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Benjamin Lambert

American, 30, MBA and MPA from Harvard, taking summer to do start-up work before starting at Samsung, former Peace Corps Mali.

Headline: Entrepreneur
Work status: Employed Full-Time
Skills: Business
Next step: I am spending the summer working full time for a company that uses an innovative business model to supply power to low-income Africans.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Interested in: Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding team mates, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Raising money, Recruiting for my startup
Schools: Harvard Business School, New York University

FEATURED STARTUP

EGG-energy

EGG-energy EGG-energy

EGG-energy links low-income consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa to power producers by setting up a network of “charge & swap” service stations where we swap empty batteries for fully charged ones.

  • Startup type: Competition Entry
  • Status: Active
  • Stage: Prototyping

FULL BIO

I have just completed my MBA and MPA studies at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School. I have extensive experience in international development, project management, and investment, with a focus on western and southern Africa. My work experience includes two years service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, one year managing development projects throughout Africa, and an internship at a private equity fund that invests in microfinance in Africa.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Employer: Big Cypress National Preserve, Big Cypress, Florida
Position: Business Consultant
Time period: June 2008 - August 2008
Description: Developed a business plan for one of the National Park Service’s largest units, with an annual budget of over $11m.
• Collaborated with Preserve staff at all levels to develop a comprehensive series of recommendations to improve Preserve performance in the areas of conservation, visitor satisfaction, and efficiency.
• Conducted analysis of the Preserve’s complex and fragmented financial history. Created financial projections that will allow the Preserve to better plan future projects and activities.

Employer: Africap Microfinance Fund Johannesburg, South Africa
Position: Summer Associate
Time period: June 2007 - August 2007
Description: Conducted research and analysis for one of Africa’s leading private equity funds. Analyzed potential investments and developed fund strategy.
• Developed investment reports for fund partners.
• Used statistical analysis tools to identify countries for further investment by the fund. Corresponded with leading academics, and pioneered industry use of new statistical findings.
• Worked with portfolio company – the leading African cell-phone banker – resulting in development of new credit and insurance products.

Employer: Chemonics International, Africa Division, Washington, DC
Position: Senior Associate
Time period: January 2006 - December 2006
Description: Continued management duties while serving as a Division-wide resource for project finance and budgeting issues, as well as taking leadership positions in multiple Division initiatives.
• First member of cohort promoted to Senior Associate.
• Lead role in developing a restructuring plan for the Africa Division to improve workflow and financial performance.

Employer: Chemonics International, Africa Division, Washington, DC
Position: Associate
Time period: January 2005 - December 2005
Description: Managed all aspects of various foreign aid projects, including project finance, technical performance, personnel performance, contract compliance, and data management.
• Took on a variety of roles in different project teams – developed ability to quickly integrate into a new project team, and to thrive in a team setting.
• Constructed detailed financial plan for a $1.7m project proposal, resulting in first ever Chemonics contract with the Millenium Challenge Corporation.

Employer: Peace Corps Mali, Sombo, Mali
Position: Agricultural Specialist
Time period: January 2003 - December 2005
Description: Developed and implemented strategies to improve agricultural output in remote Malian village (no electricity or running water). Founded and headed village savings and lending institution.

EDUCATION

University: Harvard Business School
Time period: 2006 - 2009
Degree: MBA

University: New York University
Time period: 1997 - 2000
Degree: Philosophy, BA

INFORMATION

Hobbies: Completed one-month St. James Pilgrimage across Spain on foot. Biked across Guinea. Spent two months traveling overland across Nigeria. Enjoy basketball and music composition.

Benjamin's Startups (2)

View all
  • EggTech

    EggTech is an energy services company that provides complete solutions for electricity generation, storage, and basic appliances in sub-Saharan Africa, beginning with Tanzania.

  • EGG-energy

    EGG-energy links low-income consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa to power producers by setting up a network of “charge & swap” service stations where we swap empty batteries for fully charged ones.