Young International Freight Forwarder Award Winners

Biography of Claudia Ramirez - 2010 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Claudia Ramirez was born in Mexico City, and now has more than a decade of experience in the International Transportation industry.

Beginning her career as an Import and Export coordinator for a major electronics manufacturer in Mexico, after graduating from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico, with a B.A. in International Business.  Claudia was offered to participate in an exchange program in Canada through her university, due to her achievements and qualifications.  Claudia first landed in Canada in 2001 with very limited knowledge of the English language, but she didn’t let that stop her from achieving her goals.  She then graduated from Sir Sanford Fleming College, with a Diploma in International Trade.  Claudia’s education also includes the completion of the CIFFA Certificate Program in International Freight Forwarding (with honours), and is currently participating in the CIFFA Advanced Certificate Program in International Freight Forwarding. 

The scope of her experience has spanned virtually all aspects of International transportation, including import, export, customs, international moving, project cargo, etc., working in different modes of transportation, in a freight forwarding capacity.  She also obtained some experience as a customs broker working for one of the largest Customs Broker firms in Canada.  Her business experience is well-rounded, due to her involvement in a variety of sectors implicated in international transportation.

Claudia is currently working for DHL Global Forwarding (Canada) Inc., one of the most well positioned Freight Forwarders in Canada, as the Ocean Imports Team Leader in their Toronto Branch.  Her current position has given her the opportunity to expand her experience in team building and enhance her leadership skills.

Biography of Claudia Milena Giraldo Sanchez - 2009 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Claudia Milena Giraldo Sánchez was born in Colombia where she achieved her Business Administration diploma and Masters in Marketing and Tourism. While in Colombia she had the opportunity to work as a liaison between Colombia and other South American countries in the logistics and export development fields with the private and governmental sectors. At the same time she researched several projects related to Colombian Tourism and food supply chains for some International Aid foundations. She also worked as a Logistics Transport Specialist for a national Freight Forwarder company in Colombia.

Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs, Claudia Milena developed her passion for International Business while managing her family coffee business, and founded a coffee farmers cooperative that exported the famous Colombian coffee to several international markets, been in charge of international sales and transportation arrangements. Later she went on to develop new business ventures in the exports of exotic fruits and flowers as well as Colombian emeralds.

In 2002 Claudia Milena assisted at the Canadian World Youth Day, and served as a volunteer in the logistics and coordination of several committees linked to the event; she was also the personal guide for the College of Cardinals that attended the event. Later this lead to an unique opportunity; as she had the honor to be selected as one of five from over 2 million youths to personally meet and have communion with Pope John Paul II.

While in Canada, Claudia Milena continued enhancing her education, and obtained an Import and Export Certificate, as well as an International Marketing Certificate from Seneca College—achieving both certificates with High Honors. In 2008 she also completed CIFFA Module I and received the Job Nicolai Award for achieving the highest mark. She is now in the final stages of completing her International Diploma and professional certification CITP (Certified International Trade Professional) from FITT (Forum for International Trade Training), founded by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International trade, and Industry Canada.

Ms. Giraldo Sánchez currently works at MELLOHAWK Logistics, a Canadian Freight Forwarder Company, as an Import and Export Coordinator in charge of shipments to and from South America and Europe and the Humanitarian courier shipments to Cuba. She is thankful for the support of her managers and coworkers during the competition. She is also delighted to accept CIFFA’s Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award for 2009, and is proud to be representing Canada in the International Competition for 2009.

Claudia Milena is a firm believer in giving back to the community, especially to children who are our future. Therefore, along with her family, she helped to create schools for the “Cafeteritos” (small coffee farmers), providing education and access to school in remote zones of the Andean Colombian Mountains to children who help their parents in the collection of the Colombian coffee harvest. She also enjoys volunteering for the food bank, environmental campaigns, and for world peace events. Her lifetime goal is to be working with the United Nations or UNICEF utilizing her professional skills as a freight forwarder in order to help those in need, especially children.

Finally, Claudia Milena attributes the balance and continued learning in her life to her spiritual journey towards God. With strong faith, certitude, and determination she thanks God, her spiritual teacher Bawa, her family, and her friends Sareh and Andrew for bringing light and understanding to her inner path, and for helping her to became a better person and a better professional in this world.

Biography of Elvia Liliana Ordaz Huesca - 2008 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Liliana was born in Mexico. She started in the Logistics Field when she was 18 years old, and subsequently completed a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management, and a Master's degree (with honours) in Logistics and Traffic Transportation at the University of Veracruz, Mexico. She was then invited by the university to teach a few courses on traffic and transportation. In addition, Liliana worked as a freelance consultant for a few private organizations focusing on the export & import of agricultural products between Mexico & Canada.

