Simona Filip Racek is an accomplished international trade consultant and the Co-Founder and CEO of TradeZiris, a trade tech startup aimed at simplifying international trade processes. With over eight years of consulting experience, she has collaborated with SMEs, ASBDC centers, trade organizations, and world trade centers to enhance exports and streamline trade processes. Simona expertise extends to digital trade policy advocacy, export planning, and facilitating applications for export-related financing. She also serves as the Chairwoman of Women in International Trade, Orange County, and leads the development of a global digital trade educational platform. Recognized for her contributions, Simona has received awards such as the 2016 Educational Award for Excellence in Export Development and the WITOC Excellence in Leadership Award. Her personal experiences growing up in communist Romania inspire her work in expanding access to goods, services, and information worldwide. Simona is also a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional, fluent in Romanian, and practices mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition.