Read about our Speakers for 2024

Christopher Olson Dominic Sun John Cypher Željka Momirovic Kevin McAdam

Christopher Olson
Director, Trade and International Affairs
City of Houston, Texas

Christopher was appointed as the Director for Trade and International Affairs for the City of Houston in 2018.  In this role, Christopher leads Houston’s global engagement with foreign governments, global businesses, and international organizations, bringing economic opportunity to Houston and opening new business areas for Houston companies. 

Prior to his appointment, Christopher held positions as a diplomat, business consultant, and military officer. With the U.S. Department of State, Christopher had diplomatic postings in the Balkans, South and Central Asia, worked as a program manager in Washington, D.C. supervising programs in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, and advised U.S. and international business executives on a range of economic, trade, and political issues.

As a business consultant in the private sector, Christopher advised companies on corporate market strategy, organizational structure, and business processes. During his military service, Christopher was a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer leading large, diverse, cross functional teams. Christopher has supported special warfare operations, worked as a staff officer for the Chief of Naval Operations in the Pentagon, and led anti-terrorism and continuity of operations programs.

Christopher is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in history and political science and holds a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Prior to joining the City of Houston, Christopher obtained an MBA from Rice University Business School with a focus on strategy and innovation where he was recognized as a Jones Scholar for academic and leadership excellence.

Christopher is the executive director for the World Energy City Partnership network of global cities leading the energy transition and creating new ESG initiatives, is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honors society, was recognized as a Global Leader of Influence by the World Affairs Council, and is active in entrepreneurship and veterans affairs.

Dominic Sun
Director of Trade Development
Port Houston

Dominic Sun was named Director of Trade Development in January 2019. He has 29+ years of professional experience with ocean carriers, domestic and international freight forwarders, and global 3PLs in the US. His most recent position prior to joining the port was as Director of Strategic Accounts with CMA CGM, the world’s third largest ocean carriers, where he had a 11-year tenure and held expanding roles in the US West and Gulf Coasts.

Sun earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance with concentration in Real Estate from University of Southern California.

John Cypher
Vice President, International Investment and Trade
Greater Houston Partnership

John Cypher holds the position of Vice President, International Investment and Trade at The Greater Houston Partnership. In his capacity as Vice President, he leads a team of internationally focused professionals to execute the Partnership’s efforts to advance Houston’s position as a great global city, specifically working to increase exports, encourage trade development and attract foreign direct investment to the Houston region. John previously served as Senior Director of the Americas and has been with the Partnership since 2016.

Prior to his time at the Partnership, John served as a trade commissioner for ProMexico, supporting the direct investment of U.S. firms into Mexico along with Mexican exports in the states. Preceding his time with ProMexico, John held leadership roles for a variety of firms including Bullie Products, The Gotland Group and GCA Group.


Željka Momirovic
Assistant Director of Aviation – Director of Air Service Development
Houston Airport System

Željka Momirovic joined Houston Airport System (HAS) in 2005 and throughout her career at HAS, she held various roles in Community Affairs, Customer Relations, Government Affairs and International Relations and Facilitation. In her current role, she leads Air Service Development (ASD) team for Houston Airport System and its three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD) and is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key airlines and establishing new air service and retention and expansion of existing air service network in Houston.

In her previous roles, Željka served as HAS’ liaison with the Department of Homeland Security and international organizations as a subject matter expert on issues related to development and facilitation of international air travel including the improvement of government and industry approaches with focus on travel documentation, international cargo and passenger inspections, technology, customer service and the interrelationship between facilitation and security vital to air service development.

During her tenure within the Air Service Development team, and because of the ASD team’s ongoing efforts, Houston was one of only two cities in the United States that offered nonstop service to all six inhabited continents in 2019.

Željka also served as HAS’ first Chief Protocol Officer overseeing all diplomatic and protocol matters and as a primary liaison with diplomatic offices, international communities, and relevant agencies. Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of Airports Council International – North America’s (ACI-NA) U.S. International Air Service Program which focuses on development of international air services to U.S. communities and provides essential access to the negotiating table that allows for U.S. airports to promote and protect their interests with U.S. and foreign decision makers. Željka also served as ACI-NA Vice Chair of Facilitation Committee in 2017 and was nominated as Chair in 2018.

In 2016, Željka initiated and created HAS’ first Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness training program that since partnered with various industry, community and airport agencies and stakeholders. The program trains all airport badged employees to be able to identify risks and signs of human trafficking through effective public awareness and outreach efforts that can lead to the detection of human trafficking cases, build public support for governments and communities to act, and ultimately help prevent human trafficking. Human trafficking awareness training provides an important foundation for individuals, first responders, law enforcement, service providers, educators, businesses, and others to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and learn how to appropriately respond.

In 2013, Željka was recognized by Transportation Security Administration for her partnership and support of the agency’s work and mission at IAH and in 2014, she was recognized by Airport Business as Aviation’s Best and Brightest 40 under 40.

Kevin McAdam, Ph.D.
Director of Community Engagement and Associate Professor of Business Management
University of Houston-Victoria at Katy

Kaveh (Kevin) M. McAdam is an Associate Professor of Business Management at University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) at Katy. He also serves as the UHV College of Business Director of Community Engagement in the Katy and West Houston areas. His expertise is in the areas of “small business development”, “international entrepreneurship”, and “start-ups by immigrants”. He has published his research in several respected academic journals such as “Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal” and “International Business Review”. He is currently serving on the “Journal of International Management” editorial board. He has received several awards and recognitions for his teaching, research, and service activities.

Prior to joining academia, Dr. McAdam co-founded a machine tool supply distribution business and served as the chairman of the board for five years. In addition, he served as a management consultant for several public and private firms. Currently, he is serving on the board of directors and advisory council of several organizations. Serving as a mentor for young entrepreneurs, he is collaborating with business startup programs and venture capitals in Greater Houston.