MARINE FRANCOIS
Paris
Summary
Driven and highly motivated strategic thinker, passionate about international relations, diplomacy, and environmental conservation, with 17 years of experience in international business development and trade and investment promotion. Proven success in exceeding performance, leading a team, fostering connections with C-level executives and government officials, project and relationship management.
Fluent in English and French. Dual Citizenship France / USA.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Investment and Commercial Specialist / SelectUSA Program Director (Investment)
U.S Embassy Commercial Service
Paris, France
04.2024 - Current
- Facilitates expansion projects for over 100 French companies yearly in the United States
- Spearheads efforts to engage and recruit official French delegations to enhance participation in SelectUSA investment summits
- Orchestrates multi-city investment roadshows across France, engaging over 100 companies per location and representatives from +15 U.S. states.
- Organize State and Cities promotion in France through dedicated events
- Oversees planning and execution of official visits for SelectUSA executive director and other U.S. government officials . Manages logistics and stakeholder communications to ensure seamless interactions. Drove initiatives to elevate the profile of the organization during visits.
- Managed itinerary and scheduling for ambassador's attendance at SelectUSA Investment Summits, ensuring seamless participation.
- Led and coordinated activities of 3 trade specialists and 2 commercial assistants to achieve departmental objectives.
- Directed outreach initiatives involving six trade specialists and five American consulates in France to enhance foreign direct investment attraction efforts.
- Trade Group Director for Energy, Consumer Goods, Lifestyle, Sports, Tourism, Agribusiness, Creative & Media, Franchise, Education, Services, Pet products and Healthcare
- Coordinated trade missions and networking events, promoting partnerships between U.S. enterprises and French stakeholders.
Managing Director – Lifestyle/Art De Vivre Department
Business France North America
New York, NY
11.2017 - 04.2024
- Facilitated French startups and SMEs in executing North American expansion strategies.
- Managed and developed the activity of the Lifestyle Department (fashion, interior design, cosmetics, sports, tourism, culture etc.) with a team of 10 trade advisors and 2 interns across 5 offices in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- Designed and implemented a strategic growth plan for the Lifestyle Department.
- Assisted in identifying business opportunities within lifestyle sector. Supported collaboration with Business France headquarters in Paris to facilitate launch of accelerators, trade, and promotional events in US and Canada.
- Facilitated sourcing of French products and technology for North American businesses.
- Established and maintained partnerships with binational chambers of commerce and relevant U.S. and French governmental organizations.
Director of Consulting Services
Altios International
New York, NY
09.2015 - 11.2017
- Managed the profitability and growth of the Consulting Services Department.
- Trained and supervised a team of 8 Project Managers and manage client relationship.
- Ensured the completion and success of the following missions: business strategic studies and market research to evaluate market potential, identify obstacles and distribution channels for foreign companies entering and growing in the US market; prospection missions, recruitment of key executives; identification of targets for acquisition projects, brownfield and greenfield investment projects, FDI attraction missions, etc.
- Supported foreign sales team efforts to convince clients to sign on consulting missions.
- Attended industry events, engage in business networking to locate and acquire new US clients and seek out referrals.
Manager of Government Partnerships
ALTIOS INTERNATIONAL
New York, NY
09.2014 - 09.2015
- Responsible for strategic partnerships on trade and investment services with UK Department for International Trade and Invest Northern Ireland.
- In charge of creating and running a webinar series on “Doing Business in the US” as well as drafting subsectors and practical guides aimed at UK new-to-market companies.
- Hired a dedicated team of 3 people as well as specific processes and report templates.
- Supervised market validation and partner search projects.
Manager of Trade Support Activities
Credit Industriel et Commercial - CIC Bank
New York, NY
01.2012 - 06.2014
- Managed and supervised a team dedicated to supporting CIC's small and mid-size enterprise clients (SMEs).
- Advised on, negotiated and implemented the best solutions to do business in the US: incorporation, distribution, Importation, Joint Venture and Partnership.
