About Karen Dunlap – President and General Manager
A native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Karen received her degrees in Spanish and History from Mount Mercy College, lived in Spain and Mexico, and has worked in various aspects of international trade throughout her professional career. Her 30-plus years of international business experience includes international banking, export operations for an Iowa manufacturing firm, and export management.
In 1990, Karen launched Dunlap International, Inc. to provide export documentation and logistics assistance to companies that do not have their own international operations staff. From that simple documentation service, Dunlap International, Inc. has continued to meet the changing needs of our clients by adding in-house training and customized consulting on specific trade problems, including Incoterms® 2010, documentation, export compliance and Letters of Credit.
In May 1991, the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce recognized Karen Dunlap as Entrepreneur of the Year, and again in 1998 for Entrepreneurial Excellence. Karen served on the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce International Trade Bureau Advisory Committee as well as the former International Business Advisory Committee for Kirkwood Community College. The company remains members of the International Traders of Iowa, East Iowa Chapter.
In 2000, Karen was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to the Iowa District Export Council, and remains active, serving her fourth term on the DEC.
In December 2014, Karen became a NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional. The NASBITE CGBP confirms knowledge in international trade and assures that employees are able to practice global business at the professional level required in today’s competitive environment.
In May 2015 U.S Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, presented Dunlap International with the President’s “E” Award for Excellence in Export Service for our significant contributions in the effort to increase U.S exports.
Karen is also active in the community, volunteering for Central City Mainstreet, North Linn Catholic Cluster, 4-H, and Cedar Rapids Rabbit Breeders Association. In 2004 she was awarded a KCRG 9 Who Care award for outstanding public service.
