USCIB Welcomes New Staff in Communications, Legal Affairs, Finance & Administration  

USCIB welcomed several new staff members across the New York and Washington DC offices over the past two weeks. 

Most recently, USCIB welcomed Anna Hughes as Vice President of Communications. Hughes has over twenty years’ experience in communications, marketing and public relations having held various positions at Twitter, BSA | The Software Alliance, American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Ogilvy. Hughes will be based in the Washington office. 

Earlier this week, USCIB also welcomed Jason File as USCIB’s new Director of Legal Affairs, based in New York. Along with his Arbitration Committee responsibilities, File will also serve as General Counsel for USCIB. Prior to joining USCIB, File was a senior associate in the Arbitration group at Cooley LLP, focusing on high-stakes arbitration, including investor-state arbitration, international commercial arbitration, mass arbitration claims and corporate executive disputes. File’s previous positions include serving as a war crimes prosecutor at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague, and an international arbitration associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP in London.  

Finally, Andrew Julia joined as the new Director of Finance & Administration. Andrew brings over 15 years of experience in financial management, accounting, and administration in the non-profit sector. He joins us from the Baryshnikov Arts Center, Inc. where he was the Director of Finance & Human Resources. Prior to this, Andrew worked at the American Federation of Musicians & Employer’s Pension Fund where he held various accounting and audit roles. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist. Julia will work out of USCIB’s New York office.           

 

USCIB’s Clark Promoted to Senior Vice President

Alice Slayton Clark speaks at the OECD

USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy Alice Slayton Clark has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Trade, Investment and Digital Policy. Clark will be working closely with USCIB Senior Vice President for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy, as well as the rest of senior staff.

Clark joined USCIB in 2021 bringing her considerable experience in trade policy to USCIB’s policy team in Washington DC. Prior to joining USCIB, Clark worked for international law firms and consulting practices, as well as on Capitol Hill.

“Alice has shown herself to be both a DC-savvy policy expert and an excellent international advocate for U.S. business in international trade and investment deliberations during her time at USCIB.  I’m thrilled to share responsibility for leading USCIB’s policy work with her,” said Kennedy.

USCIB Member Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle (BCG) Approved as Vice Chair for Newly-Formed BIAC Investment Committee 

Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle

Business at OECD’s (BIAC) Executive Board formally approved the nomination of USCIB member Cristian Rodriguez-Chiffelle (Boston Consulting Group) for Vice-Chair of the BIAC Investment Committee on November 7. 

 

Rodriguez-Chiffelle serves as senior advisor for Boston Consulting Group’s (BCG) Global Advantage and Public Sector practices. He has consulted with governments, firms and international organizations across multiple regions. He has extensive expertise in fields such as sustainable FDI strategies for renewable energy, investment attraction and promotion and the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements. His extensive experience has primarily focused on Latin American trade, climate policy and investment. 

 

Rodriguez-Chiffelle’s previous experience participating in the investment-related operations of international organizations and the Chilean government will be of great value when conveying business priorities to governments and OECD representatives as part of his new position. 

 

The BIAC Investment Committee is a newly independent committee, having previously been part of the Investment and Responsible Business Conduct Committee. It is primarily focused on challenges that companies are facing with respect to the international investment climate and aims to highlight the importance of appropriate investor safeguards, market openness and a level-playing field in global trade and investment. 

USCIB Member Spotlight: EY on Multinationals Face Complex Data Challenges from Global Tax Deal

USCIB member EY America’s Kevin Flynn discusses how businesses can position themselves to comply with the BEPS 2.0 project. The full article can be viewed via a paid subscription to Bloomberg Tax.

EY was a sponsor at this week’s USCIB-OECD International Tax Conference

“Multinational enterprises are facing new and complex tax rules stemming from the OECD and G-20 countries’ BEPS 2.0 project—particularly the project’s Pillar Two 15% global minimum tax, which is set to apply to multinational groups with global revenue of more than €750 million ($829 million).

