Brian McBrearity

Current

Interim Country Director, South Africa at TechnoServe

Past

Regional Manager, East Africa Dairy Development Program at TechnoServe
Consultant (Nairobi, Kenya) at TechnoServe
Consultant, Agriculture Lending Initiative (Lusaka, Zambia) at FINCA

Independent Consultant at Eco Inn Experiences, LLC
Teacher at Valley View English Medium School, Tanzania
Business Development Consultant at Kilimanjaro Industrial Development & Training
Director, New Business Development Group at AllianceBernstein
Vice President, Global Equity Portfolio Management Group at AllianceBernstein

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Education

Columbia University - Columbia Business School
Boston College

Connections

310 connections

Industry

International Trade and Development

Websites

Notes from Kenya

Brian McBrearity’s Summary

Finance veteran with five years of management and program experience in sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). Significant business development experience in both start-up companies and developing countries. Professional background in sub-Saharan Africa has largely centered on developing consistent income streams for rural MSME’s, using private sector-based approaches.

Possesses strong private sector background, and leverages that experience in private sector approaches to income generation for the poor.

Brian McBrearity’s Specialties:

Financial markets, capital markets in developing countries, microfinance, agriculture SME development, ecotourism, value chain analysis, project design and management, new business development

Brian McBrearity’s Experience

Interim Country Director, South Africa

TechnoServe

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

October 2009 — Present (2 months)
Regional Manager, East Africa Dairy Development Program

TechnoServe

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

May 2008 — July 2009 (1 year 3 months)

Manager for a 4-year, multi-million dollar dairy development program being implemented in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya by a consortium of five partners. Coordinate and support the individual country programs, as well as act as the lead TechnoServe representative at the regional level. Member of the TechnoServe East Africa leadership team.

• Designed and implemented a process to collect data from farmer-owned enterprises across the region. Clear and consistent data collection allows for timely analysis, and training on use of data.
• Led a tender selection process for financial institution partners as well as suppliers of equipment for the farmer-owned enterprises. Identified an equipment supplier and four financial partners.
• Oversaw the research and development of dairy industry value chain analyses for Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
• Responsible for fulfilling all reporting and budgeting requirements to the lead partner under the project.
Consultant (Nairobi, Kenya)

TechnoServe

(Non-Profit; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)

May 2007 — May 2008 (1 year 1 month)

Analyzed value chains for agriculture products, wrote business plans for farmer associations, and performed background research/due diligence for a proposed IFC financing facility targeting agriculture-based SME’s in East Africa.

Developed a full financial model for a rural chilling plant enterprise, owned by farmers in village settings throughout East Africa. Modeled revenues, expenses, loan payments and other aspects affecting a chilling plant’s financial operations. Based on financial model, wrote a full strategic plan and investment plan to be used as a tool for approaching financial institutions for loans, as well as managing the enterprise going forward. Identified market opportunities, need for these businesses, risks and mitigation strategies.
Consultant, Agriculture Lending Initiative (Lusaka, Zambia)

FINCA

(Non-Profit; Financial Services industry)

October 2006 — January 2007 (4 months)

Conducted independent research and feasibility study on a new microfinance agriculture lending initiative in Zambia. The study involved a partnership with Land O’ Lakes’ dairy development program, and focused on rural small-scale dairy farmers. Performed market analysis and created concept design for a potential product offering.

Created financial models and made recommendations based on analysis and personal interviews; highlighted strengths and weaknesses in implementation and assessed the initiative’s potential for profitably and sustainability.
Independent Consultant

Eco Inn Experiences, LLC

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Leisure, Travel & Tourism industry)

November 2005 — October 2006 (1 year )

Start-up ecotourism company promoting conservation and sustainable economic development. Consulted with principal partners on corporate direction, defining the marketplace, and securing initial funding.
Teacher

Valley View English Medium School, Tanzania

(Non-Profit; Primary/Secondary Education industry)

May 2004 — December 2004 (8 months)

Taught math and computers at a rural village school in Tanzania, East Africa. Developed and enhanced curriculum, based on government-issued mathematics standards. Created curriculum and class structure for new computer lab, incorporating logistical issues and time constraints.
Business Development Consultant

Kilimanjaro Industrial Development & Training

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Professional Training & Coaching industry)

May 2004 — June 2004 (2 months)

Designed project at a local computer and business training center in Tanzania, East Africa to determine opportunities for capacity building and revenue expansion. Reviewed existing business for strengths and weaknesses; identified areas for improvement.
Director, New Business Development Group

AllianceBernstein

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Investment Management industry)

February 2002 — April 2004 (2 years 3 months)

Directed new group on expansion of strategies offered to firm’s private clients. Initial business development projects included the successful launch of two new hedge funds, as well as a redesign of the entire hedge fund and international equity marketing platforms.
Vice President, Global Equity Portfolio Management Group

AllianceBernstein

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Investment Management industry)

June 1995 — February 2002 (6 years 9 months)

Created and led team focused on managing firm’s largest private client relationships. Assessed internal and external needs in order to develop group’s objectives. Identified unique aspects of largest relationships and designed strategy accordingly. Responsibilities included creating and implementing the year-end tax strategy for the private client business.

Brian McBrearity’s Education

Columbia University - Columbia Business School

MBA , Finance , 2000 — 2001
Boston College

BA , Economics , 1991 — 1995

Activities and Societies:

Editor-in-Chief, The Heights