Claudia Kakunaka
About Claudia Kakunaka
Claudia Kakunaka serves as a Trade Commissioner for the Government of Canada, specializing in ICT, AI, IoT, Innovation, Fintech, and EdTech. With extensive experience in sales, marketing, and management across various companies, she has coordinated numerous initiatives to enhance business opportunities between Brazil and Canada.
Work at Government of Canada
Claudia Kakunaka has served as a Trade Commissioner at the Government of Canada since 2013. In this role, she focuses on sectors including ICT, AI, IoT, Innovation, Fintech, and EdTech. Based in the São Paulo Area, Brazil, she coordinates activities, events, and commercial missions to foster business opportunities between Canada and Brazil. Her responsibilities include developing annual strategic planning for the ICT sector, emphasizing emerging technologies such as Fintech, Digital Media, Blockchain, Virtual Reality, Digital Marketing, and EdTech.
Education and Expertise
Claudia Kakunaka has an extensive educational background. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Escola Politécnica da USP, completed from 1991 to 1996. She achieved a Post Graduation in Marketing and Finance from FGV - Fundação Getulio Vargas between 2000 and 2002. Additionally, she obtained a Post Graduation in Business Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship from FIA Business School in 2020. Claudia also earned a Master's degree in Engineering and Innovation from Universidade Federal do ABC in 2021. Furthermore, she has a Technical qualification in Telecommunications from Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de São Paulo - IFSP, completed from 1987 to 1990.
Professional Background
Claudia Kakunaka has held various positions in the technology and consulting sectors. She worked at Hughes Network Systems in multiple roles, including Sales Executive, Marketing Engineer, and Sales Manager from 1997 to 2008. Following her time at Hughes, she served as Managing Director at Katu Comercial from 2008 to 2010 and at CREDITS from 2010 to 2013. Prior to her roles in the private sector, she worked as a Consultant at KPMG for seven months in 1996-1997. Her diverse experience spans sales, marketing, and management, contributing to her expertise in trade and business development.
Achievements and Contributions
Claudia Kakunaka has made significant contributions to promoting Canadian commercial interests in Brazil. She has participated as a speaker at various conferences and events, enhancing visibility for Canadian businesses. Her work includes coordinating commercial missions and developing strategic initiatives that align with the interests of the ICT sector. Claudia's strong background in research, analysis, and competitive intelligence-gathering supports her efforts in business development activities, furthering the Canadian brand in Brazil through targeted initiatives.