Irina Mitchell Email & Phone Number

Rockville, Maryland

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Lead business development and program implementation efforts for this non-profit organization focused on mobilizing private capital in emerging markets. Identify and pursue funding opportunities for programs focused on building local investment capacity in support of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the emerging and frontier economies, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Lead program design and implementation processes including: needs assessment; program planning, budgeting and resourcing; partner engagement; performance planning, monitoring and evaluation; events planning and execution; internal and external reporting.

Manage Technology Entrepreneurship Development Program assisting scientists, engineers, university students and faculty in Eurasia and other emerging markets in their pursuits to build and scale companies, secure funding, develop innovative products and take them to market. Create and implement multi-faceted programs that incorporate online and onsite training, remote and face-to-face mentoring, webinars, onsite intensive bootcamps and public forums. Develop and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders that include local governments; academic and research institutions; technology accelerators and business incubators; economic-development and multilateral organizations; synergistic NGOs, trade associations, technology companies, early-stage and impact investors. Conduct business pitch competitions, solicit and evaluate proposals, manage grants and contracts. Continuously innovate to introduce new program formats and tools to enhance efficiency and maximize program impact. Lead multiple teams and manage three direct reports. Passionate about utilizing science, technology and innovation to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Facilitated U.S. exports by assisting U.S. companies (including SMEs) in identifying market opportunities, forging relationships with potential customers and/or business partners, devising market access strategies and figuring out complex export/import logistics. In addition to providing export counseling and assistance, conducted domestic and international outreach campaigns, organized international trade focused workshops, seminars and networking events. Produced industry and market analysis reports published and disseminated through various publications of the U.S. Department of Commerce, trade associations and economic development agencies. Collaborated with relevant government agencies, multilateral institutions, economic development organizations, trade association, NGOs, consultants and business experts from the U.S. and other countries.

Greater Chicago Area

A technology startup utilizing innovative direct-to-consumer-export business model with cross-cultural management team and U.S. and Japanese Fortune 500 corporate partnerships. - Developed and managed business infrastructure to include product sourcing, order fulfillment, online merchandising, inventory management, customer service and other functions.- Secured and managed relationships with key third-party service providers and vendors.- Supervised customer-service/call center operations outsourced to a Japanese company. Contributed to the development of customer-service policies and procedures and manuals for the call center operators.- Managed domestic order fulfillment and international direct-to-consumer shipping. Responsible for customs import/export issues and sources import tariff information for several markets (Japan, UK, Russia, and others).

Arlington, Virginia

Contrack International was established as a construction and Project Management company in 1985. In 1998, Orascom Construction of Egypt acquired 45% ownership stake and expanded the company’s operational footprint to Qatar, Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2013 the company acquired Watts Construction and in 2015 changed its name to Contrack Watts.- Coordinated execution of Russia-based U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project (Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility in Moscow). - Procured equipment/materials (product sourcing, RFQ solicitation, contract negotiation, vendor relations, and international shipping and customs issues).- Coordinated multiple simultaneously occurring USAID projects in Egypt, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern countries.- Organized site visits to multiple U.S cities for the delegation from the Russian client organization.

Little Rock, Arkansas -- Moscow, Russia