International Career Forum
International Career Forum
Join us at the International Career Forum to learn about international careers and explore global opportunities. You will be able to connect with professionals working in large companies and small ones as well as a number of professionals with experience in international organizations. Meet people with international interests who have built successful careers in business, government agencies, education and the arts!
The event Schedule
1- 1:45 PM
Textron Aviation
Global Careers in Kansas and Beyond
Global Careers in Kansas and Beyond
2-3:15 PM
Break-out sessions on
Business, Communication and Leadership
Creative Arts/Languages & Culture
Public Service and Non-Profits and Education
Business, Communication and Leadership
Creative Arts/Languages & Culture
Public Service and Non-Profits and Education
3:15- 4 PM
Refreshments and Networking
Our Speakers
Marcelo Bastos Moreira
Textron Aviation
The vice president of Latin America and Caribbean Sales for Textron Aviation. In this role, he manages the Latin American turboprop and jet aircraft sales team. Marcelo started his career in aviation, working for Textron Financial Corporation (TFC). During his time at TFC, Marcelo held multiple roles in contract administration, credit underwriting, and sales. He moved to Singapore in 2010 where he helped develop the TFC Asia Pacific aircraft finance portfolio as a sales director. Later in 2012, Marcelo joined Cessna Aircraft Company as regional sales director, responsible for all aircraft sales for a specific region in Asia Pacific It was shortly after the Cessna/Beechcraft merger in 2015 that Marcelo joined the aftermarket sales team in a leadership role, responsible for Maintenance, Pro Advantage and Parts sales.
The vice president of Latin America and Caribbean Sales for Textron Aviation. In this role, he manages the Latin American turboprop and jet aircraft sales team. Marcelo started his career in aviation, working for Textron Financial Corporation (TFC). During his time at TFC, Marcelo held multiple roles in contract administration, credit underwriting, and sales. He moved to Singapore in 2010 where he helped develop the TFC Asia Pacific aircraft finance portfolio as a sales director. Later in 2012, Marcelo joined Cessna Aircraft Company as regional sales director, responsible for all aircraft sales for a specific region in Asia Pacific It was shortly after the Cessna/Beechcraft merger in 2015 that Marcelo joined the aftermarket sales team in a leadership role, responsible for Maintenance, Pro Advantage and Parts sales.
Sam Billen
Primary Color Music
Sam Billen is a composer and entrepreneur based in Lawrence, Kansas. He has produced and composed music scores for hundreds of commercials across the globe for clients such as McDonald’s, BMW, and Google. Before starting his music production company Primary Color Music he released albums and toured the US as a solo artist and in the band The Billions. Sam heads up both the US and Japanese branches of Primary Color Music and has in recent years created new branches of the company dealing in post audio production (The Post Haus) as well as a curated online music licensing catalog (The Garden).
Sam Billen is a composer and entrepreneur based in Lawrence, Kansas. He has produced and composed music scores for hundreds of commercials across the globe for clients such as McDonald’s, BMW, and Google. Before starting his music production company Primary Color Music he released albums and toured the US as a solo artist and in the band The Billions. Sam heads up both the US and Japanese branches of Primary Color Music and has in recent years created new branches of the company dealing in post audio production (The Post Haus) as well as a curated online music licensing catalog (The Garden).
Robert J. Rebori
President of Bio-Microbics, Inc.
He also president of SeptiTECH- a subsidiary of Bio-Microbics and Scienco/FAST – a division of Bio-Microbics, Inc. Focusing on innovative water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment products for the onsite industry. Mr. Rebori graduated from Rider College (currently Rider University) in Lawrenceville, New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, majoring in marketing with a heavy concentration in management.Since March of 1996, he has been President of Bio-Microbics, a company formerly affiliated with Smith & Loveless, which is dedicated to the onsite wastewater treatment industry. He also has been President of Scienco/FAST, Inc. since October of 2000.
He also president of SeptiTECH- a subsidiary of Bio-Microbics and Scienco/FAST – a division of Bio-Microbics, Inc. Focusing on innovative water, wastewater, and stormwater treatment products for the onsite industry. Mr. Rebori graduated from Rider College (currently Rider University) in Lawrenceville, New Jersey with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, majoring in marketing with a heavy concentration in management.Since March of 1996, he has been President of Bio-Microbics, a company formerly affiliated with Smith & Loveless, which is dedicated to the onsite wastewater treatment industry. He also has been President of Scienco/FAST, Inc. since October of 2000.