- Promoted CIC's international consulting services as well as trade & export finance solutions through networking events and conferences in France and in the US.
- Maintained and developed relationships with US banks, allowing for management of corporate referrals and international cash management solutions.
International Business Development Manager
Credit Industriel et Commercial - CIC Bank
New York, NY
11.2009 - 12.2011
- Counseled French exporters through fee-based consulting projects such as personalized commercial partner searches, investment strategy analysis, and custom prospecting missions.
- Designed comprehensive growth strategies to enhance international development for small and mid-sized enterprises.
- Engaged in trade shows to collect and report on market trends while fostering relationships with key importers and distributors.
International Trade Advisor
ALTIOS INTERNATIONAL
Lyon, France
09.2008 - 05.2009
- Generated business opportunities for ALTIOS Group worldwide, a consulting firm expert in international trade and development with a presence in 80 countries.
- Identified exporting businesses, qualified their needs and provided them with adequate services such as market entry services, hosting solutions, canvassing, sourcing, implementing and managing local subsidiaries, staffing and coaching.
- Elaborated agreement contracts and followed up with prospects.
Sales and Marketing Associate
Labomode Fashop
Strasbourg, France
09.2006 - 12.2006
- Updated legal and financial information on fashion stores in France and provided clients with data regarding retailing solutions.
- Proven track record of successfully meeting sales quotas over the phone
French Teacher's Assistant
Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo, Michigan
09.2005 - 06.2006
- Taught beginning and intermediate French levels during labs and evaluated students.
- Organized cultural events such as French tables and movie projections.
- Certificate in Teaching French as a Foreign Language.
Education
Master's degree - International Business Management
French American Center – Normandy School of Management
Caen, France05-2009
Bachelor of Science - Political Studies
INSTITUT D'ETUDES POLITIQUES - SCIENCES PO Strasbourg
Strasbourg,, France 06-2007
Kauffman FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program - Entrepreneurship
The City College of New York (CUNY)
New York, NY04-2014
Skills
- Commercial Diplomacy
- Management and Leadership
- Foreign Direct Investment Attraction
- Market Intelligence
- Teamwork and Adaptability
- Interpersonal Skills
LANGUAGES
French
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Croatian
Intermediate (B1)
Spanish
Elementary (A2)
German
Intermediate (B1)
Interests
Member of National Parks and Recreation Association
Volunteer for Croatian Heritage Foundation renewing abandoned areas of Croatian natural heritage and cultural historical regions
Sports: volleyball, judo, tennis, badminton, roller, hiking,
Arts: theatre workshop, dulcimer
General passion for travels and cultural competence
HONORS
Military Reserve Duty Member at GENDARMERIE NATIONALE (French Military Reserve Forces) France, 2003-2013
French Medal of National Defense and Medal of Voluntary Military Service
Timeline
Senior Investment and Commercial Specialist / SelectUSA Program Director (Investment)
U.S Embassy Commercial Service
04.2024 - Current
Managing Director – Lifestyle/Art De Vivre Department
Business France North America
11.2017 - 04.2024
Director of Consulting Services
Altios International
09.2015 - 11.2017
Manager of Government Partnerships
ALTIOS INTERNATIONAL
09.2014 - 09.2015
Manager of Trade Support Activities
Credit Industriel et Commercial - CIC Bank
01.2012 - 06.2014
International Business Development Manager
Credit Industriel et Commercial - CIC Bank
11.2009 - 12.2011
International Trade Advisor
ALTIOS INTERNATIONAL
09.2008 - 05.2009
Sales and Marketing Associate
Labomode Fashop
09.2006 - 12.2006
French Teacher's Assistant
Kalamazoo College
09.2005 - 06.2006
Master's degree - International Business Management
French American Center – Normandy School of Management
Bachelor of Science - Political Studies
INSTITUT D'ETUDES POLITIQUES - SCIENCES PO Strasbourg
Kauffman FastTrac Entrepreneurship Program - Entrepreneurship
The City College of New York (CUNY)