An expert in creating paths to doing business
in emerging markets

Lauri Elliott is a strategist with over 25 years of business experience, specializing in global business, innovation, technology, and new ventures and start-ups. As a noted new media broadcaster, author, speaker, and consultant, she helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs bring life and profit to business ideas in tough, turbulent business environments around the globe, with a particular focus on emerging markets, including Africa.

Lauri is the founder of Conceptualee, Inc., under which she created the brands Afribiz™ (Afribiz.net ), GlobalBizconcierge™ (Globalbizconcierge.com), and The Art of Making Business Happen™ (Theartofbiz.net)

As the Director of Afribiz™ Media, Lauri has developed a solid reputation as a journalist, broadcaster, and media personality. She is the primary host of Afribiz.fm™, a regular radio show about doing business and investing in Africa.

Lauri sits on the board of advisers for the:

• Blacks in Government (BIG) African Partnership Secretariat
• Center for Global Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management (CGEEM) at Morgan State University, which focuses on equipping U.S. SMEs to enter international business. In this capacity, she is leading the development of the Emerging Market Information Team (EMIT), designed to provide information and intelligence particularly useful to SMEs.
• Howard University African Business Club

Recent awards and honors include:

• Honored as a social entrepreneur to watch in Ashoka’s ChangemakeHERS campaign for the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day in 2011.
• For her work on behalf of SMEs, she received recognition from the U.S. Congress for connecting U.S. businesses to business in Africa.