Trade Center of the Americas
Minority-Owned Public Benefit Corporation
About Us
The Trade Center of the Americas (TCA) is a minority-owned, public-benefit corporation, building an international trade community based on transparency. We are a platform for business and investment opportunities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Our four-pillar business model is designed to build an trade ecosystem through memberships; bilingual-cross-cultural business consulting; business referral matching services and through public-private-partnerships.
As a minority owned company, we know how it is to be a part of the "few" in the corporate world. The TCA recognizes this condition as a strength to fuel our mission of bringing small and medium sized companies into the market of international trade.
Our focus is the American continent. We are passionate about creating opportunities to thrive, particularly minority and women owned companies, small and medium sized organizations working in Canada, the US, Central America, and South America.
Trade Center of the Americas
Our Mission and Vision
To foster economic growth across the Americas (North, Central and South) by providing trade and business opportunities based on social impact, corporate responsibility and sustainable practices.
We are committed to providing trade and business opportunities to women, communities of color, indigenous people, startups and small and medium-sized companies.
Our vision is to bridge the economic gaps in the Americas, through fostering international trade and investment through sustainable development practices.
TCA Sustainable Development Goals
The Trade Center of the Americas (TCA) is based on five principles of sustainability and social responsibility. These principles have been established by the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
Under these principles, new business and trade models should be focused on an equitable and inclusive economic growth for the InterAmerican region.
Meet The Team
Silvia Ontaneda
Founder and CEO
As an entrepreneur, former diplomat, as well as an international trade and foreign policy consultant, Silvia is utilizing her vast experience to bridge the cultural and geographical gaps between regions.
During her tenure as a diplomat, Silvia founded the South American Trade Forum. In addition, she has fostered and help establish other international initiatives, including the Minnesota-Ecuadorian as well as the Minnesota-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. During her tenure as President and Vice-president of the Minnesota Consular Corps, she increased the participation of other Latin American Honorary Consulates in the Midwest. Silvia is the founder of two unique services that provided free health and legal assistance to vulnerable immigrants in Minnesota (Probono Legal Clinic and the Clinica Vida y Salud). These centers were established within the premises of the Ecuadorian Consular post. They were the only ones of its kind ever created, in partnership with local private organizations and the Foreign Service, at no cost to the government or to the constituents.
Silvia and her family are residents of Minnesota. She is proud alumni of the University of Minnesota Law School, the FBI Citizens Academy, the University of Loja Law School, the Catholic University of Ecuador, and a passionate advocate for immigrants’ human rights. She serves on the board of several organizations, including the Legal Rights Center, the Center for Women in Leadership and Diplomacy and she is the founder and chair of the FBI Citizens Academy Opioid Crisis Task Force.
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Rafaela Creamer
Director of Operations
Sonia Miller-Van Oort
President at Sapientia Law Group
Towle Neu
Partner at Sapientia Law Group
Outside Counsel for US Matters
Our Associates
Deyanira Juliet Murga
Trade and International Security Advisor
Aidan Lynn-Klimenko
Artist and Photographer for Business Storytelling
Richard Weiner
Chair, International Law Practice Group at Fredrikson & Byron P.A
Terri Barreiro
Principal, Cogent Consulting PBC
Senior Volunteer, Impact Hub MSP
Executive in Residence U of MN Carlson School of Business
Mark Richie
President of Global Minnesota and CEO of MN US Expo 2027
Our International Advisory Board
Jeff Ashe
Research Fellow at the Global Development and Economic Institute (GDAE) at Tufts University
Bill Blazar
Former Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Business Development
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Trade Center of the Americas
Our Personal Approach
We bridge the geographical and cultural gap through the use of technology, creating a customized profile for each member that can include business information, photos, and videos. We let our members tell their stories, including the history, their mission and values, and their plans for growth. By amplifying our members' voices, we allow them to connect with their customers on a deeper level and build lasting relationships.
Reflecting on the [Millennium Development Goals] and looking ahead to the next 15 years, there is no question that we can deliver on our shared responsibility to put an end to poverty, leave no one behind, and create a world of dignity for all.
( UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon)