Global Chamber® New York City is making bold strides in 2025, curating a vibrant schedule of international business activities and welcoming a steady influx of new members. This growth is a direct result of the dynamic leadership of Executive Director Susan Gitenstein Assadi and Advisory Board Chair Charles Bernard, whose collaborative vision has energized the advisory board and elevated the organization’s global reach.
Together, they continue to foster meaningful connections, spotlight emerging opportunities, and position Global Chamber NYC as a hub for cross-border innovation and influence.
Charles Bernard, Advisory Board Chair
Charles is the founder and CEO of Criteria for Success, a sales consulting firm, and Collavia, a SaaS company that brings sales strategy to life with AI.
He has spent over 20 years helping business leaders build stronger sales teams and increase revenue through practical frameworks and leadership development. Based in New York City, Charles works with clients across industries and is also a frequent speaker on sales, AI, and organizational growth.
He is the pioneer of the selling operating system called "Enabling Buying in a World of Selling," which helps organizations move from pushing products to creating conditions where buyers buy with confidence.
Charles says, “I joined the advisory board because I believe Global Chamber brings together the right voices to make a real difference for business leaders. The collaboration and global reach align perfectly with my work helping companies grow in smarter and more human ways."
Susan Gitenstein Assadi, Executive Director
Since stepping into the role of executive director in 2019, Susan has led Global Chamber New York City through a period of strategic expansion and innovation. Under her guidance, the organization has built a diverse and engaged membership base while evolving its programming to meet the demands of a rapidly changing global business landscape.
In addition to her role at the Global Chamber, Susan leads GA PR, a boutique firm specializing in expert-driven and thought leadership campaigns. A nationally respected media strategist, she has secured top-tier placements in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The New York Times, Barron’s, Reuters, Bloomberg, and CNBC. Her work consistently elevates small and midsize companies to visibility typically reserved for Fortune 500 brands.
Susan is also the co-founder of Safed House, a welcoming space for refugees and immigrants to share their stories, find support, and build community — reflecting her deep commitment to empathy, storytelling, and social impact.
Susan says, “When I assumed leadership of the chapter six years ago, we were a fledgling group with great potential. Over the past year, under Charles’s thoughtful guidance as chair of our advisory board, we’ve cultivated a vibrant network of global leaders. Their energy and vision have propelled our growth, fostering meaningful business synergies and unlocking new opportunities for their respective companies.”
Steven Nicokiris, Managing Director, CBIZ Advisors
Steven Nicokiris delivers hands-on business, audit, and tax guidance to privately held, family-owned, and private-equity-backed middle market companies, with a sharp focus on global expansion and sustainable growth. His client portfolio spans a wide range of industries — including consumer products, apparel, retail, electronics, housewares, finance, food and beverage, professional services, and staffing — reflecting his versatile expertise and deep market understanding.
From startup strategy to complex buy/sell transactions, Steven advises clients with a global lens. He identifies tax planning opportunities to optimize outcomes, supports budgeting and cash flow forecasting, and helps structure financing arrangements to fuel long-term success.
In addition to serving on the advisory board of Global Chamber NYC, Steven is a board member of the Metro Professional Networking Group and has been a Vistage Trusted Advisor for over a decade — further demonstrating his commitment to leadership, collaboration, and community impact.
Steven said, “I joined the advisory board of the New York chapter of the Global Chamber because I wanted to take a leadership role in its growth under the guidance and vision of Charles Bernard and make a significant impact on the success of member companies with global expansion aspirations.”
Jean-Paul Richer, Port of New York and New Jersey
Jean-Paul Richer (JP) serves as the Northeast regional account manager for the commercial outreach team within the Port Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In this role, he builds and maintains strategic relationships with shippers and beneficial cargo owners across the Northeast, while spearheading marketing programs, communication strategies, and business initiatives to drive growth at the Port of New York and New Jersey.
Since joining the agency in 2016, JP has established himself as a key member of the port operations team.
JP’s expertise in logistics, stakeholder engagement, and infrastructure strategy adds valuable perspective to the Global Chamber NYC Advisory Board, reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to international business connectivity and regional economic vitality.
JP says, “I joined the Global Chamber NYC Advisory Board not only to promote the Port Gateway but to also pursue, develop and maintain synergies and working relationships among NYC and local supply chain professionals, transportation and logistics providers as well as shippers and manufacturers to identify opportunities to support and assist one another.”
