What people are saying

Elaine’s work is legend in Mali!

- Lisa Nichols, Abt Associates

Mid-way through our Moroccan project Elaine came in as Deputy COP with her vast technical knowledge, strong leadership and management skills and turned the project around to achieve complex results under very tight deadlines and limited resources.

- Laura Busch, Manager/Case Leader (former), Morocco Artisan Promotion Project, CARANA Corp.

Working with Elaine is simply an inspiring experience. Her positivity, creativity, generosity of spirit and great wisdom have played a significant role in establishing the Trade+Impact organization.

-Kathleen Holland, Executive Director Trade+Impact Association

Elaine Bellezza has transformed the way many people think about and work on business development in emerging economies. She has an invaluable combination of broad and deep knowledge, experience and understanding of how international business works - from the grassroots level to the showrooms of the world's most successful brands. Her work is fabulous!

- Joe Lamport, Director Strategic Communications, Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub

Elaine is one of the most creative and entrepreneurial people with whom I have had the pleasure of working. Her talent combined with her energy and sense for what works in a commercial environment is unmatched.

- Nate Van Dusen, Vice President for Africa (former) CARANA Corp

Elaine was the perfect choice for the PEP Zambia crafts initiative. Her professional advice and judgment has proven to be spot on, and her dedication and hard work went beyond anything we could ask for. I am confident that in years to come people will look back at Elaine's work as a pivotal moment in the development of the Zambian crafts sector.

- James Blewett, PEPZ Team Leader

BGC has been an incredible support for my company, World Peaces. Elaine's keen eye, understanding of the challenges facing artisans, and her knowledge of the international marketplace is unparralled. There are few people who know the sector in Africa as well as she.

- Connie de Jong, Owner, World Peaces

Elaine's professionalism and dedication instilled a new vision for Lesotho’s creative industry while bringing tangible results. For the first time artisans are experiencing actual growth and access to international markets. It has been very exciting to witness.

- Thabo Leanya, Acting Director of Culture, Lesotho Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture (MTEC)

My first trip to Africa was to Mali with Elaine. She has an impressive network throughout West Africa, she thoroughly knows textiles and the entire crafts industry. I'm sure that the strength of the relationships with my current producers is a result of her support and assistance.

- Harper Poe, Owner, Proud Mary

Elaine’s passion for this work, her high level of professionalism and her vast experience and knowledge base of the handicraft value-chain has been inspiring for myself and our team of experts.

- Silvia Schiavon, Project Manager PBLH

Hundreds of artisans across Mali have gained their livelihoods for the past decade through Elaine's early work. Her impact is still felt today.

- Fatime Bouaré, GM, Mali Chic