NISHA WADHAWAN

McLean, Virginia

Permanent Resident Cardholder

Phone: 571-***-****; adwgvp@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-wadhawan-75343b11b

Renowned International Business and Trade Specialist with more than 25 years of experience driving the success of international business programs for the U.S. Department of Commerce

(USDOC) as a Foreign Service National with the U.S. Embassy in India. Selected career accomplishments include coordinating a trade advocacy portfolio valued at $71B, expertly advising U.S. companies and government officials on the complexities of conducting business in India, and facilitating meaningful trade partnerships through strategic business matchmaking operations. Had been a key player in recruiting Indian companies for the US Government’s prestigious SelectUSA program. Now poised to leverage extensive international business experience, strategic planning expertise, and superior networking skills to help your firm meet and exceed its goals.

~ Selected Areas of Expertise ~

Leadership & Team Building – Project Management – Team Management International Trade & Relations

Strategic Planning – Partnering & Networking, Business Research & Analysis – Regulatory Compliance – Stakeholder Engagement Budget Formulation – Auditing – High-Level Advising – Interagency Collaboration PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

01/2013–06/2022, Senior Commercial/Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, India INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPERTISE & ADVISING: Led analysis and advising efforts across multiple business sectors, including defense, civil aviation, safety and security, and homeland security. Served as a trusted advisor to the Minister Counselor for Commercial Affair and other U.S. government officials. Advised hundreds of U.S. companies on all aspects of conducting business in India. Delivered expert advice to both U.S. government officials and U.S. companies on policies, regulations, market conditions, and business opportunities across India. Entrusted to process sensitive data related to multibillion-dollar sales between U.S. companies and the host government. PARTNERING & TRADE OPTIMIZATION: Served as Advocacy Coordinator, overseeing a portfolio that spanned sectors and was valued at $71 billion. Identified and vetted businesses to serve as potential distributors, representatives, joint venture partners, and buyers. Secured meetings with both government and private businesses to explore international partnership opportunities. Oversaw planning and execution of strategic projects such as trade events of varying scopes, including virtual trade missions, trade missions, tradeshow exhibitions, seminars, and conferences. Customer-focused approach: worked with U.S. companies to identify strategic objectives and develop tailored plans within NISHA WADHAWAN

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the scope of the organization’s services that aligned with business and product line objectives. Prepared written mid-term and final service reports.

COMMUNICATION & INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION: Advised officials and business partners, and demonstrated executive presence on international commercial and business affairs policy issues. Cultivated positive professional relationships with Indian officials and industry executives that were critical to the success of U.S. trade and the pursuit of commercial interests. Collaborated with interagency partners, including personnel from the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, and the USDOC Bureau of Industry and Security. Experience handling cross-functional tasks and collaborating with different team leaders. Successfully acted as a Project Manager on multiple projects/missions, served as the primary point of contact for U.S. companies, forging trusted client relationships. Showcased at varied levels ability to handle multiple priorities successfully. Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

§ Formally recognized for leadership in helming a virtual trade mission, galvanizing team support to plan the event in only six weeks. Launched innovative solutions to replace trade missions that had been suspended since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.

§ Expertly assisted U.S. companies on more than 30 Advocacy Center defense cases, valued at nearly

$50B.

§ Delivered unparalleled customer service to U.S. companies seeking business opportunities in India, exemplified by coordinating trade advocacy over a five-year period for a single customer, culminating in the award of a $147 million contract.

§ Led the Aerospace and Defense team consisting of six members to exceed its goal metrics and achieve noteworthy successes for U.S. clients in India. Recognized for acumen in managing complex advocacy cases and cultivating deep government and private sector networks.

§ Provided superior leadership to the Aerospace and Defense Team, spearheading initiatives that placed the team second globally in the sector, despite regional business challenges.

§ Recognized for delivering outstanding customer service while navigating the communication challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seamlessly supported clients in a virtual environment, continuing to accurately assess needs and facilitate the achievement of objectives.

§ Commended by the Vice President of a Gold Key Service client for professionalism, attention to detail, and understanding of business objectives in developing thorough reports and coordinating meetings with potential partners and clients.

