Trade Finance: Navigating Trade Risks with Letters of Credit

Description

Learn how Letters of Credit play a pivotal role in in trade risk by providing a secure payment mechanism for both buyers and sellers.  How they act as a financial intermediary, imparting trust and confidence in trade transactions.  

Instructors:

Jeffrey Nowakowski
Jeffrey Nowakowski, Senior Vice President and Foreign Exchange Specialist at BOK Financial, provides comprehensive international banking services to commercial clients, specializing in international wire transfers, foreign currency accounts, and currency risk management. With over 25 years of experience in the foreign exchange market, he began as a currency options trader on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and later managed trading desks for multiple Denver-based hedge funds and investment advisory firms. His deep expertise in currency trading strategies and risk mitigation makes him a trusted resource for businesses navigating global markets. A frequent author and speaker, Jeffrey shares insights on currency history, FX hedging strategies, and cryptocurrencies, offering thought leadership to industry professionals and financial institutions. 

Sandra Donzella
Sandra Donzella is the Deputy Managing Director of the Western Regional Office of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (“EXIM”). In her role, she is responsible for supporting business development and outreach efforts to exporters, lenders, and partner organizations in the Western Region of the country.

Sandra joined EXIM Bank in 2001 after spending nearly a decade in International Banking, where she specialized in Trade Finance and directly worked with EXIM’s programs. She has also been involved in temporary assignments at EXIM’s Trade Credit Insurance Division as a Portfolio Manager and Underwriter for the Western Region.

Melissa Luster
Melissa Luster is a VP International Trade Sales Specialist at BOK Financial who works with Importers and Exporters to manage risk and protect payments by utilizing letters of credit for cross boarder sales. She also assists Domestic Businesses in need of Letters of Credit for Captive Insurance, Leases, Government Entities such as the Texas Railroad Commission and many others. Melissa provides leadership, training and support for her Trade Products across the footprint of BOK Financial. Her career with BOK Financial began in April of 2007 and she earned her CDCS certificate in 2013. Melissa is the current Co-Chair of the BAFT Regional Bank Committee as well member of the BAFT North American Counsel and diligently works to bring awareness and raise funds for Make a Wish Oklahoma where she is a current board member.

Training Hours:
This training counts for 3 hours towards the Certificate in International Trade. 

WTC Denver Members: If you are interested in attending this event using one of your membership's free training credits, please contact your account executive or email institute@wtcdenver.org. 

**The registration fee is nonrefundable within 48 hours prior to the training. Participant substitutions can take place at any time.**

get involved