to share this with anyone you know who is a Junior or Senior in College or in grad school. We think these new prompts will bring in more applicants.
We would love your help in getting this application out to as many universities as possible, so if you are able to share with your alumni network, please do. If you need us to submit it, please send us the information at info@wiitttrust.org and we will get right on it. Thanks in advance for your help.
In The News
Trade, Tariffs and Key International Legislation
Take Center Stage at DC Fly-In Friday, February 8, 2019 | by Emily Matzelle
What’s happening on an international level is very impactful to those in the technology industry, according to Nicole Bivens Collinson, President of International Trade, Government Relations and Federal Affairs at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. Bivens Collinson shared her thoughts during the Capitol Hill Speakers Series, part of the CompTIA DC Fly-In that took place in Washington, D.C. Feb. 5-6.
With more than 30 years of experience in government, public affairs and lobbying, Bivens Collinson provided DC Fly-In attendees a realistic snapshot view of what’s happening right now with regards to trade, how to mitigate tariffs and specific pieces of legislation the industry should keep its eye on.
The Trade War
Bivens Collinson began by addressing the hard stance the U.S. is now taking on some of our trading partners – particularly China – after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) two years ago. She emphasized that fact that constitutionally, governance of tariffs rests with Congress.
“Congress is the one who negotiates raises and lowers tariffs. Over the years, Congress has given some of that power to the President in certain situations when specific issues are perceived as unfair to the U.S.” she said.
The timing of President Trump’s State of the Union address (held on the evening before her remarks) proved very timely to this discussion. During the address the President asked Congress for support on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and tariff powers. Bivens Collinson emphasized the importance of these free trade agreements coming down the pipe as they will affect the technology industry with regard to how data is treated, cross border data flows and more.
“Do I think the USMCA is going to pass this year?” she stated. “The answer is yes.”
WIIT's Mentoring Program - Application Deadline is Friday!
The Mentoring Program will offer participants access to one-on-one mentoring, peer-to-peer mentoring circles, panel discussions and networking events. The ultimate goal of the WIIT Mentoring Program is to increase the number of women in policy and decision-making roles in the international trade community in DC.
We encourage BOTH aspiring mentors and mentees to apply to participate in the program. Mentors get great benefits from participating, including:
Recognition as a subject matter expert and leader
Exposure to fresh perspectives, ideas and approaches
Extension of their professional development record
Opportunity to reflect on their own goals and practices
Development of their personal leadership and coaching styles
Mentees also benefit from the program by gaining:
Exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking
Advice on developing strengths and overcoming weaknesses
Guidance on professional development and advancement
Increased visibility and recognition within the industry
The opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge
Applications are due by Friday, February 15th.
Please submit your application to mentoring@wiit.org by Friday, February 15, 2019.
The application should include your resume and a cover note expressing: (i) why you want to participate in the WIIT Mentoring Program; (ii) what professional development or goals you would like to achieve/overcome during the program; and (iii) in what capacity you aim to participate (i.e. mentor or mentee).
Self Confidence is one of the hardest things to achieve, especially for women. WIIT is sharing inspirational musings by women leaders to combat this and help women be less ambivalent to LEAN IN and get to the top!
“If you just set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing."
Hear from the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay,
NEW WEB SITE COMING SOON! 
Trust Tidbit
With more than 30 years of experience in government, public affairs and lobbying, Bivens Collinson provided DC Fly-In attendees a realistic snapshot view of what’s happening right now with regards to trade, how to mitigate tariffs and specific pieces of legislation the industry should keep its eye on.
WIIT's Mentoring Program - 
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