EcoVentures International

Margie Brand

Executive Director & Initiator Margie Brand is Founder and Executive Director of EcoVentures International, a DC-based non-profit organization focused on exploring the relationship between Microenterprise Development, Natural Resource Management and the Environment, through research initiatives and program delivery internationally.  With over 12 years of experience in the field of microenterprise development, she has supported the integration of effective practice into microenterprise and microfinance training and program strategies.  Margie is a highly experienced trainer and curricula developer, and has, as part of a team and independently, developed training curricula now used in over 45 countries around the world and translated into over 15 languages.  Margie has developed several training curricula on Environmental Microenterprise, from the first Sustainable Enterprise for Artisans Module for microenterprise artisans through the Crafts Center, through to the Sustainable Business Ventures curriculum developed for EcoVentures International. Margie also consults as a Senior Technical Training, Curriculum Design; Knowledge Management Specialist for several USAID Microenterprise projects, through firms including QED Group LLC, IBM Global, The SEEP Network, and the Academy for Educational Development.  She has also (and in some cases continues to) work with Save the Children US, Making Cents International (co-founder), Triple Trust Organization, South African Institute of Entrepreneurship, Azerbaijan MicroFinance Association, Banyan Global, MicroFinance Center in Poland, Star of Hope International, Hope International, and Anatolian Artisans.  Margie has managed many high-level collaborative, participative processes and facilitated multi-stakeholder strategic planning workshops.  Born and raised in South Africa, her regional experience spans across Africa, Central & Latin America, North America, Central and South East Asia, and Eastern Europe.