
Board Members

Simona Racek
Chairwoman
Getting to Global
Simona Racek
Simona Racek serves as the WITOC President. She is the Co-Founder, Co-CEO of TradeZiris, a tech trade startup focused on making international trade more human-centered using digital innovations.
Simona is leading the development of a global digital standard initiative for managing trade transactions online following the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) latest guidelines, in collaboration with the San Diego and Imperial District Export Council. For the past seven years, Simona has been working as the Founder and CEO of Just Down The Street, where she acts as an international trade consultant for world trade centers, trade and economic development organizations, and SMEs improving trade processes using innovative digital tools. As the President of Women in International Trade, Orange County, Simona is committed to the advancement of women in business.
Simona’s personal experience of growing up in Romania during the communist regime, motivates her to improve the expansion of access to goods, services, and information around the world. Simona has a BS in international business and has received awards for excellence in export development, including the 2016 Educational Award for Excellence in Export Development from the District Export Council of Southern California and Port of Los Angeles. Simona is a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional. She practices mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition and is fluent in Romanian.

Siddhi Khara
President
Ayra Consulting
Siddhi Khara
Siddhi Khara is an avid entrepreneur & international trade professional who is solution-driven, reliable, and detail-oriented. Her professional career in trade began as an Assistant Trade Specialist for the U.S. Commercial Service. She then worked for a Los Angeles based Food & Beverage export company (ATI); where she obtained first-hand experience in international logistics, documentation, and sales. She embarked on her entrepreneurial journey when she started her own innovative import digital platform (BIB); where U.S.based customers could rent or purchase imported South Asian textiles and garments. She gained international strategy experience as a consultant for renowned market research firm- Euromonitor International in which she spent 5 years providing data-driven solutions for market entry, competitive analysis, and product positioning to clients in the CPG & B2B space across a variety of industries (Food, Beauty, Packaging). Currently, she is in the process of starting her own consulting firm- Ayra Consulting. She works closely with clients such as Nomadory- focused on sustainable trade; to develop and execute their digital media marketing strategy. Siddhi is an MBA graduate from UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School Of Business, UCLA Certification Program in International Trade & Commerce, UC Irvine BA Business Econ & BA International Studies. She currently serves as Vice President & OWIT representative for WITOC.

Destinee Broussard
Vice President
Trade Compliance Specialist
Destinee Bousard
A

Sharla Marocchi
Treasurer
BHR Law Group
Sharla Marocchi
Sharla celebrates her 7th year on the WITOC board of directors! She now oversees the Chairman's Advisory Council. Organization, development, processes, and bringing out the best in people are her passions. Her professional background includes legal compliance, administration, and paralegal along with business development and operations. Her success in expanding international business resulted in being awarded 2018 Exporter of the Year from the Irvine Chamber of Commerce. She began her career in New York City in advertising sales with Modern Bride Magazine. She has been a Director of Operations and Export Manager. She holds a degree from Brigham Young University in Communications and Business.

Alondra Gaytan
Treasurer
Economic Development Collaborative – SBDC
Alondra Gaytan
Alondra Gaytan

Jessica Yip
Membership
Inven Global
Jessica Yip

Jasmine Braswell
Government Liason
US Commercial Services
Jasmine Braswell
Top-performing professional offering several years experience providing dynamic business development and account management strategizing to the U.S. Department of Commerce. A record of success in consulting US companies and customizing solutions to enhance targets and direction to successfully export US goods and services to foreign counties. Proven track record of identifying creative ways to present and implement export- related initiatives and programs to enhance agency visibility and promote trade. Knack for using advanced communication skills to obtain, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders resulting in successful and meaningful partnerships in the international business community and completion of project goals.

