Mentors

Global Chamber® is a community supporting exporting, importing and cross-border investment in 605+ metros... everywhere!

We have advisory boards set up by chapter... and we're making mentors accessible around the world to help fulfill our vision of making it as easy doing business across regions as it is doing business across the street. Be global and UNSTOPPABLE!

Our mentorship program is growing... and is part of the global portal - contact Cesar or Doug for more. Some examples of the leaders available in the community are shown below.

Doug Bruhnke. Doug is founder and CEO of Global Chamber®. He's a global entrepreneur, connector, trade advocate and speaker dedicated to facilitating member growth in new markets including having them gain new clients across metros and borders. Doug has 40 years of global trade experience in nearly every market segment including automotive, aerospace, industrial, healthcare, life sciences and technology.

Doug is an inventor on 5 U.S. patents related to chemical processes and has had expatriate assignments in Tokyo and Singapore.

Doug held senior business executive roles with DuPont, Phelps Dodge Mining (Freeport McMoRan) and QuestOne/ProModel. He led major consulting projects at DuPont, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Phelps Dodge, Salt Lake 2002 and Athens 2004.

Doug's education includes a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah and an EMBA from Michigan State University. He's a member for 14+ years on the Arizona District Export Council and an advisor to the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

He's a German-Polish American born in Mount Kisco, New York. Doug has a Greek-American wife of 44 years, an amazing daughter who is a nurse practitioner, and a skateboarding superstar grandson. Connect with Doug here.

César Trabanco. César is Senior Vice President and Managing Partner at Global Chamber®, where he has been instrumental for nearly a decade in expanding the organization’s reach and impact worldwide. With a career spanning international trade, services, and global business development, Cesar brings over a decade of expertise in administration, operations, customer relationship management, project management, and leadership. His work consistently bridges multilingual and multicultural environments, fostering collaboration across diverse industries and regions.

César began his professional journey with the International Trade Centre (ITC), gaining a strong foundation in global commerce. He later served as a manager at International Assistance Service of the Americas in Mexico, overseeing service management and building strategic relationships with providers across Latin America, while acting as a liaison for clients in Europe and North America. These experiences sharpened his ability to manage complex cross-border projects and client relationships with precision and cultural awareness.

At Global Chamber®, César has played a pivotal role in market development, membership service, and leadership support, working closely with members to generate valuable business connections while guiding Executive Directors across regions to drive local and regional growth. His efforts have extended to Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, contributing to Global Chamber’s vision of building the first truly global business community. Born, raised and currently based in Puerto Rico, César is deeply committed to advancing the island’s role in global business. His focus is on creating opportunities, strengthening international trade links, and promoting economic growth for the region in the years to come.

Melissa Sanderson. Mel is the globally experienced and forward-looking Founder of Ethically Sustainable Growth (ESG+), advising Boards and companies how to position themselves for sustainable success by embracing diversity, inclusion and compassion. Her 30-year international career includes diplomacy, negotiation, and business. A seasoned and effective global manager, she is adept at cross-cultural communication and practiced in inclusivity and diversity issues.

Mel is a global board leader, and her current roles including American Rare Earths. Prior to that she led international business at Freeport. Mel sited, staffed and ran a corporate office focused on government and public relations, as well as social responsibility programs. As a senior diplomat, she trained in cultural and linguistic communications, and found shared values among diverse peoples and negotiated from an inclusive win-win perspective. As Charge d'Affaires she ran the US Embassy in Kinshasa. In Phoenix, she has won numerous awards, including the prestigious Athena Award for the Private Sector, and the Phoenix Business Journal's Dynamic Women in Business. Her international background led her to the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations and the Arizona District Export Council, both of which I currently Chair. She also chairs the global board of Global Chamber®, forming in 2024.

Mel has lived in 9 countries and speaks French and Spanish fluently. She believes businesses and investors thrive when they embrace ethics, cultural diversity and the power of personal relationships as the foundations of sustainable growth. She has also worked as a corporate investment advisor at Fifth Third Bank. Melissa has a B.A. in Economics, a B.A. in English Literature and an MBA degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tarun Chopra. Tarun Chopra is a highly accomplished global executive, distinguished by his unique experience of living on four continents and working across six. He is an award-winning transformational leader known for driving corporate growth through strategic insight, innovative perspectives, and a commitment to positive change. With extensive expertise in leading high-performance teams across diverse geographies, industries, and cultures, he brings a wealth of knowledge to every organization he serves. Tarun holds an MBA, is a Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent), and has certifications in Blockchain and SAP, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and professional excellence. He is a respected public speaker and thought leader, with insights featured in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal and CFO Magazine. His career spans roles with Fortune 500 companies and leading organizations, including Clements Worldwide, Fannie Mae, Whirlpool Corporation, Ernst & Young (EY), Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Gallagher.

Susan Shultz. Founder SSA Executive Search International, Ltd. Susan has conducted senior level searches nationally and internationally since 1981, specializing in building and structuring corporate boards. She is recognized as a leading expert in corporate governance. She authored the highly acclaimed The Board Book, Making Your Corporate Board a Strategic Force in your Company’s Success (AMACOM) and has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today, Strategic Finance, the Economist, CFO Magazine and numerous other media. She also leads the Global Board Practice for INAC Executive Search Worldwide (43countries), helping public and private companies build better boards of directors.

