SOAS University of London

Institute of Export & International Trade UK

Foro Europeo Escuela de Negocios de Navarra

University of Scranton

IEFEE

Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales

I advise on challenges within the economic development and diversification context. I also comment about it externally

I oversee and contribute with what is going on mainly in the Middle East and Africa with respect to fintech.You can contact the team based in London (also includes me now in Dubai) at the new dedicated MEA section email at <a href="mailto:editor.mea@thefintechtimes.com">editor.mea@thefintechtimes.com</a> likewise the global one at <a href="mailto:editor@thefintechtimes.com">editor@thefintechtimes.com</a>

The Fintech Times

Contributor - Head of Middle East & Africa (MEA)

As the head of strategy Richie oversees strategic work with key projects at Rise, while working internally with the other senior management team members in future company growth.Rise Group Middle East:Rise is an independent marketing and commercial services consultancy based in Dubai. We work with clients to maximise business and brand returns on their investments, by providing a range of services tailored specifically towards achieving commercial objectives.  We help both public and private sector clients to transform the commercial value of their assets or investments, by combining strategic consultancy with implementation to deliver long-term impact and lasting value.  <a href="https://www.risegroupme.com/">https://www.risegroupme.com/</a>

RISE Group ME

Head Of Strategy

I head the MENA operations for Fintech Power 50 (my details below the description)The Fintech Power 50 is an annual guide to the most influential and innovative companies, and visionary personalities shaping the Fintech industry. Each year we select 40 innovative companies and 10 of the worlds best Fintech Influencers.It acts as a much-needed reminder of all the great things we are achieving in the world of financial technology, and shines a spotlight on those who are transforming financial services for the better.The Fintech Power 50 does not just stop at being a publication. As well as showcasing the hottest in the Fintech world, the Fintech Power 50 will also act as a hub that actively promotes its members to a global audience by introducing bespoke networking and event opportunities, organised with partners, such as B-Hive Europe, Barclays Bank PLC and London & Partners. Through the Fintech Power 50, organisations can secure strategic partnerships with both established financial technology leaders with years of relevant experience, and the fresh up-and-coming fintech’s looking to collaborate on the next big <a href="mailto:thing.Richie.Santosdiaz@thepower50.com">thing.Richie.Santosdiaz@thepower50.com</a>

The Fintech Power 50

Head of Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

I am consulting, contributing and presenting where I use the UAE's media hub in Abu Dhabi as my base of operations.The media authorities are my visa sponsors in the UAE.

twofour54 Abu Dhabi - Media and Entertainment Hub

Consultant and Contributor

Mentor based in the UAE for the Mayor of London's Export Programme, covering the Gulf region. Given that I speak Spanish (also know those markets in particular Spain and parts of Latin America) and also know North America that also covers the Hispanic world, USA and Canada.

Mayor's International Business Programme

Mentor - Middle East (Gulf) - also Spanish-speaking world and North America

We are an online platform educating the masses on the concept of life abroad. We use factual content, real-life examples of people abroad, and other content to showcase the beauty (and determination) of people living their own dreams outside their native country. <a href="http://www.youngamericanexpat.com">www.youngamericanexpat.com</a>

Young American Expat

Founder  -  Producer  -  Contributor

After working for various organizations and industries, recently almost 5 years for a London-based management consultancy firm, Richie Santosdiaz decided to bring his subject matter expertise (SME) on a much wider scale, particularly in the realm of connecting people and using, when needed, his realm of expertise in economic development, specifically around international trade and internationalization. Operating globally as part as any potential work using the Middle East, Europe and the Americas as base. He also (more now) loves to talk and tell the world about his passion via as a thought leader SME in print and videoWork interested in collaborating on:-Subcontracted, interim and/or deployment work (potentially also full-time depending on opportunity) in the context of internationalization and wider economic development work mainly in the management consulting space (strategy, change management, implementation, managed services) - location flexible-Utilizing network to boost global connectivity, particularly in Europe, Americas (North & South) and the Middle East and Asia -Media commentary work, thought leadership or digital storytelling mainly around international trade and economic development as an SME (print and video) - also with expat hobby​-Capability development (in the context of management consulting) & also adjunct university and interpersonal skills training-Open to other opportunities pending schedule and availability Visit my website for more <a href="http://info:www.richiesantosdiaz.com">info:www.richiesantosdiaz.com</a>

Economic Development Expert (specifically international trade)  -  Wider Internationalization

I have done some guest lecturing mainly with CIEE when I lived in LondonCIEE:The American equivalent of the ERASMUS program in Europe, CIEE is a non-profit, non-governmental international exchange organization, which has been the US leader in producing high-quality international study abroad and exchange programs for 65 years. CIEE runs a Global Institute Center in London; students in the program are allowed to take courses at University of London's UCL, SOAS (to name a few) but also can take courses at CIEE's London Campus in Russell Square.

guest lecturer

International Business  -  Global Trade  -  EU  -  British Business

Voluntary director for a major North American expat group in London called "Expat Rec Room," which encompasses mostly Canadian and American expats, as well as for those interested in North American culture. This was founded by Lauren Sternberg end of 2014. Both Lauren and I, as well as an increasing group of committee members, primarily organized events in London such as meetups, as well as celebrating both American and Canadian holidays. As of January 2017 membership base was around +1,400 people. Although I am not officially involved anymore I still am involved as a voluntary advisor.

