Emily Brinkmoeller, President & Founder
emily@overseasstrategies.com

Emily Brinkmoeller founded Overseas Strategies in order to provide a comprehensive suite of international business development services to small and medium sized companies, in both the U.S. and abroad, expanding globally.   

Having worked in the International trade arena for many years, ultimately as Managing Director of the World Trade Center Illinois, Ms. Brinkmoeller became intricately involved in the international business community in Chicago and established solid contacts overseas.  Emily brings extensive experience working directly with emerging companies in Illinois and across the world both in trade training and hands on trade counseling.

Ms. Brinkmoeller has worked directly with foreign governments globally and provided first class solutions to their international trade and investment promotion goals in Illinois.  Ms. Brinkmoeller holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management with concentrations in International Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship and holds an International Business Development Certification from Thunderbird University in Arizona.  Her education has led her to study in Europe, Asia and Africa in addition to her undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY.

 Avaneesh Marwaha, Partner
avaneesh@overseasstrategies.com

Avaneesh Marwaha brings his legal and regulatory experience to the Overseas Strategies team.  With years of experience in dealing with regulatory agencies, import and export issues, intellectual property issues and general business matters, Avaneesh understands the value of effective legal and regulatory counseling.
 
Avaneesh has extensive experience in handling complex legal matter and business situations.  He has successfully assisted his clients with development, growth and expansion into new and old industries.  He understands the global marketplace and the need for strong intellectual property portfolios and brand management. 
 
Mr. Marwaha  has also counseled clients on all aspects of FDA, FTC and related regulatory matters including product labeling, claim drafting, advertising, and approval, GRAS affirmations, 403(r)(6) statements, Bio-Terrorism Act registrations, good manufacturing practices, and import/detention issues.
 
Mr. Marwaha graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and then went on to receive his Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law with a concentration in Intellectual Property.

Marcelino Garcia, Partner

marcelino@overseasstrategies.com                                       

Advisory Committee
Behind Overseas Strategies is first class Advisory Committee consisting of experts in various aspects of International Business.  Committee members often serve as partners on projects undertaken by Overseas Strategies.

Mr. Christian Bartley                                                                                              CEO, World Trade Center WI; Partner, Faleiro

Bartley has wo

Phil Corse has a classical marketing background and has worked for several consumer products package goods and durables companies for 15 years. He has held a variety of positions in global marketing, sales and general management positions. He co-founded 5 companies with new products/new technology in Singapore, China and Chicago. He has conducted hundreds of new product and marketing engagements. He sources products from China for his clients and his own companies. Phil has helped launch dozens of new products that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.

Kathleen Houlihan

Kathleen Houlihan is the founding director of the Center for Global Peace through Commerce at Dominican University, which focuses on social entrepreneurship.  Previously, she served as an Assistant Managing Director for international trade with the State of Illinois, overseeing four offices in Asia Pacific. She is also a former director of Chicago Sister Cities International.   In 2005, Ms. Houlihan managed the Chicago portion of the Iraq out-of-country election on behalf of the International Organization for Migration. Her work in Washington, D.C. spanned from the Council on Foreign Relations to the U.S. Committee for UNDP. In 2003, she was named a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. Kathleen received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame and her master’s degree from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Ms. Catherine Lee
Consultant, Author
Catherine M. Lee is founder and President of CDL & Associates, a consulting firm which specializes in communications, international negotiations, multi-national team building, and leadership development. Her book, The New Rules of International Negotiation:  Building Relationships, Earning Trust, and Creating Influence Around the World can now be found in all the major bookstores.

Ambassador Allan N. Lever
Former Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Allan Lever has served as Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Canadian Consul General in Chicago, President of the World Trade Center Chicago and Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Global Partnership all building upon his many years in the Canadian Government in external affairs and international programs.  Currently Amb. Lever works with Chicago area companies looking to explore business opportunities in the Middle East leveraging his contacts, both political and business, and deep cultural understanding of the region.

Donal O'Brien
Partner, Bryan Cave; Founder, The Ireland Network

Donal O'Brien focuses his practice on a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance and general securities.  He also has represented a number of foreign direct investments into the United States with a particular emphasis on investment both to and from the Republic of Ireland. Donal founded the Ireland Network, a 'forum' for Irish-born professionals living and working in Chicagoland to connect to Chicago business and social networks.

Mr. Richard McMenamin
Regional Director of Business Development, Clifton Gunderson, LLP; Co-Chairman, US - India Chamber of Commerce