Brendan Baker
Current MBA, Oxford, Metals and Materials Engineering graduate from University of British Columbia, MPhil (Engineering for Sustainable Development), Cambridge University.
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Website: | http://www.thefirstdrop.ca |
| Skills: | Engineering |
| Location: | Vancouver, Canada |
| Interested in: | Helping friends, Meeting new people, Professional opportunities |
| Tags: | 3bucksforbrendan.com, global citizenship, social entrepreneur |
| Schools: | University of British Columbia, University of Cambridge |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | www.thefirstdrop.ca |
| Position: | Co-Founder, Editor-in-Chief |
| Time period: | January 2008 - Present |
| Description: | Description: Thefirstdrop.ca (launching Fall/Winter, 2008) is an online magazine which
aims to instigate intelligent, passionate and accountable discussion among Canada’s emerging leaders. • Establishing vision and direction of online start-up • Recruiting key people to contribute to creation and content • Fostering a culture of passionate and respectful debate through clear messaging and careful design of website functionality |
| Employer: | 3 Bucks for Brendan (www.3bucksforbrendan.com) |
| Position: | Work experience |
| Time period: | January 2008 - Present |
| Description: | Description: After being admitted to Oxford’s MBA program (focusing in social
entrepreneurship), I launched a campaign to fund it by seeking $3 from 30,000 people. • Raised over $11,000, now to be donated to Engineers Without Borders and MSF • Inspired many people by communicating a unique concept and clear vision • Captured the attention of media, including BBC radio, CBC radio, The National Post, Maclean’s and the Huffington Post (cumulatively seen/heard by millions of people) |
| Employer: | EnterpriseWorks Worldwide (Senegal) |
| Position: | Appropriate Technology Consultant |
| Time period: | November 2006 - December 2006 |
| Description: | • Developed innovative, cost effective and locally-available solutions to design challenges in portable rice processing technology
• Evaluated technical and cultural feasibility through demonstrations in local villages • Managed project to achieve deliverables, working with local staff and stakeholders |
| Employer: | Engineers Without Borders Canada |
| Position: | Director, Board of Directors |
| Time period: | January 2006 - December 2008 |
| Description: | • Contributed to vision and strategy of Canada’s fastest-growing development organization
• Served as Secretary of the Board, Member of the HR Committee and Ad-Hoc Committee on Elected Members |
| Employer: | Halsall Associates Ltd (Canada) |
| Position: | Project Engineer |
| Time period: | January 2005 - December 2007 |
| Description: | • Professionally and effectively represented an industry leader through written and verbal
communication with key clients and contractors • Gained experience in budgeting, building systems and contractor/client relationships • Contributed to many concurrent projects in a high-performance environment |
| Employer: | Vancouver Professional Chapter, EWB |
| Position: | Founding Member |
| Time period: | January 2004 - December 2007 |
| Description: | • Established goals, mission, and vision of a new professional chapter
• Recruited and guided key people to contribute and help chapter grow |
| Employer: | Various organizations and firms in British Columbia and Northern Canada |
| Position: | Public Speaker and Fundraiser |
| Time period: | January 2004 - December 2007 |
| Description: | • Delivered sessions on technology in development to over 300 professional engineers in
various organizations and firms in British Columbia and Northern Canada • Raised $55,000 for EWB in long-term funding arrangements with leading companies |
| Employer: | Engineers Without Borders |
| Position: | Director of Communications, 2005 National Conference Organizing Committee |
| Time period: | January 2004 - December 2005 |
| Description: | • Developed and executed ideas for content and logistics for 300+ person conference
• Coordinated pre-registration, registration and information table at run time |
| Employer: | Engineers Without Borders Canada / EnterpriseWorks (Senegal) |
| Position: | Field Manager / Overseas Intern |
| Time period: | January 2004 - December 2004 |
| Description: | • Coordinated team to implement a potable water project
• Supported emerging small enterprises and project teams by developing and carefully documenting new technologies • Strengthened communication and training techniques in intercultural situations |
EDUCATION
| University: | University of Cambridge |
| Time period: | 2007 - 2008 |
| Degree: | Engineering For Sustainable Development, MPhil |
| University: | University of British Columbia |
| Time period: | 1998 - 2004 |
| Degree: | Metals and Materials Engineering, Bachelors in Applied Science |
PUBLICATIONS
| Articles: | Featured in
• Maclean’s Magazine, The National Post, BBC Oxford Radio, CBC Radio ‘On The Coast’, Vancouver Metro, Cherwell (Oxford) July-August 2008 re: 3BucksforBrendan.com campaign • Province Newspaper, June 2006 and February 2007 re: UN Photography Award and visit to Senegal Publications • ‘Shades of Green: The Current State of Environmentalism in Product Design’ (Cambridge Thesis) • ‘The Audacity of 3 Bucks’, Huffington Post, www.huffingtonpost.com • Three-part series, ‘Things Other’, Journal Of Materials, V56, N 7-9, TMS Society |
INFORMATION
| Sports: | • Active in sports, including mountain biking, snowboarding, surfing and hiking |
| Hobbies: | • Founded and coach an ultimate team repeatedly recognized with awards for high spirit
• Photographer, with published/showcased work • International experience includes work, study or travel in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and across Canada |
| Awards: | • Cambridge Trusts Scholarship, Cambridge University ($8000)
• High Owen Memorial Award, Jesus College, Cambridge ($1000, declined) • Expose Urban Solutions Photography Competition ($2,500) |
Brendan 's Contacts (8)
View all-
Scott Kelly
Mechanical Engineering graduate with Master of Civil Engineering from The University of Auckland, and MPhil from University of Cambridge. Last worked as Building Services Engineer at Maunsell Consultants.
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Brandon Trew
MBA from University of Oxford (2010), Bsc from University of Cape Town (2004), Director and Founder at Selador Capital (2008), Strategic Executive at Craft-ed (UK) Limited (2009).
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Dave Curran
BSc in Business Information Systems from University College Cork (2003), MBA from University of Oxford (2010), Commercial Risk Analyst at Bioverda (06-08), Corporate Finance Analyst, NTR Corporate HQ at NTR plc (06-09).