Kirsten

Weiss, MBA
Professional Experience Summary
Developed strategic communications plans to expand consumer product awareness in Republic of Georgia and Afghanistan. Authored articles and press releases for trade magazines and professional journals. Managed and trained global teams of local and international consultants; oversaw work plans, client interactions, and day-to-day activities. Managed relationships with foreign and US government agencies, donors, and clients. Led product development processes, successfully reaching new market segments. Generated a 500% increase in customer base through product improvements. Created buzz for small businesses using blogs, eBook marketing, video ads, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media channels. Conducted market research and industry analyses in international environments.

Global Marketing Specialist

kirsten_weiss2001@yahoo.com www.kirstenweiss.com 650.863.2874 140 South Boulevard San Mateo, California 94402

Key Accomplishments
Developed a strategic marketing plan for the Estonian tourism industry. Core elements of the plan remain in use 15 years later. On a shoestring budget, spearheaded an industry awareness campaign for microcredit services in Afghanistan, driving major lead flow. Turned around a struggling financial services start-up in the Republic of Georgia.

Core Competencies
Strategic planning Public speaking Authoring web text and collateral materials Relationship management Event planning Product management Demand generation

Work History
SGC FINANCIAL, San Mateo, CA, Financial Advisor: 2009 to 2011 Drove new client acquisition and managed client relationships. Generated demand through events, achieving a 10% client conversion rate. Authored articles and marketing materials targeting the consumer market. SHOREBANK INTERNATIONAL, LTD., Afghanistan/Pakistan, Senior Consultant: 2005 to 2009 Provided consulting to financial institutions in the Middle East and North Africa. Developed strategic marketing and operating plans. Designed growth strategies for financial institutions, focusing on sales efficiencies and efficient product management. INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT, San Mateo, CA, Global Microfinance Consultant: 2003 to 2005 Worked with the World Bank and US government agencies to design and implement marketing and communications programs in the Republic of Georgia and Afghanistan. Developed a country-wide PR campaign for Georgias microfinance industry, successfully tilting public perception in favor of improved microfinance laws. Provided new product advisory services to financial institutions in Afghanistan. FINCA INTERNATIONAL, INC.: 1996 to 2002 Country Manager, Tbilisi, Georgia, 1998 to 2002 Managed $3.5M microfinance country program with 70 on-site and remote employees. Developed new financial products, increasing companys net income by 400%. Managed relationships with funders, stakeholders, and local governments. Reduced employee turnover from 25% to 2% within 1 year.

Education
MBA in International Management Specialization in Global Marketing Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, AZ GPA: 3.8 Bachelor of Science, Business Administration Minor in International Relations University of California, Riverside, CA GPA: 3.6

Product Manager, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 1996 to 1998 Expanded client base by designing and launching a new financial services product, targeting the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) market. Built and managed the dedicated SME loan department, evaluating and coaching staff.

UNITED STATES PEACE CORPS, Small Enterprise Development Advisor, Tallinn, Estonia: 1994 to 1996 Strategic marketing advisory services to the Estonian Tourism Board and its stakeholders. Authored marketing and promotional materials. Developed a strategic marketing plan for Estonian tourism. Managed U.S. grant to build an environmental center, on-budget, in an Estonian national park.