What Role Laid the Foundation for Your Work Today?

Dearest Friends!

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of being a guest speaker at a Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (“YTILI”) event in Washington, D.C. YTILI is the U.S. Department of State’s flagship fellowship program for emerging entrepreneurs from Europe (www.ytili.org).

Can you imagine the youthful exuberance of 44 entrepreneurs ages 25 to 35 from 33 different European countries in 1 meeting room? 

Different industries, different languages, and different backgrounds. All budding entrepreneurs with a business at least 2 years old. And all with big dreams! They’ll be returning to their home countries soon after spending many weeks in the United States. 

Their excitement & optimism were palpable. This world desperately needs more programs like YTILI! More understanding, more discourse, more collaboration, more partnering, and more shared experiences!

Opportunities like this also tend to elicit personal reflection – what was I doing when I was their age and at that stage in my career? 

I was working in the Investment Funds Department at The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), recently renamed the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (“DFC”). The DFC is the U.S.’s development finance institution, partnering with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today (www.dfc.org). 

I could write pages about my transformative experience working at OPIC/DFC. Incredible people, impactful projects, and global travel. Friendships & networks that endure today! 

That opportunity, at that time in my life, laid a solid foundation for my work today in ESG & Sustainability. People, Planet, & Profit were at the heart of OPIC/DFC’s work then and still are today. I’m so grateful for that life-shaping experience and to the people who have encouraged me along the way with my company, Faust Global Partners, where we are focused on “Driving Growth for a Sustainable World.”

Warmest wishes to the YTILI Fellows – I’ll be cheering you on as you build sustainable businesses and rise to be respected leaders in your countries! 

Sending all my best, always! 

Warmly,

Jennifer Faust
Faust Global Partners
Founder & Managing Partner
 

P.S. Did you hear about our recently launched ESG/S advisory curriculum? It’s a comprehensive coaching program focused on helping leaders and boards understand the dynamic ESG/S movement and build an ESG/S framework for their respective organizations. The program is especially relevant for small and medium-sized businesses looking to adopt an ESG/S framework but lack the time, resources, and finances to do it. For more information, please email us at jennifer@faustglobal.com.

For more information on Faust Global Partners, please find us at www.faustglobal.com.