Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Esmeralda Rodriguez moved to Winnipeg in 2019 and then joined the WTC Winnipeg as a Trade Advisor. Her role is to help Manitoba businesses reach their corporate goals through obtaining strategic data, locating business opportunities, and connecting businesses with potential Canadian and international partners; as well as provide advisory services on issues such as export planning, market entry strategies and financing options.

She finished her International Business post-graduate program at the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) and received her International Certification as a Trade Professional (CITP®, FIBP®). Before joining the WTC Winnipeg, Esmeralda worked for the United States Embassy in Colombia for ten years and was responsible for the transition of Immigrant Visa cases from Cuba and Venezuela to Guyana.

Esmeralda speaks Spanish, English and French.

Shane Knutson spent more than 24 years in international business marketing Canadian farm equipment around the globe. During this period, Shane spent 30% of his time traveling in the markets each year. He has visited more than seventy-five countries & sold equipment to more than one hundred countries on six continents. Shane’s resume includes Manager of International Sales for MacDon Industries Ltd. (1998 – 2007) which manufactures harvesting equipment & Vice President, International for Ag Growth International (2007 – 2021) which designs & manufacturers Global Food Infrastructure. Currently, Shane is the President of Polywest Ltd. (2022 – Present) which is a rotational molder & distributor of liquid handling products based in Winnipeg, Canada.

Shane grew up on the family farm in Manitoba and holds both a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (BBA) and a Master degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of North Dakota.