The Expat Rec-Room

Director

PA Consulting Group is a London-based consultancy employing 2,500 people globally, specializing in management consulting, technology and innovation. It has clients in both the private and public sector including local and national governments and the defence sector. I have worked mainly as a expert primarily on various international trade & investment projects, within a wider economic development context, as well as projects outside of main specialization. Assignments have included government clients in Western Europe, North America, and the Middle East, capability development for both external clients (both in the UK and overseas) and internal colleagues, and business development and partnership opportunities. Details of some assignments have included: foreign direct investment work for the UK government, export work for the government of Canada, and commercial stakeholder for the Mayor of London's International Business Program. My work has allowed me to be on different projects at high-level, interact with various clients and stakeholders, and travel extensively in the UK and especially worldwide, including continental Europe, North America and the Middle East.  My work also reached to other regions such as East and South Asia, and Latin America. Finally, the work has encompassed a wide range of sectors, which include agriculture and agrifoods, manufacturing, transportation, clean technology, creative industries, ICT, business professional and financial services, healthcare and natural resources. I was also one of few who not only was a certified trainer but even delivered presentation skills to colleagues. Training was part of wider capability development know-how which also resulted in other projects with various clients.

PA Consulting Group

Economic Development Expert

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the UK government department helping UK companies to export, as well as attracting overseas investment into the UK, collaborating with the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the UK Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO). This specific team was in partnership with Greater London Enterprise (GLE).  Part of £5 million 2009-13 European Union project helping SMEs from London overcome barriers to international trade. The London’s mayor office fund administered the fund.  Role was project management and client facing; Greater London Enterprise (GLE) was the delivering partner.

UK Trade & Investment

Project Executive at UK Trade & Investment's London International Trade Team

Worked with the London Study Centre's Senior Programme Officer in the center's operations, helping run the program's academic operations in the UK. The centre serves as a first point of contact for University of California students in the UK.For the University of California (UC), as well as American study abroad programs in general, the UK is one, if not the most, popular destination for American students to study abroad. On average, there can be approximately 200 students from the UC system alone that study in the UK. The centre has students from all of the University of California institutions, including Berkeley, UCLA, and Santa Cruz - to name a few.

University of California

Assistant to Senior Programme Officer

SIC Lazaro produces counterweights for elevators and heavy machinery; the company is based in the province of Navarra in Spain, not far from the city of Pamplona.  This role primarily was to set up the future US operations of Sic Lazaro.  It involved surveying the counterweight, raw material, heavy machinery and elevator market for 2010 market entry in the United States, as well as establishing connections with potential clients, suppliers, and identified possible plant locations in the US.  This included even identifying and establishing relations with possible suppliers in coal, steel, and scrap material. Sic Lazaro produces counterweights for heavy machinery and construction cranes.  The company was undergoing heavy losses during the beginning of the Spanish economic crisis and needed to expand further internationally.  As the role was a strategic and business development role, there was extensive travelling initially between Spain and the US, as well as within the US, which were at least 10 states.

SIC LAZARO

Strategic Development Manager’s USA Representative

Giraud International (now known as Geodis) is a French-based transportation company.  Their Iberian headquarters is in Pamplona. I analyzed statistics and found solutions to Giraud’s inefficiency with its fleet and transportation routes within Spain & Portugal, later successfully integrated new research method for the departmentWhen I was working there the company was called Giraud International (subsidiary Giraud Iberica).  The office still exists but it is now called Geodis BM.

Geodis BM

Operations Department Analyst at transportation company

Semester-long part-time management trainee program in the Scranton branch office, from working under the branch manager to client facing reservations.  Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a major rental car company in the United States.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Operations Management Trainee Program (semester-long work study)

Advised students on study abroad process, from registering with international programs to adapting to  new country and culture, which helped create interest, especially for South America and Europe

Study Abroad Advisor for Director of International Programs

Hotel Management internship at luxury 5-star hotel in the center of Buenos Aires, primarily shadowing the hotel deputy manager on understanding how his team operate and learning customer service skills in high-end environment, also learned Portuguese as 80% of clientele were Brazilian.

725 Continental Hotel

Hotel Management Internship at a 5 star international hotel

Semester internship program where I interned at this well-known human rights organization in Argentina.  Las Abuelas de la Plaza de Mayo's goal is to find children stolen and illegally adopted during the Argentine Dirty War.

Las Abuelas de la Plaza de Mayo

Non-governmental organization (NGO) internship

Gained solid business, sales, and client facing experience working part-time at the Lawn & Garden department.......................................................................................................................................................Keywords: Sales, business development, account management, retail