Michelle Stokes Eastern Region, Canada

As the Director of Consulting for the Eastern Region, Michelle leads a team of Consultants that help importers and exporters minimize their exposure to customs risks, while simplifying how to benefit from a myriad of trade complexities.

Michelle’s over 25 years of experience in the trade industry has rendered her a subject matter expert in the Canadian customs regulatory framework that impacts importers, carriers, exporters and other trade chain partners. She has led and implemented business strategies with free trade agreements, valuation, import tariffs, trusted trader programs, cross border security initiatives, eManifest and eCommerce.

Prior to joining Livingston, Michelle founded BOTG Global Trade Services, located in Canada and the Netherlands. Her global expertise includes multi country projects with a focus on customs compliance, improved flow of goods across international borders and predictability and stability in new markets.  She also spent over 15 years at UPS in various capacities including Director of Customs Affairs and Regulatory Compliance.

Michelle has held a position with the Board of Directors and Executive of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB) for five years and has continued to be engaged in committee and advocacy work with the CSCB and Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters (IE Canada).

Globally, Michelle was on the Executive Committee of the Defence Attaché Association in the Hague, Netherlands and participated in the 30th year review of the Tariff Nomenclature at the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels, Belgium. Michelle is currently part of the CBSA CARM Stakeholder Engagement and has led a small aerospace group with CBSA on the future state of CSA CARM. Michelle has attained the Customs Certified Specialist (CCS) and Customs Specialist (CTCS) with the CSCB. On the U.S side of the border, Michelle has attained her U.S. Customs Certified Specialist (CCS) with the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, (NCBFAA). Michelle has her professional designation with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and holds a Law & Security diploma with Loyalist College and credits in Business Management from Athabasca University.

Michelle and her team at Livingston offer strong leadership and project management skills to support traders identify duty optimization opportunities that can be used to reinvest in compliant customs processes. Known for her keen ability to identify gaps with cross border valuation, incorrect use of trade agreements, or gaps within trade processes, Michelle has created tailor made solutions that optimize customs programs. Michelle and her teams experience working directly with various governmental agencies ensures that all regulatory requirements are met with the right resolution to avoid risk and penalties. She is passionate about trade, a team player and mentor to many people in the trade industry.