Dina M. Aaby
International Banking at INTRUST Bank
is Manager of International Banking at INTRUST Bank in Wichita, Kansas. She has 20+ of international banking experience, most of which has been spent overseeing international bank operations, particularly with trade finance, letters of credit, documentary collections and foreign exchange. Dina obtained CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist) certification in 2001 and is one of the few holding this certification in the Midwest. Dina serves on the Executive Board of the World Trade Council of Wichita, Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC), and the Mid America District Export Council where she serves as Treasurer. Dina graduated from Wichita State University with a BS in Business Administration, majoring in international business and economics as well as the University of Copenhagen Distinguished International Studies Program in Copenhagen, Denmark.
is Manager of International Banking at INTRUST Bank in Wichita, Kansas. She has 20+ of international banking experience, most of which has been spent overseeing international bank operations, particularly with trade finance, letters of credit, documentary collections and foreign exchange. Dina obtained CDCS (Certified Documentary Credit Specialist) certification in 2001 and is one of the few holding this certification in the Midwest. Dina serves on the Executive Board of the World Trade Council of Wichita, Kansas International Trade Coordinating Council (KITCC), and the Mid America District Export Council where she serves as Treasurer. Dina graduated from Wichita State University with a BS in Business Administration, majoring in international business and economics as well as the University of Copenhagen Distinguished International Studies Program in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Our Speakers
Joshua Kaplan
Director, Kansas City Field Office
U.S. Dept. of Commerce – International Trade Administration – U.S. Commercial Service
Joshua (“Josh”) Kaplan is the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, Kansas City Field Office. In this capacity, Josh leads a team of International Trade Specialists responsible for working with the business community in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri to increase sales in markets around the world. Josh has spent the last 8 years working with this agency, and prior to his time in Kansas City, he served 5 years in Central Virginia advising urban and rural businesses in a variety of industries on best practices for achieving international sales objectives.
U.S. Dept. of Commerce – International Trade Administration – U.S. Commercial Service
Joshua (“Josh”) Kaplan is the Director of the U.S. Commercial Service, Kansas City Field Office. In this capacity, Josh leads a team of International Trade Specialists responsible for working with the business community in Eastern Kansas and Western Missouri to increase sales in markets around the world. Josh has spent the last 8 years working with this agency, and prior to his time in Kansas City, he served 5 years in Central Virginia advising urban and rural businesses in a variety of industries on best practices for achieving international sales objectives.
Alexander Gerges
Beshenich Muir & Associates
Alexander Gerges is a training developer working for Beshenich Muir & Associates, supporting the US Army's Command and General Staff College distance education program. He began working as a contractor at the US Army Command and General Staff College in 2018. Since then, he has worked with the Excalibur Group, Fors Marsh Group, Training Technologies and Support Inc., and Beshenich Muir & Associates in support of the Combat Studies Institute and the Department of Distance Education at the Command and General Staff College. He majored in History and International Studies at Pittsburg State University. While at PSU, he ran the English language summer camp for Semey State Pedagogical Institute, PSU's sister school, for two summers in Semey, Kazakhstan.
Alexander Gerges is a training developer working for Beshenich Muir & Associates, supporting the US Army's Command and General Staff College distance education program. He began working as a contractor at the US Army Command and General Staff College in 2018. Since then, he has worked with the Excalibur Group, Fors Marsh Group, Training Technologies and Support Inc., and Beshenich Muir & Associates in support of the Combat Studies Institute and the Department of Distance Education at the Command and General Staff College. He majored in History and International Studies at Pittsburg State University. While at PSU, he ran the English language summer camp for Semey State Pedagogical Institute, PSU's sister school, for two summers in Semey, Kazakhstan.
