BGC
VISION
EXPERTISE
CREATIVITY
DRIVE
Our Core Team
Elaine Bellezza
BGC Executive Director
Elaine is a leader in the global handicrafts movement and a champion for rural artisans. Over 30 years of experience empowering artisans, building entrepreneurship, linking artisans with international markets, creating employment, and fostering leadership across creative communities.
She has orchestrated artisan pavilions at over 30 global trade shows, designed more than 300 product collections, developed and led more than 100 artisan training workshops, and authored three Handicraft Export Guides, leading to millions of dollars in increased income for rural artisans.
elaine@theBGCgroup.com
Henry Vega, PhD
Food Systems & Trade Expert
Dr. Henry Vega is a trade and agri-food systems specialist with experience working across agricultural supply chains, from primary production to market access and product development. He has collaborated with small and medium farmers and ranchers, cooperatives, and export boards across the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
His background spans bulk commodities such as corn, coffee, and cacao, as well as high-value agricultural and food products including specialty crops, cut flowers, shrimp, and red meats. He has worked on practical approaches to incorporate environmental considerations into export strategy development.
henry@theBGCgroup.com
Kevin McCarthy
GESI and SME Development Expert
Kevin has broad-based expertise in SME entrepreneurship, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI), Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), and product development, including textiles, home décor, and eco-friendly recycled products. She has a degree in Textiles & Merchandising and an MBA, bridging creative insight and strong business acumen.
She integrates inclusive practices across rural and urban initiatives and applies robust MEL systems to ensure measurable and meaningful impact. Kevin’s approach uniquely bridges home décor and agriculture.
kevin@theBGCgroup.com
Markets & Trade
We help handicraft producers connect with strong, reliable markets by combining deep sector knowledge with hands‑on trade experience. Our team understands every step of the value chain—from raw materials and design support to pricing, export logistics, and long‑term buyer relationships.
We link artisans to international buyers through trade missions, buyer trips, participation in global trade shows and digital marketing platforms. Producers are connected with mutually qualified buyers, so they can grow sustainably, increasing their production capacity over time and maintaining product quality.
For four decades BGC has worked with global artisans from Africa, South Asia to South America and the Caribbean. We conduct sector assessments, develop program strategies, design training and coaching programs, and comprehensive market linkage activities.
We introduce artisans to design concepts using local materials and techniques that they can apply to participate fully in the creative process. Key to their market success is knowing how to generate profit while still meeting stringent global pricing and shipping constraints. Our design process is completely integrated in costing and pricing as well as trends.
Handicrafts generate year-round income, and strengthens household stability, and reduces economic vulnerability. Diversified income streams are key to rural resilience.
BGC is committed to enhancing rural programs with a handicraft component to strengthen rural economies and support local economies. Many programs promote specialization that often disrupts the fragile economic balance and accelerates migration. BGC's approach enables farmers to travel less to seek employment and to reinvest in the local community and agricultural production.
Expertise
Equity & Inclusion
BGC has worked with communities across Africa, Asia, and the Americas for decades, building a practical understanding of how rural households sustain livelihoods. Both women and men play essential roles, access to resources and opportunities is often uneven.
We design programs that expand participation and economic opportunity, particularly for women, marginalized populations, and persons with disabilities. Strengthening capabilities across underserved groups contributes directly to more stable incomes, stronger households, and more resilient communities.
Partner with us...
BGC can help you integrate agriculture with diversified livelihood systems. Your projects can have stronger incomes, resilience, and compounding impact.
BGC has the winning combination of expert capabilities in handicrafts, agriculture, and GESI.