Liliana immigrated to Canada in 2002, and since then has been working for Ecu Line Canada Inc., first as an International Traffic & Logistics Coordinator and more recently as an Ocean Export Coordinator.

Since coming to Canada, Liliana continued with her education and came in at the top of her class in CIFFA Module I, and is now continuing with CIFFA Module II.

Liliana comments that winning the CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year contest would not have been possible without support from the team at Ecu Line in making her a better and more professional freight forwarder, and from the ongoing and continued support of her parents. In recognition of the ongoing and continued support of her parents, Liliana has dedicated this award and achievement to them.

Biography of Siva Vankineni - 2007 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Mr. Siva Vankineni was born in India, where he achieved his Master's degree in International Business, and worked for DHL Global Forwarding before coming to Canada in 2004.

With DHL, he worked in Bangalore City as an Inside Sales Agent, then Sales Specialist, and then as a Sales Team Leader. When he left DHL Global, Siva was responsible for generating new business.

In 2006 and 2007, Siva achieved the highest marks in CIFFA Module I and Module II, for Central Region, and holds the CIFFA IMO DG Certification.

Siva is currently with Logistics Plus Canada, as Director. His preliminary functions includes start up activities such as recruitment, training, developing carrier relationship and identifying niche markets in Canada. Immediate responsibilities also includes National account management of an MNC and establishing the freight forwarding operation. Siva's long term responsibility is to make the Canadian entity, a profitable subsidiary of the US based parent company.

Siva aspires to make Freight Forwarding, a truly professional and reliable partnership experience for International Traders. In the long-term Siva wishes to work towards positively enhancing the lives of the underprivileged people in developing countries. Working with the transpiration side of UNICEF or any other international organisation operating in developing countries, and being a contributor for children's aid societies operating in developing nations is a personal goal of his.

Though he is very excited about winning the CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the year award for 2007, Siva says he would feel a real sense of achievement when he manages to bring back the world wide award to Canada in 2007.

Biography of Pamela Rooney - 2006 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Pamela Rooney was born and raised in Montreal. From the very beginning, Pamela has demonstrated her determination and her passion for learning. After receiving two scholarship awards, Pamela obtained her Bachelor of Commerce (major in International Business) from Concordia University with honours. Stemming from her thirst for adventure and her need to constantly challenge herself, Pamela conducted part of her studies in Cambridge, England over a period of five months.

Pamela successfully completed CIFFA Module I and continues to build on her education by working to complete CIFFA Module II. She has also obtained her IMO DG certification.

Pamela has been with Exel Global Logistics for the past 6 years. During this time she has worked in the ocean import, export and consolidation service departments. Pamela currently works as an operations agent in the Project Logistics Department and one of Pamela’s top objectives is to provide excellent customer service for very complex service requests. This includes coordinating with different departments and with management in order to provide Exel’s customers with the best solutions possible.

Pamela also participates in extracurricular activities that have allowed her to further develop her communication and leadership skills. As an internal quality auditor, Pamela conducts interviews and follows through with regular reports on the performance of Exel’s quality management system. Pamela has recently become interested in coordinating social events and fundraisers for various community causes.

Pamela’s career goal is to become a leading consultant in supply chain management.

Pamela is very proud to accept CIFFA’s Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award for 2006. She looks forward to the challenge of competing on behalf of Canada in the Worldwide Competition.

Biography of Alicia Chin - 2005 CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Award Winner

Alicia Chin was born in Trinidad. She immigrated to Canada as a teenager and immediately started an Honours Bachelor of Science Program at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. As a result of her strong, competitive nature, she completed her four-year undergraduate degree in three years.

While in the freight forwarding industry, her independence and diligence, coupled with her thirst for demanding challenges and academic interests, propelled her to obtain CIFFA module One and Two, CSCB and DG certification.

She has a strong sense of compassion and duty towards humanity as a whole and has been volunteering with Telecare Brampton (non profit distress line) for the past five years. She also serves on their Board of Directors. Her wonderful sense of humour and strong faith stand her in good stead in this valuable role in the community.

Her lifetime ultimate goal would be to improve world trade and to be the master link in a chain forged among various third world nations.

Alicia is extremely delighted to be the first employee of Exel Global Logistics in Canada to achieve the CIFFA Young Freight Forwarder of the year award and is also proud to be representing Canada in the Worldwide competition in April 2005.

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