President
Global Reach Enterprises was established in 1996 by Margaret Vokes, who currently serves as President. The company provides international marketing and management consulting expertise by bringing the right people to the project, according to the particular needs of clients.  (See profiles of our project partners, below.)

Margaret has over twenty years of experience helping Canadian companies, non-profit organisations and public sector entities to make sound business decisions based on detailed research and analysis, thereby enabling them to succeed in international and domestic markets or to achieve their mandates effectively.

Prior to starting her own company, Margaret served for fifteen years with the Government of Ontario in international business development and trade, with a focus on Asia. During this period, Margaret acted as a "commercial scout" on behalf of Ontario-based companies, identifying and qualifying specific business opportunities in Asian countries, organizing and leading trade and technology missions, identifying and establishing strategic partnerships, providing business advice and assistance, matching buyers and decision-makers to sellers, and playing a variety of roles leading to the sales of capital equipment, products and professional services. The value of projects ranged from multi-million dollar infrastructure developments to technical collaborations and sales of products, capital equipment and professional services.

Margaret has international marketing experience in Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Cambodia and Lao PDR.  Europe:  Denmark, England, Italy, The Netherlands.  Americas:  United States, Mexico, Brazil and Ecuador. Middle East:  Jordan, UAE

As a Senior Consultant with the China Section of the Ontario Government, Margaret organised and led trade and technology missions to China during the mid-1980s.  As a Trade Policy Analyst with the Government of Ontario, Margaret represented the Province as part of a Canadian delegation to the GATT (now WTO) for special Panel hearings in Geneva on a precedent-setting gold coins issue, among other things. She also served as Senior Research Officer with the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and on the Public Accounts Committee.

Margaret has a Master of Arts in Political Science from York University, and is a graduate of the University of Windsor (Honours B.A., Political Science), the Canadian Securities Course and the Executive International Management Course, University of Western Ontario.

An active member or Chair of various Boards and Committees, Margaret has also taught international business students in postgraduate programs at York University and Sheridan College. Her current personal interests involve painting, travelling, travel writing, contributing business-related articles to magazines and newspapers, and mentoring youth in international business as well as newcomers to Canada to help them integrate more successfully in the Canadian labour market.

Margaret M. Vokes, President
Global Reach Enterprises Inc.

"Global Reach Enterprises developed and implemented a market development strategy for sales of new cheese processing equipment developed by our company in European countries and in the United States."

"Global Reach was instrumental in developing key strategic partnerships and business opportunities for us in Denmark, The Netherlands and Italy, and in helping us to expand our business in the US.  Her international marketing and management consulting expertise have helped grow our business."

David Mamon, President
Highland Equipment Limited
www.highlandequip.com

"Global Reach Enterprises has undertaken a range of work for our company, and associated companies, including market assessments, market surveys and strategic and business planning support in the energy and infrastructure sectors."

"In all cases the work has been executed in a timely and cost-effective manner to high professional standards. As needs evolve, we will continue to use Margaret Vokes’ services for specific assignments."

Graham Williams, P.Eng.
Vice-president, Corporate Development
Acres Inc.
www.acres.com

"Our experience with Global Reach Enterprises has spanned business development and project feasibility studies in Southeast and South Asian countries.

The firm has provided valuable market intelligence, assistance and advice relating to government support and financing programs, project research, analysis and report writing. Margaret Vokes has been a valuable member of our project teams, and we expect this relationship to continue in the future."

Norio Takemura, President
Nortak Software Ltd.
www.nortak.com

"I have worked with Margaret Vokes over a number of years during her employment with Ontario Exports Inc. After she left to develop her own business, the working relationship continued. Global Reach Enterprises has undertaken intensive research studies on our behalf related to international capital projects markets and business development, program recommendations, business plans, programs to match members of international business delegations to Canadian partners, and seminar events."

"I have always been impressed by Margaret’s ability to research, analyze and communicate effectively, and by her expertise in strategic and business planning and international project development. I would recommend this company to anyone looking to succeed in international markets."

Al Wahba, Vice-president
Ontario Exports Inc.
www.ontario-canada.com

"Margaret Vokes' precise research skills were a welcome addition to the Peel-Halton-Dufferin Training Board's Environmental Scan 2002 project. Her ability to analyze and synthesize information, while working under strict timelines, was of great benefit to our organization. In addition to this, Ms. Vokes' open and accessible style of communication made it a pleasure to work with her."

"The funders of this project, Human Resources Development Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, were more than pleased with the final product Ms. Vokes produced for us."

Timothy B. Fuchs Executive Director
Peel-Halton-Dufferin Training Board