RioVida Africa

Trestle Group Foundation

Partnership Program Goals, Objectives and Key Components

Empower women entrepreneurs in developing economies by removing barriers and providing direct support to help them overcome challenges that limit their growth and opportunities.

• Match qualified business professionals in developed countries with selected women entrepreneurs from developing economies for coaching and support.
• Fulfill an unmet need by providing the critical “human capital” support required to transform budding enterprises into successful businesses.
• Through coaching and mentoring, identify and address the core challenges that limit the woman entrepreneur’s ability to effectively grow her business opportunities.
• Construct collaborative support teams to provide guidance, develop strategies and deliver customized support to address the women entrepreneur’s needs.
• Build entrepreneurial partnerships, enriching cross cultural learning experiences and life-long relationships across the world.
• Develop role models and mentors for other aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Provoke change by supporting emerging entrepreneurs – a driving force for both economic and social change in developing economies.
• Create sustainable opportunities, measurable results and replicable business models for future women entrepreneurs.
• Deliver success that extends beyond the individual entrepreneurs by positively impacting the local community and country, as well as the organizations and individuals who participate in the program.

Ralph Schonenbach, Switzerland

Ralph Schonenbach is the CEO of Trestle Group and on the Board of Trestle Group Foundation. He has held senior positions with the firms Andersen and Ernst & Young. Over the span of his career, he has established several successful consulting practices with a primary focus in the financial services industry and has advised high-level executives around the world on how to transform the way they manage and deliver services, as well as how to tackle the pressures brought about by resource constraints. As he was initially building his company he was struggling a bit financially. He seemed to be busier and busier but the earnings didn't quite keep pace with his efforts. When speaking with a business consultant introduced to him by a mutual friend - he realized that in fact the reason for that was simply that he kept getting involved in wishing the best for the people he encountered. He wanted to help them and purchased computer equipment, bought them training materials, and essentially lifted them one by one out of poverty by giving them not only hope. He gave them hands on help. The consultant suggested that he "admit" to himself that in fact he was both a great business man and a wonderful philanthropist. She suggested that he start a non-profit. Ralph Schonenbach brought in Dana Smith - a truly committed, well-trained and wonderful man to run the foundation. Within in only four short years they turned it into an international powerhouse that creates - win, win, win, win situation. By bringing together corporations, causes and the media for mutual benefit - Ralph and Dana Smith brought the concept that it pays to be nice to fruition. Regardliess of the size of your company - by joining forces - internationally and locally - every participant wins.

Through Trestle Group Foundation, he is passionately involved with providing support to both women and emerging entrepreneurs in developing countries.

Ralph Schonenbach frequently speaks at conferences and has authored a variety of publications. Ralph Schonenbach earned a degree in Business Management from Goucher College.

 

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