§ As a mentor, trained assistants and ensured their career growth. 10/2007–01/2013, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, India

INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPERTISE: Promoted U.S. business interests in India across education, mining, plastics, metals, material handling, pumps, and sporting business sectors. Assisted U.S. business visitors through formal programs offered through USDOC, including Gold Key Service. Delivered expert advice to U.S. business visitors and U.S. officials on market conditions and trade prospects throughout India. Performed business matchmaking services, including the coordination of sensitive meetings with government and military officials. COMMUNICATION & CLIENT SUPPORT: Established and maintained beneficial contacts with senior host-government officials, business chambers, and individual businesses. Led trade missions, NISHA WADHAWAN

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serving as a point of contact for companies and educational institutions. Planned seminars, webinars, and videoconferences to optimize trade opportunities and develop industry contacts. Represented the office at team and interagency meetings, contributing to strategic plans to promote U.S. exports. Selected Accomplishments & Key Results:

§ Skillfully coordinated a last-minute delegate program in support of a U.S. trade mission to India, masterfully organizing eight meetings and site visits, arranging matchmaking meetings for two companies, and synchronizing schedules for the entire group with less than a week’s notice.

§ Independently coordinated matchmaking meetings for more than 20 U.S. universities as part of a multi-country trade mission. Coordinated student fair, planned a networking reception, and secured government meetings.

§ Recognized by numerous clients with perfect scores on quality assurance assessment surveys. Frequently commended for delivering knowledgeable service that far exceeded expectations.

§ Entrusted to represent the organization as a key speaker for an event promoting study abroad opportunities in the U.S., gaining wide local media coverage.

§ Lauded in the annual performance review for bringing exemplary leadership and coordination skills to an in-progress summit-planning project and playing a key role in its success.

§ Recruited 22 U.S. companies to highlight U.S. technologies within a trade show pavilion in India. Secured attendance of both Indian and U.S. government officials.

§ Coordinated one-on-one business meetings for 12 U.S. exporters for a business delegation to New Delhi. Introduced an innovative tracking sheet using Microsoft Excel, providing an aerial view of all companies’ meetings.

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Earlier Relevant Experience:

• 2004–2007, Budget Analyst/Senior Administrative Support - U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, India: As Budget Analyst and Senior Administrative Support staff, I led a team consisting of six administrative staff across six posts in India. Developed annual operations and administration budget in strict compliance with USDOC standards and regulations. Experienced with tracking basic funding reconciliation including obligation and de-obligation of funds for audit and reconciliation purposes. Led annual financial audit, working closely with the USDOC audit team, and serving as a liaison with auditing authorities. Served as regional subject matter expert on daily administrative operations, policies, automated financial record keeping, and reporting system. Managed local funds and initiated procurements, reporting all transactions in the automated finance system. Made recommendations to improve office business processes to ensure smooth integration within different processes.

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration, International Business, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, India, 2016

Bachelor of Commerce, Delhi University, New Delhi, India, 1994 Relevant Coursework: Business Organization & Management, Economics, Business Law, Auditing SELECTED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & CERTIFICATIONS

Commercial Diplomacy Training

Leadership and Management Training

Foreign Service National Supervisory Skills Training NISHA WADHAWAN

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Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee’s (TPCC) Training Administrative & Financial Management Training

Performance Measure Guidance Training

User Fee Guidance Training

Cyber Security Training

State Department Mandatory Security Training

SELECTED HONORS & AWARDS

Superior Honor Award (2022), in recognition of superior leadership in implementing Mission India’s inaugural Virtual Trade Mission on behalf of the state of New Hampshire. Commended for event’s success in generating more than 50 matchmaking meetings for 10 U.S. exporters and serving as a model for virtual trade missions throughout the U.S.

Mission Honor Award (2019), for sustained exceptional performance, leadership, and customer service to assist U.S. exporters

Eagle Award (2019), for superior customer service and key contributions to team success throughout the 2019 Trade Winds Indo-Pacific Conference. Trade Winds is the largest U.S. government–led trade mission and business development forum.

Franklin Award (2012, 2009, 2007,2005), for delivering exemplary support of the inaugural education trade mission to India, establishing an industry initiative that expanded U.S. exports to India, reliably coordinating matchmaking services throughout period of exceptional growth, and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to performance excellence throughout a critical period of transition. Automated Systems & Software Platforms:

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook), Salesforce CRM, E2 Solutions Travel System

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