Our Expertise:

An infographic divided into four columns explaining different areas of expertise. The first column, titled "Commercial Diplomacy," shows a handshake icon and describes strategic guidance for businesses navigating global commerce and government relations. The second column, titled "International Trade," features a globe icon and discusses utilizing trade policies and engaging with international organizations and governments. The third column, titled "Regulatory Policy Advising," depicts a clipboard icon and covers analysis and advice on regulatory frameworks and public policy across jurisdictions. The fourth column, titled "Technical Assistance & Capacity Building," displays an open book icon and explains designing programs and training to strengthen organizational capabilities and technical expertise.

Get to Know Us:

Ashlyn Holeyfield, Parapet Advisors. A woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a red blazer and a pink top, sitting in a room with a red and brown background.

Ashlyn Holeyfield, Founder & Principal

Ashlyn Holeyfield is Principal and Co-Founder of Parapet Advisors. Previously, she served as Deputy Director for Trade Agreements Negotiations and Compliance at the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). In this capacity, Ashlyn advocated on behalf of U.S. business priorities in bilateral, multilateral, and plurilateral trade agreement negotiations. Additionally, she led a team of experts in the investigation and resolution of trade barriers ensuring trade agreement compliance with the World Trade Organization Agreements on Trade Facilitation, Custom Valuation, Import Licensing, Rules of Origin, and Government Procurement. She also facilitated the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Customs and Trade Facilitation (ITAC 13), a joint Commerce and United States Trade Representative formal private sector policy feedback mechanism. 

Prior to joining ITA, she served as a Presidential Management Fellow in the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of the Administrator and Office of Veterans Business Development. Before turning to economic policy, Ashlyn gained experience in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives focusing on education and workforce development policy. She holds a Master of Public Policy Degree from American University in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations from Hendrix College in Conway, AR.

Areas of Focus: Customs; Trade Facilitation; International Negotiations; Training and Education; Small and Veterans Business Development; Regulatory & Legislative Analysis

Emily Gershon, Parapet Advisors. A young woman with long blonde hair smiling, wearing a burgundy blouse and a necklace, indoors with a red patterned background and a yellowish-brown sofa.

Emily Gershon, Founder & Principal

Emily Gershon is Principal and Co-Founder of Parapet Advisors. Most recently, she worked as Team Lead for Trade Agreements Negotiations and Compliance at the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA). Emily led the Good Regulatory Practices portfolio advancing the interests of U.S. businesses by ensuring transparency and predictability across foreign markets. She also led efforts to address Technical Barriers to Trade across North America working to secure the full benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement for U.S. exporters. During her time at ITA, she was detailed to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Trade where she spearheaded ITA’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinated the agency’s development of resources for affected businesses.

Emily began her career in international development and humanitarian affairs in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following her work abroad, she served as the Chief Clerk for the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics where she worked to improve government transparency and accountability. She served as a Presidential Management Fellow in the U.S. Department of Commerce and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Public Policy from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Areas of Focus: Regulatory Development and Policy; International Trade and Development; Anti-Corruption; Good Regulatory Practices; Corporate Social Responsibility; Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

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