Melissa Shanahan is a Senior Trade Auditor at Deleon Trade LLC, where she helps clients navigate various aspects of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trade compliance. She specializes in designing and reviewing statistical samples to assess non-compliance risks, preparing prior disclosure documentation, and developing strategic internal controls to minimize future compliance issues. Melissa also assists clients in audit preparation and in responding to CBP inquiries and requests for information. Her expertise extends to value reconciliations, cost submissions, and in-depth reviews of special trade programs and valuation matters.

Before joining Deleon Trade LLC, Melissa spent over 16 years in federal auditing and enforcement roles, including 11 years as an Asset Forfeiture Specialist and Forensic Auditor with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations in Denver. In this role, she assisted with the identification, seizure, and forfeiture of assets in criminal investigations, collaborating extensively with CBP Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures officials and various United States Attorney's Offices.

Melissa began her career as an Auditor with CBP’s Office of Regulatory Audit in Chicago, where she served for five years. As an audit team leader, she conducted Focused Assessments, broker audits, commercial fraud investigations, anti-dumping duty reviews, and user fee audits.

She has successfully completed multiple advanced Customs training courses, including Advanced Valuation, Statistical Sampling, Focused Assessments, Evaluating Internal Controls, Advanced Financial Investigations and Forensic Investigative Techniques, and International Banking and Money Laundering.

With a strong foundation in both government and private-sector compliance, Melissa provides comprehensive support to clients seeking to strengthen their trade compliance programs and mitigate regulatory risks.