Today at 12 noon at the Clinton School, Leocadia Zak will participate in a discussion on international trade and economic developement.

She is the director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, which helps U.S. businesses create jobs through the export of their goods and services for priority infrastructure projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. companies to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects, and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure, development, and economic growth in partner countries. For the sixth year in a row, USTDA’s export multiplier increased in FY 2014 — for every dollar the Agency programmed, an unprecedented $76 in U.S. exports were generated.

Zak will participate in a discussion on international trade and economic development, including President Obama’s trade policy agenda and trends in emerging markets, moderated by former Arkansas Economic Development Commission director Grant Tennille.

Leocadia I. Zak was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the United States Senate as the Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, which helps U.S. businesses create jobs through the export of their goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. companies to export opportunities by funding project planning activities, pilot projects and reverse trade missions while creating sustainable infrastructure and economic growth in partner countries. For the sixth year in a row, USTDA’s export multiplier increased in FY 2014 — for every dollar the Agency programmed, an unprecedented $76 in U.S. exports were generated. Further, the $5.8 billion in new exports identified last year brings USTDA’s total exports generated to over $51 billion.

Prior to joining USTDA, Ms. Zak was a partner in the Washington and Boston offices of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., practicing in the areas of corporate, municipal and international finance. Ms. Zak was also an Adjunct Professor of Law and has taught International Project Finance at the Boston University School of Law, Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law Studies and at the Georgetown University Law Center.

Ms. Zak received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.