Kiyoko Toyama. Speaker and Community Leader. Kiyoko was the first female CEO within NKK Switches (Kawasaki, Japan). She became President of NKK Switches of America in 1999 and ran the company for 13 years, transforming it into a market leader. Today Kiyoko is a sought after speaker on cultural diversity, international business and Japan-US relations. She speaks at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, educational institutions and business organizations. She is also Past Board Chair of the Japanese Friendship Garden, Phoenix. Kiyoko holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Alverno College.

Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook. Ambassador Cook is Founder and CEO/Chair of the First Global Black Women's Chamber of Commerce (GBWCC), Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook is a Third Generation woman business owner. Appointed by the President of United States of America, Barack Obama, and nominated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ambassador Suzan Johnson Cook was the first African-American female and faith leader to hold the position of the U.S. Ambassador At-Large for International Religious Freedom. Responsible for religious freedom globally, and having all 199 countries in her portfolio, she integrated religious freedom into the foreign policy and national security discussions, and has continued to work to empower women and business leaders around the world. Often sh was the point person for all related press conferences. Ambassador Johnson Cook was the lead for Religious Freedom for more than 100 diplomatic engagements where global faith leaders and women were brought to the table. She served as the Faith Advisor to two U.S. Presidents, three Cabinet members, political and celebrity leaders. President Bill Clinton appointed her as the only faith advisor to the historic “President’s Initiative on Race”. She became famous for the standing room only Lunch Hour of Power, and Wonderful Wall Street Wednesdays, televised mid week services and seminars for the business community. The New York Times described her as “Oprah and Billy Graham rolled up into one.”

Necole F. Turner. Necole F. Turner is the founder of Innovative Butterfly, LLC., a company that aids individuals in bringing their dream of owning a small business to fruition. In addition, she is the Creator

of the Podcast "The Beautiful Butterfly Project" that focuses on business owners who are intentional about the passionate pursuit of their purpose. Necole F. Turner has over 15 years experience in the educational area of Legal Studies. Further experience includes work in the area of Legal Research and Writing and as a Paralegal in the metro Atlanta area. She is currently an Adjunct Professor in the area of Legal Studies at Kennesaw State University.

Most recently she is the co-founder of the Floyd Turner Foundation, Inc which focuses on food insecurity among college students, providing small college scholarships and educating college students on the importance of saving early for retirement in communities of underrepresented and underserved minority students.

Dana Austin. Dana Austin, an award-winning, best-selling author, writer’s Coach, and founder and CEO of Dana Austin Speaks, LLC, a business where the physical and online stage is her platform for speaking, coaching, and transforming the lives of business owners, researchers, and writers.

Dana Austin continues to exemplify excellence in business. She also serves as Executive Director of Global Chamber Atlanta. Her natural ability, as a connector and impactful leader, effectively grows the number of people and business owners to successfully engage with cross-border trade and investments, advancing commerce, careers, and communities to make the world a little better. She works with businesses, nonprofits, and governments to maximize and fulfill this goal.

Stefanie Austin. Stefanie is the Global Chamber® Dallas Executive Director. She's a native of the Bronx New York, who has found Texas as her home. She is a seasoned healthcare executive, entrepreneur, best-selling Amazon author and serves her church in support ministry. As a chamber member, she was selected to lead Austin's metro to help CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business professionals grow their brands and increase sales.

Stefanie is well equipped for success. She earned her Bachelor of Science at University of LaVerne and her MBA with a minor concentration in Healthcare Management from University of Phoenix. Outside of work she loves music, cooking, visits to the ocean, and is highly active in her church as a Servant Leader over life group and several other ministries. Stefanie has a passion for mentorship and currently works with three young women ranging from eight to twelve years old supporting them in education and career planning.

Rhonda Bowen. Rhonda Bowen is a global strategic communication guide with over 35 years of experience helping BEST (Business, Engineering, Science, Technology) professionals communicate effectively across cultures. As the founder of bells, she provides insights and support to individuals, teams, and companies to enhance their interactions and achieve greater success. Key aspects of Rhonda's approach:

- Cross-cultural communication expertise
- Individual and team coaching
- Online and offline facilitation
- Co-creation of communication strategies

Rhonda's strengths lie in observation, patience, and empathy, ensuring clients achieve substantial results. Her background includes experience as an English instructor on German national television and as a film author. She has worked with clients from over 70 countries and is known for creating a constructive working atmosphere. If you're a BEST professional looking to improve your communication skills and achieve better results in your field, Rhonda Bowen could be the mentor you need to take your career to the next level.

And more...

Dr. Sanjeev Khagram. Global, Digital, Entrepreneurial Purpose First Leader

Rubby Golo. President of Global Trade Consult and Global Advisor at Global Chamber® Accra

Donaji Montes Estrada. CEO at Intechnational

Tina Sweis. Founder at Overachieving Women Association

Colin Christie. Executive Director at Global Chamber Manila

Alex Devereux. Founder of Devereux Group

Mohammed Sh. Al-Rashidi. Founder in Telcom, mContent, mHealth, mTourism, mEducation

Ricardo Vanella. Executive Director at Global Chamber Buenos Aires

Mike Patterson. Attorney and Shareholder at Spencer Fane

Dr. Toby Malichi. Founder and Global Chief Executive of Malichi Group Worldwide

Hank Marshall. VP of Operations at Clearflow Group and 'Captain Epic'