Enforcing these rules will require unprecedented global cooperation between tax authorities, and implementation approaches likely will vary among jurisdictions adopting the rules, making compliance a challenge and creating the risk of controversy. Multinationals also will need to manage a substantial increase in data collection and tracking required to comply with these rules.

Given the rules’ scope and complexity—and implementation as early as 2024 in many jurisdictions—multinationals need to evaluate and update their existing data strategies now.”

Read the rest of the post here.

USCIB Member Spotlight: EY’s Marna Ricker Writes About Implementing Pillar Two

USCIB member EY’s Marna Ricker authored a post on “Implementing Pillar Two Requires Resources, Flexibility,” in which she discusses the critical phase of the global minimum tax project.

She writes: “Like businesses, governments should be focusing on the practical aspects of applying and administering the new rules.

“The G20-led project on addressing the tax challenges of the digitalisation of the economy is entering a critical phase as jurisdictions work to enact Pillar Two global minimum taxes even while technical and administrative aspects of the new system are still being hammered out in the Inclusive Framework. There is much businesses need to do to be ready to comply with widespread implementation, and much preparation ahead for tax administrations as well. 

“Smooth implementation of Pillar Two is in the interest of both businesses and governments and is an urgent matter given that many countries are working to have global minimum tax rules in place by the end of the year. Businesses are trying to understand the new compliance obligations following the rules and working through the complex computations to determine where they may have top-up taxes due beginning in 2024. In addition, businesses are monitoring how the introduction of minimum tax rules may be accompanied by other changes in the design of corporate income taxes in the countries where they operate.”

To read the full post, please click here.

About the author: Marna Ricker, EY Global Vice Chair – Tax, is an EY veteran of more than 28 years and oversees all aspects of the EY Tax strategy, its offerings and client services for the EY Global Tax service line, which comprises more than 76,000 EY Tax, People Advisory Services (PAS) and Law professionals worldwide.

USCIB ICT Committee Announces Leadership Changes

USCIB has announced the appointment of Mastercard Fellow JoAnn Stonier as the new chair of the USCIB ICT Policy Committee, effective October 1. Current Committee chair Ellen Blackler (Disney) will be stepping down from the chairmanship on September 29. Blackler will remain a member of the ICT policy committee.

“We’d like to express our gratitude to Ellen for five outstanding years of leadership, during which she led the committee through many challenging issue areas,” said USCIB Vice President for ICT Policy Barbara Wanner. “Concurrently, we’re delighted that JoAnn will take on the important role of driving the committee’s ongoing work and strategy.”

According to Wanner, Stonier has been involved in the Committee’s work for many years and, through USCIB’s affiliation with Business at OECD (BIAC), has made impressive contributions to the OECD’s privacy and data governance work. She also participated in the recent Metaverse Roundtables in May and June 2023, which were organized by BIAC and The USCIB Foundation.

USCIB’s Staworzynska to Chair IOE Group on Human Rights & Responsible Business Conduct

The International Organization of Employers (IOE) has just approved the nomination of USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs, Ewa Staworzynska, as the new chair of the IOE Policy Working Group on Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC).

“IOE’s Policy Working Group on Human Rights and RBC offers IOE members and corporate partners a space to discuss national and international policy developments, share businesses’ contributions to human rights and RBC policy matters, and collectively engage at the global policy stage,” said Staworzynska.

As the representative of employers at the ILO, and as the representative of business on social and employment policy issues in other multilateral fora, the IOE provides a vital business perspective to the many activities and initiatives that seek to advance the Business and Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct agenda. IOE advocates on behalf of business for reasonable, realistic and workable solutions to the world’s myriad socio-economic challenges.

“Human rights and RBC is a priority for USCIB members,” added Staworzynska. “American companies’ are deeply committed to RBC and strongly value international policy engagements on these issues.”

Whitney Y. Baird Confirmed as New President and CEO to Lead USCIB, a Pro-Trade Group

Whitney Baird
Photo credit: U.S. Department of State

New York, N.Y., August 8, 2023 – The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) announced today the appointment of a new President and CEO. Whitney Baird, currently Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, will take over following the upcoming retirement of outgoing President and CEO Peter Robinson. Baird will begin in September.

