Melissa Cook, Cfa Email & Phone Number

Greater New York City Area

Your knowledge source for investing and doing business for Africa--our experience and network help you make smarter decisions. Subscribe to original research at an accessible price. Tap into our corporate advisory services, where we provide connections to our network of over 10,000 names, unbiased advice on strategy, and insight into local market conditions and opportunities. Talk to me about my work as Lead Transaction Advisor for an African rail equipment & services firm @Gear Rail, or my role as Senior Consultant for a consulting firm doing USTDA-funded feasibility studies in the telecommunications, technology, financial services, and logistics sectors.

United States

Member of teams conducting feasibility studies in the telecommunications/technology, financial services, and postal/logistics sectors. Studies generally funded by the U.S. Trade & Development Agency, the World Bank or other international institutions. Work involves deep dive into market and industry conditions, analysis and recommendations regarding client's business model, financial modeling and economic analysis of projects, review of regulatory and other conditions, identification of potential funding sources, recommendations on how the client can best finance their growth, and project implementation plan.

New York City Metropolitan Area

Advising mission-driven biotech company on market entry in Africa for its innovative micronutrient products.

The Bretton Woods Committee is the nonpartisan network of prominent global citizens, which works to demonstrate the value of international economic cooperation and to foster strong, effective Bretton Woods institutions as forces for global well-being.Committee members are leaders at the top of the business, finance, academic, and non-profit sectors, including many industry CEOs, as well as former presidents, cabinet-level officials, and lawmakers who share the belief that international economic cooperation is essential and best served through strong and effective IFIs. Through the Committee, they champion global efforts to spur economic growth, alleviate poverty, and improve financial stability.

United States

Support GEAR in identifying financing options, assessing new market opportunities, overall business development, and working with international agencies engaged in financing rail equipment and projects.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the appointment of 15 private sector leaders to the newly established President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa (PAC-DBIA) on November 5, 2014. PAC-DBIA members – representing small, medium, and large companies from a variety of industry sectors – were selected to advise the President, through the Secretary of Commerce, on strengthening commercial engagement between the United States and Africa.

• Created unique new strategy product. Focused on drivers of growth and return, competitive dynamics, upside and challenges for industrials, consumer and healthcare firms affected by China’s growth. Helped portfolio managers investing in US stocks understand the impact of China and Asia on their investments; became a trusted source for many top investors. • China matters for US companies. Published in-depth research on the outlook for multinationals putting capital to work in China and elsewhere in Asia based on a dozen trips to China. Met US firms and their Chinese competitors, suppliers and distributors. Identified key drivers of growth and risks to local and global position for US firms. • China’s rise affects everything: China’s rapid march up the value chain is changing global competitive dynamics. Which US firms have a sustainable technology advantage? How will China's rising presence affect Africa?

• Managed global research platform of 25 equity analysts in New York, London and Tokyo. Created broker vote, liaison to the Street. Designed and implemented performance measurement and compensation system which improved staff retention, ensured accountability for performance, facilitated recruiting of experienced talent.• Research trips to China, India, Korea, Japan, Eastern Europe, Turkey. Identified themes relevant across developed- and emerging-markets portfolios. Published reports, hosted internal meetings to share information, stimulate discussion amongst investment teams. • Frequent marketing meetings with global consultants and institutional and retail clients for client retention, asset gathering and due diligence.

• Associate Director of Research, 1998-2001: Member of team running a 60-senior analyst, 225-person department. Directed emerging analyst program. Developed 35 junior analysts or industry executives into senior analysts.• Senior Analyst, 1991-1998: Covered U.S. and international broadcasting, cable, entertainment and publishing companies. Top-tier performer based on client and sales polls. International work: IPO due diligence on TV companies in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Canada and Australia; cable TV company in Argentina. International research provided research edge in covering global media and entertainment conglomerates.

Equity research analyst, Building industry.

Equity research analyst, Homebuilding and Real Estate.

Mba, Finance

Ba, History

-- Coursework on post-colonial Africa, Soviet Union -- Language Study Abroad, University of Granada, Spain