Q&A with a current student Maria Esperanza F. Alconcel, Trade Consultant

What does it take to be a successful trade negotiator? How do companies adapt to the new reality of local protectionist movements, digitalization, and covid-19, among other disruptions? Join our Q&A session on December 16th and learn from Maria Esperanza F. Alconcel, trade consultant and current student of IE’s Executive Master in International Trade.

Maria Esperanza (“Maes”) F. Alconcel is an international trade expert, with over fifteen years of experience assisting governments, international organizations and companies on how to successfully venture into Asia-Pacific markets. Maes began her career as an international trade negotiator for the Philippines, focusing in the areas of tariff liberalization and trade facilitation within the ASEAN economic integration process. In 2015, she moved to the private sector and directly advised companies on how to strategically grow in overseas markets.

In 2016, she became the head of the FTAs and International Relations of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), where she developed Singapore’s FTA education and outreach program, as well as advocated Singapore-based companies' interests and needs on cross-border trade and investments.

Maes has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of the Philippines, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. She continues to upskill by pursuing an Executive Master in International Trade at IE University.