Baird is a globally respected diplomat with an extensive career at the nexus of political, economic and societal issues. She joins USCIB from the Department of State, with previous assignments including Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Mission to the OECD and Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in London.

“We are delighted to welcome Whitney as USCIB’s President and CEO,” said USCIB Chair Eric Loeb (Salesforce). “Her experience working with multilateral institutions and countries around the world is an exceptional foundation for leading USCIB’s mission and members.”

Since 2005, Robinson has led the organization with great skill and dedication, through multiple global economic and political headwinds. He leaves USCIB with a strong legacy of membership growth, healthy finances, and an experienced team.

“On behalf of the Board, I am deeply grateful for Peter’s service, dedication and impact to USCIB,” added Loeb. “Peter has an unwavering commitment to USCIB’s mission, staff, members and our global affiliates. It has been a great privilege to work with him side-by-side over the years. We wish him the very best following his long and distinguished career.”

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). More at https://uscib.org/.

For inquiries, contact:
Kira Yevtukhova
Deputy Director, Marketing & Communications
kyevtukhova@uscib.org

USCIB Welcomes New and Reelected Trustees and Directors for 2023-2025 

Following membership elections in June, USCIB is pleased to welcome new members to the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term and to congratulate reelected members.

New Trustees include S.C. Johnson & Son Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson, Mastercard President and CEO Michael Miebach and LyondellBasell CEO Peter Vanacker.

Novozymes A/S President and CEO Ester Baiget, KPMG U.S. Chair and CEO Paul Knopp and Microsoft Corporation President and Vice Chair Brad Smith were reelected.  

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy, Mastercard Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy & Government Affairs Ravi Aurora and Ferrero Senior Vice President for Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications, North America Gerald “Chip” Kunde were elected to the Board of Directors.

Additionally, AT&T Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy Len Cali was re-elected to the Board of Directors.

USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson also expressed his appreciation to the Nominating Committee: USCIB Nominating Committee Chair and Sullivan & Cromwell Co-Chair Scott Miller, USCIB Chairman and Salesforce Executive Vice President for Government Affairs Eric Loeb and USCIB Vice Chair and Deloitte Principal Michele Parmelee.

USCIB Welcomes New Leadership at Business at OECD

USCIB extends its hearty congratulations to the newly appointed policy group leadership at Business at OECD (BIAC), including representatives from many USCIB member companies:

Sahra English from Citi will serve as vice chair of the Finance Committee at BIAC. At Citi, English is responsible for policy development and advocacy strategy on a broad range of international trade and investment issues, and has ample experience in strategic communications, public policy and global business administration.

The BIAC Finance Committee contributes private sector expertise and perspectives to OECD finance-related activities, including its work to support the G20, in order to develop a strong and sustainable global financial system.

Susan Wilson from Intel Corp. will serve as a vice chair of the BIAC Anti-Illicit Trade Expert Group (AITEG). At Intel, Wilson serves as director for Intellectual Property Policy. Wilson has extensive experience in intellectual property policy in both the public and private sectors, having had a 31-year career in public service.

Also appointed as a vice chair of the AITEG is Monica Ramirez from AB In-Bev. At AB In-Bev, Ramirez serves as global director for Corporate Affairs. Ramirez’s work in fighting illicit trade spans more than twelve years and she has played a key role in developing and promoting markets globally.

The AITEG, which is composed of BIAC and BIAC network participants, supports the evidence-based work of the OECD on countering illicit trade. Previously, this work was under the Task Force for Countering Illicit Trade (TF-CIT), which is transitioning to a Working Party of the OECD Trade Committee. The Group provides business leadership and market insights on OECD policy drafts in order to address illicit activities.

Finally, USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy Alice Slayton Clark will serve as vice chair of the BIAC Trade Committee. Clark brings with her extensive experience in trade policy, having worked in a number of international law firms and consulting practices, as well as on Capitol Hill.

“We are thrilled that BIAC acknowledges the value and expertise of our members and staff and has recognized their commitment to global policy making and multilateralism by appointing them in these leadership positions,” said USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson.

More information on Business at OECD (BIAC).