Company: FD Global Connections, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Company Description: FD Global Connections is Australia's boutique scaleup specialist supporting companies to expand into the USA. Founded in 2014 by our CEO, Trena Blair, our personalised, responsive approach and ability to create unique strategies and programs, means our services are highly sought from Australian Federal Government, and ASX Listed companies through to Small Business.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services –10 or Less Employees
 Nomination Title: Trena Blair, CEO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
Hello, my name is Trena Blair CEO, FD Global Connections, based in Sydney, Australia. Since establishing my company in 2014, I have had the privilege of supporting Australian companies to prepare for and expand successfully into the USA. As a team of one, my client base is small but the outcomes are powerful.
I have been encouraged by clients and colleagues to apply for a Stevie Award over many years (and also write a book which is set to be published in October!). I have to say, the greatest joy has been to reflect on the achievements of my clients as we have journeyed together in their quest to expand into the USA. And, I know all of my clients are cheering for my success as I finally submit my application for this Stevie Award!
Thank you for your consideration of my application.
Wishing YOU success, however you define it.
Trena
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 199 words used.
Trena is an accomplished global businesswoman, with 15+ year international executive career who effortlessly transverses corporate and entrepreneurial communities. Having grown up on dairy farm and lived and worked in Australia and the U.S., Trena’s down-to-earth manner allows people to genuinely connect with her and trust her.
In 2014, Trena founded FD Global Connections to deliver unique programs for Australian organizations to access the U.S. market. With Trena’s exceptional network, she has partnered with Australian and U.S. government agencies, Small Businesses to ASX listed companies.
Trena has always advocated for women creating SheScalesGlobal, a networking group for Australian businesswomen, and the NYC Immersion Women’s Program, the first facilitated program for Australian business leaders.
Trena is a thought leader in her field, creating new services that reflect the challenging times for her clients. Trena partnered with Mastercard to create “Effective Governance for FinTech” Programs, combining her company director and knowledge of financial services. Trena created the “Global Scalability Audit’ to positively improve the 30% success rate of companies expanding globally.
Trena’s collaborative nature contributes to the success she brings to her clients. Her openness, curiosity, creativity and corporate governance knowledge is the gift that keeps on giving.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 229 words used.
- Boosting Female Founder Initiative (2020-2023):
- Trena was appointed mentor for the Australian government’s initiative and to date has mentored eight female founders.
- Mastercard “Effective Governance for FinTech” Program (2023)
- At the end of 2020, Trena finalised the governance program she designed and led. The 50 female entrepreneurs received scholarships to participate.
- Nasdaq Entrepreneur Centre USA (commenced 2021):
- Trena’s unique skills as an international market expansion expert were recognised by her appointment as a mentor for global entrepreneurs.
- SomnoMed’s Next Engagement: Multimillion-Dollar Expansion Into The Central America:
- An existing client, SomnoMed re-engaged Trena to develop a comprehensive research project from December 2022 for this ASX-listed MedTech company to identify a specific location to establish Central America-based mill manufacturing site.
- PeopleBench supporting K-12 Teaches with Resilience
- An Australian success story, they were receiving significant interest in their K-12 teacher resilience tracker and strategy builder from the USA. Trena was appointed North America Project Director to lead the development and implementation of their USA market entry.
- Strucket’s Strategic Approach To Their U.S. Launch to Reduce Landfill of Diapers:
- An Australian success story, they were achieving a steady increase of sales from U.S. consumers via their website despite not having launched in the U.S. With supply chain challenges, the team required support and in 2022, FD Global undertook a comprehensive industry and market research study to develop their launch strategy.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 238 words used.
Trena is gifted in creating new and novel programs, identifying gaps and putting a creative lens on projects. She also has a uniquely strong and deep USA network created through genuine connections which she treats with reverence. These assets combine to give Trena a unique value proposition over competitors.
- Boosting Female Founder Initiative: Trena was appointed a mentor for the Australian government’s initiative and has since mentored twelve female founders. The three-year contract is ongoing until end of 2023.
- Mastercard “Effective Governance for FinTech’ program: As a qualified Company Director, Trena was appointed to design, develop and facilitate a new governance program to shed light on avoiding the pitfalls and understanding fiduciary responsibilities for Fintech’s.
- Nasdaq Entrepreneur Centre USA: Trena is one of three Australian’s appointed as mentor and which recognised Trena’s expertise in global expansion.
- SomnoMed (re-engaged): Trena’s unique network in Central America led to strong engagement and commitment from local government and business stakeholders in Mexico, Costa Rica and Guatemala.
- PeopleBench: Appointed Trena as their North America Project Director (from Sydney) to lead the development and implementation of their USA market entry to support K-12 teachers with resilience and wellbeing programs. They have since successfully set up headquarters in the U.S.
- Strucket: Trena uncovered a unique opportunity for a licensing partner via her network. This global company can provide significant market reach, and financial support, an opportunity Strucket would never have had access to otherwise.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 42 words used.
Please find attached the following supporting materials:
- Website: https://www.fdglobal.com.au/
- LinkedIn (Personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/trenablair/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fdglobalconnections/?viewAsMember=true
- Supporting document for this award.
Thank you for your consideration of my application.
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