Management Consultant | Trade Compliance Professional | Certified Customs Specialist in Canada & United States (CCS) | End-to-end Supply Chain Management | Avid Reader

I work across three strategic tracks to support leaders and decision-makers who are ready to drive change across borders, sectors, and communities: 

𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆: With over 20 years of experience in international trade, customs compliance, and supply chain strategy, I specialize in guiding organizations through the complexities of cross-border operations. As a dual-certified customs professional in both Canada and the U.S., I offer rare expertise that bridges regulatory gaps and unlocks operational efficiency. 

𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: For service providers looking to expand their reach, I offer tailored strategies that foster trust, spark meaningful conversations, and convert relationships into long-term partnerships. I bring a deep understanding of stakeholder dynamics and the nuance required to build bridges that last.

𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Purpose-driven organizations deserve powerful storytelling. I help non-profits amplify their mission, engage their communities, and communicate with clarity and heart—so their message resonates and drives action.

Whether you're navigating complexities in global trade, growing a service-based business, or leading a non-profit with bold goals, I bring the insight, integrity, and strategic thinking to help you move forward.

Let’s connect if you’re ready to grow - with purpose and precision.  

Use the blue "schedule a meeting" link under profile picture. If you decide you'd like to engage my services, and retain me for 10 hours at least, the 11th hour will be free.

“Experience teaches you two things: what matters — and what can wait until Monday.”

Happy Friday! Logging out for the weekend. 

Madeline Island, WI- population: 200 - 400 in winter and 3000 in summer! 🤯

Benita  Lee, B.Mgt.

With over 20 years of experience in international trade, customs compliance, and supply chain management, I am a trusted advisor and partner for businesses that operate across borders. I hold dual certifications as a Customs Specialist in Canada and the United States, and a Bachelor of Management degree in International Business and Social Responsibility.

As a consultant to Advando Americas, I support the management team and act as the subject-matter expert on cross-border movements, and international trade development. 

As an independent trade consultant, I provide advocacy, strategy, and  liase with various stakeholders in the global trade community, including trade authorities, industry associations, and clients in the chemical, energy, and mining sectors. 

My mission is to help businesses move goods and people across borders efficiently, ethically, and compliantly, while building lasting relationships and partnerships.

Trade Advisor | Helping organizations grow—through compliance, connection, and communication | Proud Energy Ambassador and Member of the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce

𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙.

That’s the name of an independent bookstore in Cochrane, just outside the city - on the way to the mountains.

I love an independent bookstore. And this one invites you to slow down your pace — filled with 'Cochranisms', paintings, crafts, and candles by local artists.

I’d forgotten that 'Lonesome Dove' was a Pulitzer Prize winner — and that the same author wrote 'Brokeback Mountain'. Both made into film.

Both were filmed right here in the Rockies. 

New books. Used books. Every genre.
A full basement dedicated to non-fiction. Even the washroom walls told stories — covered in newspaper book reviews.

The owners were in the travel industry. When travel came to a halt during the pandemic, they pivoted — and opened up this gem. 

That’s what small business owners do. They read the room. They adapt quickly. And they rewrite the next chapter. 

Don't quit, just start. You'll figure things out as you go. As annoying as those people who say,, "just jump and build the parachute on the way down" - it's true. You'll figure it out. 

Want to meet for coffee in Q1? Find a local business or bookstore and invite me. I want to see them all. 😜

#SmallBusinessSaturdays 
#EntrepreneurialMindset

Found, Books & Shop, 208 1st Street, Cochrane, Alberta T4C 1B7

I've registered and it's in my calendar. Come learn with me! 

Don't miss Amy Morgan, Lila Landis, LCB CUSECO® CCEP-I CGSS and Phuong Nguyen in discussion on January 27th! 

International Trade & Customs is quickly evolving and overlap - 

▪️Data
▪️Security 
▪️Social Responsibility 

Is your business/company keeping up? 

Be in the know and register now: 

https://cvent.me/vY0L4y 

#TradeTalkTuesdays #Webinar 

ICPA, Inc - International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA)

Move in peace, my friends. 

A wise colleague once said to me, 

"Benita, just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should". 