Anthony De Filippis, Co-CEO, CargoTrans
Anthony De Filippis is the co-CEO of CargoTrans, a family-founded logistics company dedicated to making global trade simple, visible, and sustainable. Having grown up in the business, he brings firsthand experience from the warehouse floor to executive leadership, giving him a unique perspective on today’s supply chain challenges. Anthony works closely with CEOs and business leaders to cut through the complexity of shifting tariffs, evolving regulations, and global unpredictability, helping them turn challenges into opportunities. His leadership emphasizes clarity, transparency, and partnership, viewing logistics not as a commodity but as a strategic driver of growth. Anthony is recognized for his ability to provide calm in the chaos and actionable strategies that strengthen both businesses and relationships. At CargoTrans, he continues to expand the company’s global reach, supporting technology initiatives while fostering a workplace culture built on integrity, collaboration, and long-term impact.
Anthony says, “I joined the Global Chamber NYC Advisory Board to help businesses cut through the complexity of global trade and create partnerships across the world.”
Melanie Fox, Founder, SpeechFox
As a speech coach, Melanie Fox empowers executives and public figures to speak clear, confident English through accent reduction and interview and presentation training. She also trains actors to master authentic English and Spanish dialects. A paid public speaker, she helps audiences “hack into language” and is the host of the new podcast "Hack That Accent." Melanie served as advisory board chair in 2024.
Melanie says, “I joined the Global Chamber NYC Advisory Board to help generate synergies between businesses based in NYC who want to do business abroad and vice versa — feels like we have our fingers on the pulse of the global business vortex!”
Bernardita Calinao, Founder and CEO, Walkspan
Bernardita Calinao is the founder and CEO of Walkspan, an AI-driven SaaS company that delivers neighborhood intelligence for real estate. As an environmental planner, she has spent over 25 years directing interdisciplinary studies and formulating sustainable strategies for the urban, transportation, and energy sectors in the U.S. and abroad. Walkspan is a powerful intelligence platform designed to increase sales while simplifying the process of finding the right neighborhoods for real estate clients.
Bernardita says, “I joined the Global Chamber to expose the value of Walkspan for business placemaking decisions at a global scale.“
Doug Wendt, Co-founder, Wendt Partners
Doug Wendt is the co-founder and senior partner of Wendt Partners, a global HubSpot CRM consultancy headquartered in New York with offices in Toronto, London, and Melbourne. Doug has spent the entirety of his 30+ year career focused on designing and delivering innovative technologies for ERP, CRM, and quality management in technology and industrial enterprises.
Doug says, "I joined the Global Chamber New York City Advisory Board because I believe in the power of collaborative innovation to reshape global business practices. This opportunity allows me to blend my experience with fresh ideas to drive meaningful change on the global stage. Now, more than ever, we need leaders who care about crossing borders and building bridges, and the Global Chamber is at the heart of that movement."
Monica Varas, Founder, VIB Global
Monica Varas is the founder of VIB Global and Varas Insurance Brokerage, specializing in innovative insurance solutions for U.S. companies and international businesses entering the U.S. market. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked across industries including technology, logistics, construction, and global trade. Based in New Jersey, Monica partners with clients across the United States, Latin America, and Europe, helping them protect assets and scale confidently.
Monica says, "I joined the advisory board because I believe in building bridges for entrepreneurs. Global Chamber’s collaborative, worldwide network aligns perfectly with my mission to help businesses grow and succeed across borders."
Stefanie Eimesser, Coordination Manager, New York Chapter
Stefanie Eimesser is the coordination manager for Global Chamber’s New York Chapter, bringing over a decade of international experience in marketing, business development, and event management across premium consumer goods and the travel industries. Originally from Bavaria, Germany, Stefanie relocated to New York City in 2023 after winning the U.S. green card lottery to pursue her dream of living and working in her favorite city. With a master’s degree in marketing management, she combines a proven ability to drive growth and build brand equity through creative, results-oriented strategies with a passion for strengthening New York’s global business community.
Stefanie says, “I joined the Global Chamber NYC because I believe in the power of global connections and want to help create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and growth across our international community.”
Our chapter holds monthly in-person meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. ET and monthly online meetings on the second Monday of each month at 5 p.m. ET.
About Global Chamber New York City
Members of Global Chamber® New York City gain access to millions of customers, partners and trusted connections in 525 metro areas around the world to grow their business. We help companies export, import, invest and be more successful.
We're the only organization in New York with hundreds of locations outside of the state that supports attraction, landing, exporting, importing and investment. Our network of over 100 million trusted connections are a key asset to any company looking for more growth.
To get connected with Global Chamber New York City, contact Executive Director Susan Assadi at susan@globalchamber.org. For more information visit www.globalchamber.org.
Media Contact
Susan Assadi
susan@globalchamber.org
