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The International Business Development Internship
Leadership Initiatives is working to end extreme poverty in Northern Nigeria through entrepreneurship and innovation. As part of the International Business & Development Program, Leadership Initiatives identifies small business owners who live under $1.90 a day, have little formal business education, and are struggling to provide for their family’s basic needs.
Once business owners have completed training, Leadership Initiatives pairs International Business & Development Interns with a business partner and business mentor. Interns are given the opportunity to help tackle major issues at the grassroots level by working directly with small business owners to support and incubate local entrepreneurs. Students will work with Leadership Initiatives staff over the course of nine months to provide income-generating solutions that focus on food supply, women empowerment, environment and sustainability, personal care, and mobility.
The International Business & Development Internship aims to introduce interns to the complexities and challenges of running a small business and working within community development. Interns will gain an understanding of the unwavering commitment, focus, and determination required to work within this field. From working with interns, local business owners will have new knowledge of entrepreneurial skills they need to create business opportunities that will contribute to socio-economic development and significantly transform their lives.
Our Internship Team
CLICK EACH MEMBER TO LEARN MORE.
Alex Valz
Indian Hill High School
Class of 2025
Alex Valz is a sophomore at Indian Hill High School. He lives with his parents, sister Avery and dog, Max. He is soft-spoken, of high integrity and is always willing to help others.
Alex is a good student and loves to learn. He takes advanced math classes and studies Latin. He is on the JV golf team at school. In his free time, Alex enjoys gaming, golf and swimming.
Alex is excited to be a part of The International Internship Program again this year. He participated in the International Leadership and Business Internship Program last summer and looks forward to having the same great experience. Alex hopes to apply what he learns to his high school endeavors and, possibly, to college and beyond.
Brandon Yang
Indian Hill High School
Class of 2025
Brandon Yang is a rising sophomore at Indian Hill High School. Brandon Yang challenges himself with advanced placement courses.
Brandon Yang enjoys the cello. At school, Brandon Yang has been involved with DECA, becoming a state finalist. Brandon Yang also frequents drawing, getting an honorable mention and gold key in the Scholastic Art and Writing contest.
Brandon Yang is here to experience firsthand many of the scenarios and principles inside DECA using the International Business & Development Internship
Arjun Velayutham
Indian Hill High School
Class of 2025
Arjun Velayutham is a sophomore at Indian Hill High School. He is a dedicated student who is in several AP classes and has completed CCP courses with the University of Cincinnati.
Arjun loves swimming, reading, and spending time with is family. He swims for the Mason Manta Rays and the Indian Hill swim team. He competes in DECA, having represented Indian Hill at ICDC in Atlanta, 2022.
Arjun can't wait to join the Leadership Initiatives program this year. He enjoys applying his skills to solve difficult problems, and hopes to learn and grow with this experience.
Ethan Sargeant
Indian Hill High School
Class of 2025
Ethan Sargeant is a rising Sophomore at Indian Hill Highschool. Ethan is a dedicated honor student who is enrolled in both Advanced Placement and accelerated courses.
Ethan enjoys gaming and chilling with friends. At school Ethan participates in a variety of classes meant to challenge him to become a better student. Also a member of NSHSS
Ethan is excited to be participating in the International Internship Program.
Our Business Partner
David Richard
Business Statistics
He has trained over 20 people and many have established their own businesses.
He dreams he can make a change in the community as a whole.
David Richard
About David
David Richard
Community Impact
David Richard
Our Partnership
Our Approach
FINANCIAL TRACKING
Financially literate entrepreneurs make growth-oriented financial and economic decisions for their savings, borrowing, and investments. Our team is working with Isiyaka Sa’ad to create an effective financial tracking system for his business finances, receipts, and daily costs.
OUR ADVERTISING
Our team identified target markets and key demographics to create a customer acquisition plan. We are working with Isiyaka Sa’ad to redesign his brand and create effective marketing campaigns.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS
Steady growth is a critical component of creating self-sustaining communities. Our team is working to identify key areas of opportunity for Isiyaka Sa’ad and design solutions with grant money to improve his business to foster growth.
Our Fundraising
$675 RAISED
$75 NEEDED
$750 GOAL
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced some of the highest growth rates globally over the past 10 years. While this means that people in these nations have become more optimistic about their social and economic future, the region continues to face a myriad of historical problems. In order to continue steady growth and achieve a future of equitable conditions in the region, our International Internship Program team seeks to build stronger communities from the grassroots level through fundraising for community development.
Funds raised are used to implement community-based education programs, pay staff to run the operations on-site, and invest in training for local leaders. Leadership Initiatives uses fundraised money to develop a network of support for actionable change and accountability between our team, the Leadership Initiatives staff, and the community stakeholders we work with.
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