We are pleased to announce that social entrepreneur, corporate strategist, and former investment banker Nicole Reynolds has joined the TWG team as our new Managing Director to support our growing client base to expand investment and economic development opportunities in Africa. Nicole has over 19 years’ experience spanning Wall Street, industry and international development, with particular expertise in investment facilitation, competitiveness and enterprise development in a variety of sectors including telecom/technology, agribusiness, consumer products, manufacturing and clean energy in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Most recently, Nicole led the Capital Advisory Services team for International Executive Service Corps (IESC). Her team advised clients on raising debt and mezzanine expansion capital in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East from both impact investors and development finance institutions, including the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Prior to IESC, Nicole was the Founder and Managing Partner of Acadia Development Group, a boutique consultancy bringing together private capital, cutting edge technology and world class management practices to create scalable, sustainable social impact and lasting development outcomes in emerging markets. From 2005 to 2013, she was a partner in Vinnic Group of New York and Washington, DC, a boutique consultancy focused on developing innovative business platforms to leverage clients’ existing assets and intellectual property in the ICT sector to create new businesses. From 1996 to 2005, she held a series of posts as an investment banker at Salomon Smith Barney in both the global M&A group in New York and the European Media and Telecom group in London. On the corporate side, she was a Manager in the Corporate Development Group at NBC, Inc. (GE/Comcast), and at Primedia, Inc., a KKR company, she served as Vice President of Business Development at Primedia Software-on-Demand. Nicole has executed projects in 15 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East and speaks fluent French.
“We are delighted to have Nicole on the TWG team,” said Rosa Whitaker, TWG’s President and CEO. “Her wealth of experience will prove particularly invaluable as we continue to expand the TWG “We Build You Grow” initiative that mobilizes global financing, operators and developers to address Africa’s need for $100 billion in annual infrastructure investment.”
TWG currently has over $3 billion in infrastructure projects under development.
“Nicole brings together the experience, dedication, and insight to create the win-win relationships that drive global partnerships,” said Mr. Vinnie Grosso, Managing Partner, Vinnievision Consulting Group. “She takes the diverse interests of global stakeholders and finds common ground to achieve success.”
We are also pleased to announce four other recent appointments.
· In June 2015, Katarvia Taylor joined the TWG team – working between DC and Accra offices – as Senior Director of International Projects and Operations. Previously on the staff of the Technology & General Services Department at the IMF, Katarvia is an experienced and multilingual administrator with particular expertise in IT solutions, project management and organizational development. A seasoned internationalist, Katarvia is fluent in German, Spanish, and French.
· Hilary Kozikowski, most recently the public relations and communications coordinator at Virginia International University (VIU), has been appointed as the new Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, effective January 2016. She was appointed by President George W. Bush as the Special Assistant to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation where she planned and arranged U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters’ schedule, and assisted the Secretary at press conferences and events. Previously, she served as a White House intern in the Office of Presidential Appointments and Scheduling.
· In October 2015, Anastasia Roshal joined the team as TWG’s new Office and Finance Manager. She is highly experienced in providing administrative support, office management, event/project coordination, and marketing assistance to high level international entities. She comes to TWG from Encon Services International LLC in Bethesda and is proficient in Russian, Hebrew, and German. Previously, she worked for the Swiss Embassy, the Israeli Embassy, and the World Bank where she used her multilingual skills and organizational capacity to assist with projects, plan events, and provide guest services.
· Simon Barber, the Principal at Izwi Communications, has rejoined TWG as Senior Advisor, Global Engagement and Communications. As U.S. Country Manager for Brand South Africa from 2002 to 2014, Simon led the South African Government’s efforts in the United States to brand South Africa as a business and investment destination. With more than 35 years’ experience in communications and as a well-known observer and commentator on African business and trade, Simon brings unparalleled skills in telling Africa’s story on a range of platforms.
