Since 2004, Grow Trade Consulting, Inc. has provided customized export assistance services to U.S., European, and economic development organizations (EDOs) from other countries. We support their small-to medium-sized enterprise (SME) clients with market entry and regulatory strategies and identify and qualify business opportunities and partners across the Canadian market. Our experienced staff, national network of contacts, and broad industry expertise help us strategically guide companies to realize export success in Canada.
Over the last 20 years, Grow Trade has worked with more than 15 public and private EDOs from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and abroad at the state/provincial and national levels. Since the early days of social media, Grow Trade has leveraged Twitter (now X) and LinkedIn to promote our partner EDOs, companies, and events to a broad industry range of Canadian followers. We also use our social media presence, weekly blogs, and monthly newsletters to update clients about market opportunities that may impact regulatory changes. Our team regularly visits trade shows across Canada to build and maintain contact networks and to stay informed on traditional and emerging industry sectors.
Grow Trade is a member of numerous trade organizations across Canada, including the American Chamber of Commerce – Toronto Chapter, the Organization of Women in International Trade, Life Sciences Ontario, and the Canadian Health Food Association, among others. Grow Trade’s team members are highly experienced and have long-established careers in trade and investment, as well as government and private sector experience that spans multiple industries.
Nancy Ward established Grow Trade Consulting Inc. in 2004 after a successful six-year career with the Canadian Trade Office of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers (formerly the Council of Great Lakes Governors). Since 1998, she has helped thousands of U.S. and international SMEs understand the nuances of the Canadian market, connect with Canadian partners, and identify business opportunities in various industry sectors. She has also coordinated numerous inbound trade missions, both horizontal and industry sector-specific, across Canada. Nancy’s role has also focused on business development and foreign direct investment in the U.S. and abroad. She has successfully executed business development and attraction strategies for two U.S. states and one European jurisdiction. She has assisted Canadian companies seeking guidance on market entry, sales growth, and business operation set-up in the United States and Europe. Previously, Nancy held positions in healthcare, retail sales, adult education, and sales and marketing (the latter while working with the Canadian subsidiary of a U.S. automotive parts manufacturer).
Nancy is a past president of the International Trade Club of Toronto and was Vice President of Communications for the Organization of Women in International Trade – Toronto for three years. Nancy received the Joanna Townsend Award for an Export Champion, recognizing an outstanding woman in Ontario who created opportunities to support Canadian women entrepreneurs actively and helped them succeed in international business. Nancy holds an Honours Degree in Political Science and a postgraduate designation in International Business. Nancy is currently pursuing studies in sustainable urban agriculture and food security.
