Our Team
Laura Kraus, CEO and Founder - has over 20 years of experience in all aspects of trade compliance. She has held Empowered Official positions for companies such as General Dynamics Satcom
Technologies, Inc., DRS Technologies, Inc., etc. She has been responsible for the development and management of internal export/import controls to ensure compliance with U.S. Government
export/import regulations while interpreting, executing and recommending modification to companywide policies in support of corporate strategy.
Laura has processed over 500 licenses and technical assistance agreements (some requiring Congressional Notification) that directly enabled the expansion of business into Europe, Asia, and the
Middle East. She has developed license strategies, business processes and performance metrics. She has a strong, thorough understanding and working knowledge of the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC), the Wassenaar Arrangement, FMF/FMS and DCS.
She holds a BS in Business Administration from the Ibero-American University in Mexico City. She has obtained Masters Certifications in Government and Commercial
Contract Management from the George Washington University School of Business in Washington, DC, and is a Certified U.S. Export Controls Officer. Laura is a member of the U.S.
Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG).
Lisa Bencivenga, Senior Associate – has over twenty years of varied experience in export/import licensing and compliance issues with major defense contractors. She
has had the leading role in developing and implementing internal compliance programs, providing regulatory guidance, instituting license databases, training personnel at all corporate levels,
conducting audits requested by clients and/or directed by the U.S. Department of State, coordinating investigations and working closely with legal departments while administering the full
spectrum of corporate international export/import activities. She has several years of experience in space-related export issues which includes obtaining and implementing complex licensing
arrangements related to spacecraft and launch activities as a result of her employment with Orbital Sciences Corp. and The Boeing Company.Lisa was an officer and member of the Board of Directors
for two 2-year terms, including a term as Director of Planning and Education, of the Society for International Affairs. She has been a member of the since 2008. Lisa has been a Speaker for
Society for International Affairs, Export Compliance Solutions, and other various organizations.
Lisa holds a B.S. in Business Administration from National-Louis University.