Description: The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center at Bradley University is cohosting a reception with Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago, with the Peoria Area World Affairs Council (PAWAC). Mexico is one of the United States’ and Illinois’ most important trading partners, supporting millions of jobs and driving economic growth. Under the USMCA, cross-border trade in manufacturing, agriculture, and services continues to expand, strengthening North American competitiveness. With deep and broad experience navigating the relations between the United States and Mexico, Ambassador Torres will offer her insights during a public reception at 4:30pm - 6:30 pm. "Mexico and the United States: The Value of a Strong Neighborhood" at Distillery Labs - 201 SW Adams Street, Peoria, IL 61602. Topics: * The economic impact of U.S.–Mexico trade, including job creation and regional growth in Illinois *Key opportunities and challenges under the USMCA across manufacturing, agriculture, and services *The role of diplomatic relations in strengthening North American competitiveness *Insights on fostering cross-border partnerships and building a “strong neighborhood” between the U.S. and Mexico Speaker: Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil took office as Consul General of Mexico in Chicago on July 14th, 2019. During her diplomatic career she has held various positions in the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including General Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Deputy General Director for International Policy on Human Rights, and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. She was posted as Deputy Chief of Mission in the Mexican Embassy in the Czech Republic and as political liaison in the Embassy of Mexico in the United States. Before assuming her current position, Ambassador Torres Mendivil served as Consul General in San Antonio, Texas, and before as General Director for Protection of Mexicans Abroad. Ambassador Torres Mendivil was a resident Fellow at Harvard University's Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and participated in the Hemispheric Security Program at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington DC. She graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and holds a Masters degree in International Relations from the London School of Economics.