#WellnessWednesday 

Share a piece of advice you wish someone had told you earlier in your career. 🧏🏻‍♀️

Comfort reveals preferences.
Challenge reveals character.

Dr. King reminds us that who we are is most visible when things are inconvenient, uncertain, or uncomfortable.

And let’s be honest—
▪️ Change is loud right now.
▪️ Decisions feel heavier.
▪️Silence can feel safer than taking a stand.

But mindset is the quiet choice we make before the moment demands it.

Do we default to convenience…
or do we anchor ourselves to values?

Do we react to chaos…
or respond with clarity?

A better future doesn’t start with perfect conditions.
It starts with people willing to stand
even when it’s unpopular,
even when it’s uncomfortable,
especially when it matters.

This week’s question:
What are you standing for when the room gets quiet?

#MondayMindset #MLKDay

All this talk on Carney in China this week - let's take a look at the big export picture. 

I think we can safely say that with the US hold on Venezuela, China will be looking at where to replace their shipment of heavy crude. 

Canada makes sense - stable environment, clean technology and a Chinese presence in the oil sands.

Canada's Prime Minister has struck a deal to lower Chinese levies on Canadian food products (Canola oil, lobsters, crabs, peas) in exchange for admitting Chinese EVs at the 6.1% MFN rate.

It’s a massive shift in North American trade policy, seemingly driven by US tariffs. But beyond the headlines, what does the actual trade data say about the health of this relationship?

We just deployed new data on OEC.world, and the numbers can reveal why both sides came to the table.

1. Why Canada Needed a Deal 🇨🇦 
The trade war took a tangible toll in 2025. Our latest figures show deep scars in key Canadian sectors:

🔻  Automotive Collapse: Exports of Chinese cars to Canada plummeted by $1.035 billion(-73.2% YoY) between Jan–Nov 2025.

🔻 Agricultural Contraction: Canadian agri-food exports fell 25% in H1 2025 due to retaliatory duties on canola, peas, and seafood, sectors that Carney’s new deal specifically aims to rescue.

🔻  Tech Decline: Consumer electronics took a hit, with telephone and comms equipment dropping 28%

2. The Chinese Industrial Pivot 🇨🇳 

Despite the tariff wars on EVs, China’s industrial engine didn't stop; it shifted. While cars stalled, other high-value sectors surged:

🟢  Computers: The top growth category, adding +$234.7M.

🟢  Infrastructure: Low-voltage protection equipment skyrocketed +85.6%, and insulated wire grew +42.6%.

🟢  Refined Petroleum: +193.8% surge (+$213M).

Political narratives are shifting fast, but trade data reveals the underlying economic context of many of these conversations. Canada’s energy surge and China’s industrial resilience created a mutual dependency that tariffs couldn't entirely sever.

👇 We’ve just deployed our latest datasets for countries like China, Canada & the U.S., bringing updated 2025 figures for key markets worldwide. Access the full update now at OEC.world

Proposed amendments to the Valuation for Duty (VFD) regulations? Read all about it.

Member of Parliament for York-Durham

As many in the trade will know, the CBSA is conducting a so-called “consultation” on the proposed amendments to the Valuation for Duty Regulations, changes that will reshape how duties are calculated for many importers.

The CBSA claims it's addressing industry concerns with “transparency and open dialogue with the importer community.” Yet, they're refusing to release the actual draft regulatory text publicly. Instead, stakeholders get only a curated summary. (I asked directly—and was declined.) Well, that's not entirely accurate, the CBSA did provide a copy to a select few organizations. Unclear why some got a copy while others did not.

But, one of the great benefits of being a Member of Parliament is many avenues for access to information, and I’ve secured the full draft. In the interest of real transparency, I'm happy to share it with anyone who wants it—just send me a DM.

Having reviewed the actual text of the draft regulations it’s clear that the CBSA’s summary does not tell the whole story and there are several points in the regulatory language that are not evident from the CBSA’s public summary.
What are your thoughts on these changes? Have you reviewed the summary, or the draft? Again, DM me for the full draft text, and always happy to discuss how this could impact your operations.

#CBSA #Customs #ValuationForDuty

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