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Globinar Global Chamber® Chicago Women Who Move Markets
- Tuesday, March 31st at 12pm CT / 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm London / 10:30pm Mumbai
Global commerce is evolving rapidly as supply chains shift, markets expand, and regulatory environments grow more complex, making strong leadership and global perspective increasingly important. The Women’s Global Business Leadership Forum: Women Who Move Markets brings together professionals involved in international trade, finance, law, logistics, and global business development to share insights, build strategic connections, and discuss key issues affecting companies operating across borders.
Through dialogue and networking, participants will explore international market expansion, evolving trade policies, resilient supply chains, cross-border partnerships, and leadership perspectives from women actively shaping global commerce. The forum reflects Global Chamber’s mission to connect leaders worldwide and support the continued growth of international business.
Melinda Knight – R&D Associate Director – Global Colorants at Sherwin-Williams
Melinda Knight is an experienced research and development leader in the coatings and chemicals industry, currently serving as Associate Director of R&D for Global Colorants at Sherwin-Williams in South Holland, Illinois. In this role, she leads technical teams focused on chemical formulation, pigment technology, and product commercialization for global colorant systems used across multiple coating applications.
With more than 15 years of experience in coatings research, product development, and quality management, Melinda has built a career bridging chemistry, manufacturing, and commercial product development. Prior to her current role, she served as R&D Technical Lab Manager for Industrial Colorants and Senior Group Leader for Architectural Coatings, overseeing formulation development, product testing, and innovation initiatives.
Before joining Sherwin-Williams, Melinda spent over a decade with Valspar, where she worked as Senior R&D Chemist and Architectural Coatings Group Lead, and earlier as Quality Control Manager, focusing on statistical process control, manufacturing quality systems, and product performance.
Melinda holds an MBA in Information Systems from Roosevelt University and a Master’s degree in Materials Chemistry from the Illinois Institute of Technology, with specialized research in pigment technologies. Her work sits at the intersection of materials science, manufacturing innovation, and global supply chains, supporting the development of coatings products used worldwide.
Mona L Cherkaoui – Executive Director at The Global Chamber Orlando
Mona Loubna Cherkaoui is Executive Director of the Global Chamber Central Florida chapter and a global business strategist with more than two decades of experience in international sales, market expansion, and cross-cultural leadership.
She holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Central Florida, with a concentration in Geopolitical analysis with a concentration in MENA and Russia. Born in Morocco and now based in Florida, Mona has built her career at the intersection of global sales, cultural intelligence, and business development.
As Managing Broker of an Orlando real estate boutique, she specializes in working with foreign investors and corporate portfolios. She also advises professionals and organizations on cross-cultural communication, negotiation strategy, and building globally competent teams.
Mona is also the Founder and Chairwoman of Global Women of Impact, a nonprofit organization focused on elevating women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and global readiness. Her work centers on helping professionals speak with confidence, sell across cultures, and lead with strategic clarity in international markets.
She is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a licensed partner of The Lewis Model of Cross-Culture, a certified coach, and a multilingual professional who has represented clients from over 130 nationalities. Throughout her career, she has received multiple leadership and top-producer recognitions for performance and impact.
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Demitrus T. Evans, J.D., LL.M. is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Evans International Law Firms, LLC (“TEIL Firms”)
Attorney Demitrus T. Evans, J.D., LL.M. is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Evans International Law Firms, LLC (“TEIL Firms”), as a Chicago-area cross-border trade strategist, she advises companies and entrepreneurs on global expansion, regulatory compliance, contracts, and protection of intellectual property in international markets.
Attorney Evans is active in the global business and legal community, serving as Chair of the Advisory Board for Global Chamber Chicago, Secretary of the African Global Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Illinois District Export Council. She frequently speaks on international trade, global market access, and legal strategies for businesses operating across borders.
In addition to her legal work, she supports initiatives focused on economic development, sustainability, and global collaboration.