Erin Fischer

2015 - 2016

Alumni

Legatum Fellow

From:

United States of America

Sector:

Professional Services

Location:

Kenya

Degree:

MBA, Sloan School of Management

Erin’s venture is an Executive Training Program (ETP) that develops the leadership, critical thinking, cross-cultural communication, and problem solving skills of high potential employees in East Africa. The first pillar of the ETP enhances the skills employees have developed in their current positions; the second pillar coaches employers and employees to collaborate in setting goals and measuring success. With an emphasis on identifying key skills for success in organizational leadership positions, companies can promote local talent and catalyze local employment markets.

While working in Uganda, Erin observed that companies and non-profit organizations find it challenging to fill upper level management positions with local talent. Consequently, organizations hire foreigners who are in the country for a short time and experience high turnover. By preparing high potential local employees for senior leadership roles, the ETP creates growth opportunities for local staff who are committed to the sustainable long-term development of their communities and reduces turnover costs.

Erin’s foremost interest is international development. She studied abroad in South America and Africa. Most recently, she worked as the Operations Director for a non-profit in Uganda. She successfully restructured the operations department to cut expenses by over 50% and built an effective senior management team through recruitment and capacity building. She also has experience in product development, logistics, and supply chain management.

Erin holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Colorado. She is an MBA candidate at the Sloan School of Management.