Suzanne Kao

Currently serving as founding Partner of Resolute Empire, Suzanne is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the company, as well as subject matter expert on export controls. Resolute Empire is a consultancy focused on business strategy, venture capital, global trade advisory services, with a sector focus on aerospace, defense and technology.

With over 20 years experience, Suzanne served as Deloitte’s Global Leader for its Export Controls practice. With her extensive export controls and sanctions experience, Suzanne focuses on advising a range of industries, including aerospace, defense, and high technology sectors, on US export controls and sanctions compliance involving the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Controls Regulations (OFAC). Suzanne helps clients with global trade compliance strategy and transformation. Amongst the other global trade services she provides, she advises on jurisdictional classifications, technology transfers, strategic licensing, trade and sanctions compliance assessments, audits and investigations, related disclosures to US Government agencies, as well as associated US Government enforcement and compliance actions. As the Global Export Controls leader, she works with international clients in advising on the extraterritorial nature of US export and sanctions regulations, designing and implementing export controls and sanctions compliance programs, providing guidance and solutions for proactive and remedial measures for international trade compliance, creating and conducting customized export compliance and sanctions training, and assisting international organizations with export controls-related strategic, operational, and compliance matters related to merger, acquisition and divestiture, integration activities, as well as trade automation and business model optimization. Suzanne works closely with US and global clients to address their operational and compliance-based export control and sanctions requirements in a practical and effective manner.

Prior to joining Deloitte, Suzanne was a practicing international trade lawyer for over 15 years. She was the founding member of an international trade law firm in Washington, D.C., where she counseled and advised clients in regulatory areas including the ITAR, EAR, OFAC and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Her extensive experience also includes previously practicing international trade law and government contracts at a large Washington, D.C.-based multinational law firm as well as serving as a Federal Judicial Clerk at the US Court of Federal Claims.