Joshua Boileau leads White Cross Online growth
Joshua Boileau earned his elite CITP designation in September 2025. His interest in international trade was sparked at a young age, watching his family’s work ethic and dedication to their jobs.
He grew up in a household of blue-collar workers who instilled a sense of work excellence and dedication that inspired him to work in a career that amplified those skills. International trade, to him, requires commitment and is the glue that holds everything together for international businesses.
Early Career and Education
Joshua saw parallels between how international trade operated and how his family negotiated contracts, maintained client trust, and ensured quality. These similarities cemented his choice to pursue trade as a career path.
He completed the FITTskills program through Algonquin College, one of FITT‘s educational partners. His favourite part of the program was the people who taught it, professors with many years of experience, skills, and cultural awareness.
He credits the courses with deepening his intercultural understanding, a critical skill in both e-commerce and global operations. His favourite course, International Sales & Marketing, was particularly influential, inspiring him to pursue an optional co-op placement in South Africa.
Professional Experience and Challenges
Joshua worked at Shopify, where he learned a powerful lesson about perseverance after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He helped Ukrainian merchants set up their online stores, and it was inspiring to see entrepreneurs in crisis create new businesses.
He regards reacting to tariffs as one of the most interesting aspects of his career, as pivoting a business is incredibly difficult, especially in a small business environment. By shifting focus to new markets, he has been able to help his employer open new and interesting paths.
For anyone entering the field of international trade, Joshua has one piece of advice: “You need to learn how to crawl before you can run.” International trade, he believes, demands patience, commitment, and a desire to do things the right way, at the right times.
CITP Designation and Future Plans
For Joshua, the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP|FIBP) designation represents credibility. He wants to have a credible voice, backed by a world-recognized professional organization, when dealing with international brands, brokers, reps, and supply chains.
Earning the designation also felt meaningful and forward-looking for Joshua, as he is excited about where it will lead him.
With a blend of technical expertise, global awareness, and human-centred values, Joshua is poised to help shape the future of ethical, sustainable, and globally connected commerce. The CITP designation strengthens his vision.
As someone who has experienced the impact of international trade on businesses and communities, Joshua understands the importance of being able to adapt to changing global circumstances. His ability to create effective marketing strategies will be essential in driving growth and success, particularly in regions like Indonesia.
