Betsy Biemann Email and Phone Number

Chief executive officer of this nationally-known community development financial institution founded in 1977. Works with CEI’s staff, Board and boards of CEI’s subsidiaries to grow a more just, vibrant and climate resilient future for people and communities in Maine and rural regions across the U.S., by integrating finance, business advice and policy solutions in ways that help make our economic system work more equitably.

Leading development of a plan to accelerate Maine's agriculture and food industries for a new business-led economic development initiative. Advised the Harvard Business School Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness's initiative advancing industry clusters and regional economic growth across the U.S. Assisted a national nonprofit based in New York City to launch a social enterprise and raise over $4 million in capital necessary to achieve self-sustainability.Reviewed best practices, developed strategy options for and established a new nonprofit to help affordable housing residents advance themselves in life, work and school. Client was a family foundation and two private national housing development and management partners.

Directed Growing Maine's Food Cluster, Growing Maine, a project of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government (Kennedy School of Government) and the Institute of Strategy and Competitiveness (Harvard Business School).

Chief executive of an industry-led, publicly-supported nonprofit investment organization funding innovation, business development and commercialization of new products. Led team of twelve and portfolio totaling $75 million.

Directed national philanthropic investment strategy helping low-wage and unemployed workers get and keep good jobs and gain skills and boosting economic development in low-income communities.

Supported African NGOs aiming to boost girl's education and reduce poverty. Staffed the launch of a global HIV-AIDS vaccine initiative.

Staffed partnership-building and philanthropy-building projects that helped African- and Latin American-led non-governmental groups to build more economically vibrant and equitable communities in their countries and to amplify their voices and influence driving global development policies and investments.

One of eight in this one-year fellowship program. Through outreach and engagement with local NGOs, researchers, thought leaders and farmers in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, I explored ways that smallholder farmers could boost their livelihoods, and how purposeful and pragmatic policy change and strategic philanthropy could support their success.