Laura Lombard
Director of the International Division for the Kansas Department of Commerce
Laura Lombard is the Director of the International Division for the Kansas Department of Commerce. She was previously the President & CEO of Kansas Global Trade Services. She is an accomplished executive with more than ten years of experience in international trade, consulting with Fortune 100 and 500 businesses, non-profit organizations, small-to-medium-sized companies, and public-private partnerships. Laura participated on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC-9) on Small, Minority, and Women-Led Businesses. Laura graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies with a master’s degree in international relations and economics. She also has a B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Kansas.
Laura Lombard is the Director of the International Division for the Kansas Department of Commerce. She was previously the President & CEO of Kansas Global Trade Services. She is an accomplished executive with more than ten years of experience in international trade, consulting with Fortune 100 and 500 businesses, non-profit organizations, small-to-medium-sized companies, and public-private partnerships. Laura participated on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC-9) on Small, Minority, and Women-Led Businesses. Laura graduated from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies with a master’s degree in international relations and economics. She also has a B.A. in political science and international studies from the University of Kansas.
Corina Snyder
Corina Snyder's passion for exploring diverse cultures, languages, and international affairs has been a lifelong journey. Her initial fascination with these subjects took root at a young age and has only deepened over the years. After navigating various life experiences, including a fulfilling period of being a dedicated mother, Corina found herself at a crossroads. It was during this pivotal moment that she came upon an intriguing opportunity at a small language firm, rekindling her fervor for the world of international business. During her time with Rapport International, she learned an incredible amount about the language industry and is excited to share her knowledge with you today.
Our speakers
Christine Knudsen
Christine Knudsen is a dynamic international humanitarian leader working with refugees and displaced children and families for more than 25 years. She has worked with international NGOs and the UN throughout her career, including Heart to Heart International, leading their Ukraine response and was recently posted in Nairobi with UN Habitat working with partners to improve slum conditions and support COVID response in informal settlements. She was the Executive Director of Sphere, the premiere reference in establishing common standards for humanitarian assistance globally. Before joining Sphere, she was Chief of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian & Partnership section in the Office of Emergency Programmes at UNICEF and UN OCHA in Geneva, deployed to East and Southern Africa, and leading inter-agency coordination immediately after the Haiti 2010 earthquake.Christine holds a Masters Degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins/SAIS (Bologna, Italy and Washington, DC). She is a proud Jayhawk, leaving KU in 1989 and awarded the Distinguished Service Citation in 2007.
Sheree Willis
University of Kansas
Willis has over 37 years of experience in international work, including extensive experience in developing and managing international education projects. She has trained and supervised Chinese language instructors, managed an extensive K-12 Chinese language distance learning program for 21 schools in five states, developed innovative curriculum, and led seven federally funded STARTALK summer language programs. Willis’ broad previous experiences include management roles in the KU Center for East Asian Studies, the Center for International Business Education and Research, and the Office of Study Abroad, over ten years of experience as a. Chinese-English simultaneous/consecutive interpreter/translator, with an emphasis in educational exchange, and service as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State in Tunis, Shanghai, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in East Asian languages and cultures (Chinese literature) and a Ph.D. in foreign language education from the University of Kansas.
Willis has over 37 years of experience in international work, including extensive experience in developing and managing international education projects. She has trained and supervised Chinese language instructors, managed an extensive K-12 Chinese language distance learning program for 21 schools in five states, developed innovative curriculum, and led seven federally funded STARTALK summer language programs. Willis’ broad previous experiences include management roles in the KU Center for East Asian Studies, the Center for International Business Education and Research, and the Office of Study Abroad, over ten years of experience as a. Chinese-English simultaneous/consecutive interpreter/translator, with an emphasis in educational exchange, and service as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State in Tunis, Shanghai, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur. She holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in East Asian languages and cultures (Chinese literature) and a Ph.D. in foreign language education from the University of Kansas.
Lena Batt
Lena Batt (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Batt uses mixed methods to explore topics around leadership decision making and school finance policy. In particular, she explores how school, district, and state leaders make sense of resource decisions and how they determine priorities in school-level spending. She developed a love of travel early on when she got the chance to travel to Mexico with the Spanish Club in high school and took an international relations class. Ever since, she has spent time exploring the world. After college, she started in the corporate world as a consultant and then became a high school and middle school teacher in New York City and in Massachusetts. She was a high school principal in the New York City public schools.