How Alibaba.com Supports U.S. Companies to Grow Globally

Sydney Hand is the Head of Policy Communications for the International Government Affairs team at Alibaba Group, one of the largest e- commerce companies in the world. The company provides the fundamental technology infrastructure and marketing reach to help businesses leverage the power of the Internet to establish an online presence, conduct commerce and engage with hundreds of millions of consumers and other businesses from around the world. As a member of the International Government Affairs organization at Alibaba, Sydney represents the enterprise before executive offices, legislatures, and regulatory agencies on priority matters before governments in the U.S and Canada.

Prior to joining Alibaba Group, Sydney served as a member of the State and Local Government Affairs Department at GE. In that capacity, Sydney developed proactive government outreach initiatives as well as analyzed emerging legislative and regulatory actions with respect to potential impacts on the company’s portfolio of businesses. She also helped to organize the company’s lobbying efforts at the state and local and federal levels. Prior to GE, Sydney worked on the legislative staff of US Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX). She is a graduate from the University of Georgia and currently resides in Raleigh, N.C.

Mattia Miglio serves as the Director of Business Development for North America at Alibaba.com, where he leverages his extensive experience in EU Strategic Alliances to drive Alibaba.com’s expansion and collaboration efforts in the U.S. In this role, he spearheads initiatives to diversify the Alibaba.com ecosystem by strategically engaging with U.S.-based trade show organizers, associations, financial institutions, and chambers of commerce to enhance sourcing capabilities and market penetration.

Mattia holds a Master in International Relations and an Executive MBA from SDA Bocconi. His profound understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of international business is enhanced by his prior role as Global Marketing Leader at Cosmoprof, a premier B2B trade fair in the beauty sector. His expertise also extends to projects that integrate artificial intelligence with marketing strategies, driving innovation and efficiency.
With a focus on bridging the digital and physical dimensions of commerce, Mattia is a keen advocate for advanced omnichannel strategies.

Spending the better part of the 2010’s working abroad, Matthew has developed a unique understanding of global market, with experience bridging the gap between US and international business cultures in the tech sector to source and develop global partnerships that stand the test of time.

Prior to joining Alibaba.com’s partnerships team in 2020, Matthew worked in the games industry for several years where he made an impact on industry-leading business development teams specializing in cross-border publishing, licensing and investment partnerships. Matthew’s passion for networking and his ability to identify key revenue opportunities are integral when globalizing both Chinese and US businesses alike.

Diving head first into B2B eCommerce when joining Alibaba.com, Matthew has launched Alibaba.com’s first Channel Partners in the US, with the goal of building out Alibaba.com’s North America supplier base. Matthew’s understanding of the need for omnichannel strategies in the digital selling landscape has allowed him to pursue creative partnerships with marketing companies, government chambers, B2B trade-related event organizers, and promotion agencies.

A 2023 Alibaba.com Manifest Grant Recipient, Sherry Leetham, most notably known as Sherry Shamrock is the Founder of FIT 2 CHEER, creator of the CheerKamp® dance fitness platform and the patented inventor of weighted cheerleading pom poms! Her PoundPoms® are designed to Target, Tighten & Tone the Troubling 4T-Zone® Tummy, Tush, Thighs & Tri’s! A former collegiate cheerleading and 30 year fitness professional, upon recognizing that cheer motions are identical to weight training movements inspired her journey into entrepreneurship. Finding unorthodox ways to fund her business from TV game show winnings appearing on ABC’s $100,000 Pyramid, ABC’s Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, and You Bet Your Life w/Jay Leno, along with being a spokesperson for Netflix’s Black Leads help keep her business funded. But it was being a recipient of the Alibaba.com Manifest Grant along with being selected to be one of their Brand Ambassadors, that has opened many doors including the opportunity to be a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics campaign with Alibaba.com our first success story!

Peter Crabtree is the CEO and Visionary for Crabtree Brands in Poulsbo, WA.  Peter is proud to be
the 4 th  generation on his family farm in Kingston, WA where much of the Black Angus Beef for
Crabtree Kitchen + Bar is raised. Peter has led Crabtree Brands from an idea and a tent at a Farmers’ Market to a multi-entity food and beverage company that spans multiple cities, and more than a half dozen brands. These include chocolate manufacturing, restaurants, cafes, farming, meats, retail wine and spirits, wine and spirits distribution, and more. He is creative, passionate, and particularly adept at inspiring creative “out of the box” solutions. He thinks of his role at the company as “laying the train tracks” for the future, and moving the obstacles out of the way of where the tracks need to go.

Tiffany Mayes Eholor is a B.F.A. graduate from Emerson College in Boston, MA. She leverages her global outlookgained through her Western European & West African journeys. Managing program portfolios locally, nationally, and globally has been her mission spanning the last two decades. As an archivist and writer,Tiffany focuses on sustainable communication for future generations, emphasizing education and small business resource development.

Relevant industry experience/accomplishments:
Published Writer
African Communications Advocate
National Programs Manager
Holistic Team Administrator

Phillip joined U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. with over 20 years of experience in Supply Chain Governance, Finance, Audit & Internal Controls in both the Energy and Aerospace & Defense industries. In addition, Phillip has passionately served the community for more than 5 years connecting Black-Owned Businesses and consumers across the United States through his work with the Black Business Focus Group and demonstrating his commitment to transforming impoverished communities through economic empowerment. Phillip is a member of the Houston Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and a member of the Greater Houston Black Chamber of Commerce.

Phillip currently serves as Program Manager with the United States Black Chambers, Inc where he is responsible for the coordination and administration of all aspects of ongoing programs, maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, and implementing strategies to better engage with Local Chamber partners and their member businesses. Phillip studied Accounting and Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University and earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and holds multiple professional certifications. Phillip and his lovely wife Shebia have four children.