Natalie Hatour
Government Lisaon
US Commercial Services
Natalie Hatour
Natalie Hatour
Advisory Council

Karen Scuncio
Advisor
OC Small Business Development
Karen Scuncio
Karen Scuncio is a part-time consultant with the Orange County Small Business Development Center (SBDC) specializing in international business from operations to sales. Since 1997, Karen has been a principal of S-C International which provides product development and sales representative services. The firm assists businesses in increasing their US and International sales. Over the years, she has worked with numerous companies in a wide range of industries and has helped them grow their international sales and operations.
Karen has over 25 years of international business experience. Her career started after graduating from California State University Fullerton with a B.A., Business Administration with a concentration in international marketing. She began working in the international freight forwarding and customs brokerage field which gave her a strong foundation in import/export logistics and US regulatory compliance. She has continued to be actively involved with OC trade community.

Harvinder Mudahar
Advisor
Technologent
Harvinder Mudaha
A highly experienced sales and marketing professional with MBA in Business Administration with emphasis on Marketing. Experienced in developing and implementing action plans to deliver effective customer solutions and building long-term strategic relationships. Solid experience in managing teams to increase efficiency and productivity, while maintaining and improving customer relationships. Superior skills in project management, export control, customer relation, event coordination as well as database management. Responsible and detail-oriented in project

Michael Jackson
Advisor
Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury
Michael Jackson
MICHAEL JACKSON joined Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury LLP in 2003. He received his B.A. from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), cum laude, in 1999, his J.D. from Whittier Law School, cum laude, in 2002 and is a member of the California bar. Mr. Jackson specializes in import and export matters including classification, valuation, origin marking, antidumping/countervailing duty issues, CBP/FDA/IPR seizures and recordkeeping. He is also experienced in assisting companies meet the requirements of various U.S. Customs and Border Protection sponsored programs including C-TPAT and ISA. He participates in various Southern California trade associations including the Orange County Bar Association - International Law Section Chair-Elect, Women in International Trade - Orange County (WITOC) as the Professional Development Chair as well as active memberships in the LACBFFA and FTA . He has traveled extensively on client matters throughout North America, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East and Southeast Asia.

Sean Hill
Advisor
Avalon Risk Management
Sean Hill
Sean Hill is an Account Executive with Avalon Risk Management. Sean has over 10 years
experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Avalon, Sean worked directly with
retail agents in helping to secure commercial insurance package policies in over 100
different niches. He also has underwriting experience in establishing new programs that
have helped increase new business production in specialty niche markets.
Sean is a member of Emerging Insurance Professionals, Southern Orange County
Chapter, has a P&C license and an Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designation. He
is also an Air Force veteran and has a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Arizona State
University. Sean participates in various industry organizations such as the Harbor Trucking
Association, Foreign Trade Association, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Women
in Trade Los Angeles, and Orange County chapters. His experience has been valuable in
helping clients with their insurance and surety needs.
Past Presidents
2021 – 2022 | Simona Racek, Trade Consultant and Small Business Owner | 2018 – 2020 | Sharla Marocchi, Operations Director and Consultant |
2015 – 2017 | Karen Scuncio, OC Small Business Development Center |
2009 – 2014 | Margaret Heine, Attorney at Law |
2007 – 2008 | Ana Ascencio |
2006 – 2007 | Rosa Hernandez, MGIC |
2005 – 2006 | Laura Gimenez, City of Santa Ana |
2003 – 2005 | Anita Cates-Reyes, CATES-REYES Enterprises |
2001 – 2003 | Melanie Froysaa, Mazda North American Operations |
2000 – 2001 | Mary Francia, Century Communications |
1999 – 2000 | Margaret Heine, Attorney at Law |
1998 – 1999 | Wendy Huff Levi, Bausch & Lomb Surgical |
1997 – 1998 | Irene Bassin, Bassin & Associates |
1996 – 1997 | Tanya Foxe, Penske Logistics |
1995 – 1996 | Diana Fierro Carr, Denny’s International |
1994 – 1995 | Patty Senecal, Transport Express, Inc. |
1993 – 1994 | Michael Doesburg, Jetstream Cargo Group |
1992 – 1993 | Betty Harder Lucero, Silicon Systems |
1991 – 1992 | Lydia McClure Lee, AST Research |
1990 – 1991 | Paula Polizzi, Mai Basic Four |
1989 – 1990 | Loraine Hodgson, Cycle Industries |
1988 – 1989 | Kathleen Miltimore, Zet Marketing Co., Inc. |