​CGLCC co-founders Bruce McDonald and Darrell Schuurman attended the 4th LGBT Summit of the Americas held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic March 2-4, 2016. The Summit corresponded with the launch of NGLCC Global’s newest affiliate, the Dominican Republic LGBT Chamber of Commerce (CCLGBTRD). The CGLCC is a member of the NGLCC Global Program, comprised of LGBT business organizations/chambers around the world.
 
The event provided an opportunity for Canada to meet with local LGBT businesses, corporate partners, and other global LGBT Chambers of Commerce, and discuss opportunities for continued collaboration and partnerships. Bruce participated on a panel of Global LGBT Chambers of Commerce, sharing with the delegates the experiences of the CGLCC, and offering support to the new Dominican Chamber as they continue to build.
 
While in the Dominican Republic, Darrell and Bruce met with Canadian Ambassador Steve Cote. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss trade opportunities between Canadian and Dominican LGBT owned businesses, and ways the Canadian Embassy could support LGBT efforts in the DR through economic opportunities.
 
CGLCC also entered into memorandums of understanding (MOU) with both the Dominican Republic LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Colombian LGBT Chamber of Commerce. These MOUs fosters cooperation and partnership between the organizations, their members, the local affiliate chambers and the LGBT business owners. This partnership opens up opportunities for LGBT businesses in both countries to work together on joint ventures, share best practices and promote international trade.

The CGLCC Board is pleased to welcome two new members to the CGLCC management team. Sue Biggs has joined us as Director, Operations and Partnerships and Richard Martin as Director of Global Programs.

With the direction of Board approved work plans and budgets, Sue is responsible for overseeing and managing efforts and activities of the CGLCC.  Sue holds an MBA, and is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience serving public and private sector organizations. She brings experience leading global, national and regional initiatives aimed at enhancing partnerships, increasing market share and improving service for large and small businesses in Canada. 

Sue's experience includes leading global manufacturing projects, managing retail and supplier technology initiatives, as well as implementing provincially-mandated supply chain changes in healthcare and post-secondary tuition changes in education.

Finding opportunities to connect people and work smarter, together, motivates Sue in her work, home and community life.  Sue's free time is spent with her family, and she also enjoys volunteering and occasionally teaching college-level business courses.

Richard has extensive experience in international and inter-governmental relations, having worked in this area for many years as a senior manager within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and Industry Canada.

He represented Canada at meetings hosted by major international organizations such as the OECD, the UNESCO, the Summit of the Americas, the OAS, the APEC and the G13 Carnegie Group on Science, Technology and Innovation. He organized many international ministerial-level delegations and events. In addition, he has a strong experience in Canadian federal-provincial relations, in particular in areas related to international education, adult learning, science and innovation.

He also contributed to the establishment and management of several grant programs designed to foster academic partnerships between Canadian scholars and institutions of higher education and their international counterparts (e.g., Canada-United States Fulbright Program).

Originally from the Montreal region, Richard is a graduate of the universities of Sherbrooke (B.A.) and Ottawa (M.A.). He is an alumnus of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. He speaks French, English and Spanish.