Her Story
About Maria
Maria Pechurina serves as Enterprise Account Executive at KYG Trade, where she helps large enterprises adopt AI-native software solutions for global trade compliance and managed services. Based in Washington, D.C., her expertise spans global trade and customs compliance, international relations, and government affairs. She holds credentials from the Flagship Program for Chinese language learning and a master's degree in international trade, economic diplomacy, and Mandarin, completed in an expedited one-year program. Maria is fluent in Spanish, Mandarin, and Russian, skills she has applied in hosting international delegations. Her professional journey includes positions at the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, where she advanced from administrative assistant to international commerce and trade specialist while contributing to civic initiatives, and as Director of International Trade at Peacock Tariff Consulting, focusing on thought leadership and client consulting during periods of regulatory disruption. She currently sits on the board of directors for Women in International Trade in the Northern California, New York City, and Washington, D.C. chapters, and completed the Leadership San Francisco program with a focus on civic engagement issues such as homelessness, education, and community empowerment. Maria attributes her success to mentorship received throughout her education and career, and she values discipline and lifelong learning in both her professional and personal pursuits.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to mentorship. It started in undergraduate with my language program and advisory through amazing professors and staff. Being lucky with the graduate school I picked where I got a lot of face time with incredible professionals. In all of my jobs and through my board involvement, I've had an amazing opportunity to work alongside very influential women who have taken me under their wing and given me their time to help me grow and learn.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say explore and commit to studying and sitting in for the Customs Broker Exam. It's got a lower pass rate than the bar. Also, pay attention to relationships, stay in touch, build your network, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't ever say no to yourself, let others refuse you. If you see someone on LinkedIn whose career you love, reach out and see if they would give you 15 minutes of their time.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In trade compliance, the challenge is twofold. On the one hand, we have the extremely disrupted regulatory environment, starting with tariffs but many things trickling down from the White House. The bigger challenge is that most of our work is actually done manually through spreadsheets or email. As the world moves towards AI adoption, professionals struggle with time-consuming tasks under a lot of pressure from above.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Definitely discipline, in so many ways. In enterprise sales, it's the discipline to persevere through the quiet times. Same with nonprofit work, staying the course. Lifelong learning as well, just keeping an open, curious mind, and not falling into the trap of thinking that I know anything really. It's important to learn but also important to enjoy it, because it's a lifelong commitment.
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