Personal Information
Omar develops financially sound business opportunities with a social conscious in under-serviced, and overlooked markets. He deploys rigorous business thinking, alongside empirical measurements of Blended Value (BV), and Social Return on Investment (SROI). Omar has a MBA and BSC in computing science, and has also been the president, founder, and a director of several non-profit organizations.
He is a Canadian, and a native English speaker with formal training in French, Swahili, & Urdu/Hindi.
Education
MBA with Specialization in Technology Commercialization 2002–2004
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
• Specialized in Technology Commercialization, the process of taking ideas from infancy to market; consisting of technology assessment, business evaluation, new business creation, and support
• Merged business skills with social responsibility by applying education in the non-profit sector
B.Sc. Computing Science with Minor in Mathematical Science 1996-2002
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
• Developed excellent high level reasoning skills in Canada’s 2nd highest ranked comp sci program
• Conducted in-depth work on MVC, & OO programming along with Java, C, and c++. Worked extensively with Oracle SQL & UML. Riveted by human interface design, and databases
Work Experience
Director of Operations 2008–Present
Social Enterprise Fund
Problem: How do you build a sustainable $11 million fund that tracks social returns, and encourages conservative non-profits to embrace new social enterprise strategies?
• Actively Developed Clients
Stewarded medium to large sized organizations on enterprise development, from idea generation, to financing, to implementation, and growth Developed, deployed, and marketed a highly praised 8hr series on social enterprise for diverse clients
• Acted as an Investment Manager
Assessed business and investing risk using Social Return on Investment (SROI) and Blended Value (BV) techniques alongside traditional financial analysis and auditing techniques
• Built the Sector
Created partnerships focused on green innovation, alternative financing, and social measurement Built strong partnerships with government, academia, non-profits, and private enterprise
• Consistently delivered results significantly under budget, and above expectations
Lecturer on CSR 2008
University of Alberta
Problem: How do meaningfully communicate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to MBAs?
• Inspire Don’t Lecture
Taught CSR as a way of strengthening business and adding value; incorporated social innovation, entrepreneurship, and quantifiable social measurement techniques Focused on constructive engagement rather than moral browbeating
Director of Innovation 2007–2008
MBAs Without Borders
Problem: How do you extend the reach of a new NGO?
• Leveraged Emerging Technologies to Promote and Add Value
Helped take organization from three volunteers to one with representatives in 25 countries Built online presence, expanded market outreach, collaboration, and added value for volunteers, funders, and the public through practical uses of web technologies
Project Coordinator 2006–2007
Vestergaard-Frandsen Nigeria
Problem: How do you combat malaria and establish a multi-national in a highly challenging market?
• Innovative Adult Education and Brand Building
Pitched, implemented, and maintained a first of its kind marketing/adult education strategy to combat malaria and sell anti-malaria bednets by securing lucrative product placement positions in 20+ high profile “Nollywood” films (campaign was recognized by CNN, Global TV, and others) Created media guidelines for company’s flagship product, and established strategic partnerships in a foreign environment
• Designed a Better Product
Recognized “poor” design was an overlooked market opportunity that was preventing broader product adoption and thereafter evaluated, commissioned, and tested alternative designs throughout the country in 60+ focus groups Analyzed market research, evaluated production costs, and completed financial forecasts
• Lead Consumer Research, Advertising, and Performed Ordinary Tasks with Enthusiasm
Globally coordinated market research projects over four continents and six time zones Led initial POS promotions, radio/TV/print campaigns for flagship product Managed technology and office policy, built internal infrastructure
• Trained successor, and ensured continuity of projects
Business Consultant/ IT Specialist 2004–2005
Tanzania Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture/ VSO/ Industry Canada
Problem: How do you build IT and business systems in underdeveloped areas using limited resources?
• Knowledge Exchange: Meet Needs, Don’t Make Them
Surpassed major infrastructure hurdles to fulfill program mandate by working with all stakeholders to create hands-on consulting solutions, education programs, and manage project coordination Created a support network for 30+ NGOS, private enterprises, and MNCS Developed appropriate solutions for people of different cultures, languages, and means
• Strategic planning
Developed strategic plan for technology with GTZ (German Development) for Ligula hospital; plan was implemented wholesale.
• Follow Up
Continued involvement through fundraising, youth mobilization, and awareness building in Canada
UNIX Programmer Analyst 1997–2002
University of Alberta: Unix Technical Response
Problem: How do you address the high-end needs of technically diverse research staff and academics?
• Speak the Language and Instigate Cross-Fertilization
Developed jargon free communication strategy for conveying high-level computing concepts Instigated fruitful collaborations between anthropology and computing departments Published frequently on technology issues in campus magazine