Erica Henry-Jackman, the Manager of Investment Attraction and International Relations for the City of Brampton Economic Development Office, earned the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation in December 2025. This professional credential marks a significant milestone in a career spanning international relations, trade development, and economic development. She says the certification validates her extensive experience against internationally recognized standards.
Her journey into international affairs began in 1997. She was selected as a delegate to the Commonwealth Youth Programme, where she engaged with leaders on issues of youth empowerment and sustainable development. That same year, she contributed to the United Nations Awake Beyond Awareness campaign alongside former South African President Nelson Mandela. These experiences exposed her to the power of international collaboration and demonstrated how leadership and diplomacy can drive economic impact.
Shortly after, she joined the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. She first served as a youth ambassador and later as a trade intern. One of her earliest assignments involved supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s participation in a landmark World Trade Organization dispute against the United States regarding cross-border online gambling services. The experience provided firsthand exposure to trade law and the realities smaller economies face within the global trading system.
She later served as Vice-Consul and Director of Tourism for Antigua and Barbuda in Canada. The position reinforced a central lesson: successful economic partnerships are built on relationships and trust as much as on market access and policy. “Successful investment attraction and trade development are not just about numbers,” she noted. They require building consensus around common goals while considering diverse priorities.
In her current role in Brampton, she applies a lens of global diplomacy to local economic development. The shift from national representation to municipal strategy changes the context of her work. While national agencies negotiate broad policy frameworks, local officials must translate those high-level agreements into tangible opportunities for specific neighborhoods and businesses.
She pursued the CITP designation because it is internationally recognized as a benchmark of credibility. The achievement affirms her commitment to creating meaningful global connections.
The designation serves as a globally recognized benchmark of trust and professionalism, enhancing confidence when engaging with investors and governments.
Guidance for Emerging Trade Professionals
“Invest in relationships early. Listen carefully, adopt cultural awareness, and approach international partnerships with patience and empathy. These connections will become your most valuable currency in international trade and investment attraction,” she said.
