Wanda Barquin

Wanda Barquin is an Advisor for Strategic Communication and International Partnerships.  As a Commercial Diplomat for the U.S. Commercial Service, the international trade and investment promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, she gained ample experience promoting government positions and making policy recommendations.  Much of her work has intersected‎ with executive, legislative, economic, and nongovernmental actors in both the United States and emerging markets. 

 

Wanda is focused on growing business between international markets and the United States. She is skilled at working in new countries and regions and rapidly understanding the economic, civil society, government and media factors relevant to industrial competitiveness and trade development.  She has served as a U.S. diplomat under Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. 

 

A native of Argentina, she has lived in South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Venezuela during her tenure as a diplomat.  Her extensive experience and network in emerging markets enable her to reach out to stakeholders effectively and to engage opinion elites and media organizations in understanding an organization’s mission and particular objectives. 

 

Often in her career, Wanda Barquin established strategic networks with key local and regional audiences.  She has advocated on behalf of specific positions, advised on best strategies, promoted commercial products and services, and reported regularly on developments in emerging markets.  For additional information on her effectiveness, please read what several stakeholders say in her recommendations on LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com/in/WandaBarquin). 

 

Wanda has a solid understanding of international organizations' substantive work, having worked with the Organization of American States, the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  She worked closely with the OECD Tourism Committee early in her professional career.  

 

Wanda appreciates international organizations' need to help others understand their mission and objectives.  A good example of that was when she helped implement "The Tourism Satellite Account: Methodological Framework" (TSA).  They relied on educating, building capacity and involving stakeholders in the TSA project from the beginning, in order to improve audiences' participation and acceptance of the Framework. 

 

More recently, Wanda designed and implemented the first communication plan to support the Secretary of Commerce's goals in Asia.  She capitalized on the buzz generated by Cabinet members’ visits to the region and showcased U.S. government services for U.S. exporters and local importers.  She developed a strategic digital marketing plan for 15 commercial offices throughout Asia.  Other Commercial Service offices around the world are adopting similar integrated marketing strategies! 

 

Wanda Barquin has spent her career analyzing ways to support public- and private-sector decision makers, helping them understand the contribution of industry sectors.  She oversaw the dissemination of useful information to wide-ranging stakeholders, including national administrations, private associations, public authorities, academic and research institutions, and international organizations.   

 

Wanda continues her public service as Non-Executive Director and Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, of Magnificat Partnerships, a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in the United States, France, Italy and Argentina.  In addition, she serves as public affairs advisor for the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.  

 

During her free time, Wanda relishes the opportunities to spend time with her dogs, catch up with her family in Buenos Aires, and enjoy Italian opera.  She is an active blogger and member of NGOs advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable in the society, namely children, women, and domesticated animals.