Webinar Wednesday: Tools Of The Trade

Since joining Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) in 2010, David Kim has been a growth engineer for entrepreneurs. He has held several positions including Senior Account Manager, Regional Coach, and Senior Advisor Learning. In his current role as Regional Manager Client Diversity for the B.C. & North Region and Prairies Region, David is part of a national team working closely with BDC colleagues in the field and partner organizations where he connects underrepresented entrepreneurs with people and programs to grow and scale their businesses. He is also a strong advocate for supplier diversity educating entrepreneurs, businesses, and BDC account managers about the opportunities and impact of inclusive procurement.

Prior to BDC, David had a long career in finance and banking that spanned the globe as well as business ventures in education and technology.

A proud Canadian of Asian descent, he comes from a family of entrepreneurs and understands the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar business environment. Because of his and his family’s experiences, David is keenly aware of the influence of representation and being inspired by someone who ‘looks like me’ in the business world.

David is a graduate of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, B.C., and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce.

Matt Abels is a Senior Relationship Manager at Export Development Canada (EDC). Over the last 8 years, Matt has helped Canadian companies of all sizes and sectors grow globally. In his current role, Matt helps Ontario-based technology and media companies succeed in international markets through financing, risk management, and advisory solutions. Matt is a Certified International Trade Professional who holds a Bachelor of International Business and a Master of Business Administration. Prior to joining EDC, Matt worked in personal banking at TD Canada Trust.

Marie-Pier Brunelle is a Trade Commissioner and the Diversity Champion with the Atlantic Regional Office of Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

As a Diversity Champion, Marie-Pier and the Atlantic team are promoting an inclusive approach to trade to ensure that businesses identifying as women-led or owned by women, Indigenous, Black, racialized, youth and/or 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, are equipped with the resources and tools they need to successfully access global markets.

As a Trade Commissioner, Marie-Pier works primarily with companies from Nova Scotia in the life sciences and consumer products sectors to advance their interests in international trade.
From 2016 to 2019, Marie-Pier was posted as Second Secretary and Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Embassy in Poland, where she supported Canadian companies in accessing the Polish market in the defense, oil and gas, and medical devices sectors.

From 2007 to 2016, Marie-Pier acquired a solid background in international trade, through various positions within GAC’s headquarter in Ottawa, covering investment attraction, Canada-US, and Canada- EU bilateral trade relations. Marie-Pier holds a Bachelor degree from HEC Montreal, has 2 children and a dog.