Andrea Zanon
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Empowering leaders & entrepreneurs with strategy, partnerships & cultural intelligence | 20+ yrs international development | andreazanon.tech | Confidence. Culture. Connection.
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Empowering Global Communities to Make Better Decisions for Success and More Impactful Living
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Andrea shared his professional journey, the mission and vision behind Confidente, inspiration behind starting We Empower Cities (WEC) acceleration program, personal role model, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Interview
Saudi Arabia continues to use the ongoing market turmoil to its advantage
Saudi Arabia was one of the fastest growing economies in 2022 breaking the GDP $1 trillion dollars record. According to Saudi’s statistics the Kingdom’s economy rose at 8,7% in 2022, faster than any G7 or G20 countries. Oil and gas activities remained the biggest sector contributing to 33% of GDP, while government services followed at 14.2%. Saudi Aramco, the Kingdom controlled oil company, registered a profit of USD 48.4 billion (up 90% from 2021) for the second quarter of 2022. Bloomberg reported that this was “the biggest quarterly adjusted profit of any listed company.”
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Trader
Fund-Raising for Startups Just Became Tougher. Time For Entrepreneurs to Shift Gear!
With 25 years of entrepreneurship, operations, sustainability and technology experience, Andrea brings a hands-on approach to partnering with investors, corporate boards, management, to create accelerated returns, resilient investment, and market leadership. Andrea specializes in Resilience, Investment Promotion, and Women Entrepreneurship. Andrea was the Risk Management Coordinator for the World Bank in the Middle East for 8 years. Andrea continues to advise International Financial Institutions, and entrepreneurs on clean tech, sustainability, impact investments. Andrea is a Science and Foreign Policy Graduate from Georgetown University and has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and Foreign Languages from Bologna University.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Motivation
New Cracks Show Up In The Global Financial System
New cracks in the global financial systems are showing up across North America and Europe. Since January 2023, several banks have shown extreme financial difficulties starting with Credit Suisse, which was just acquired on March 18th by the other Swiss rival UBS for about US$ 3.6 billion. Credit Suisse had previously refused financial aid from the Saudi royal family, which owns 39% of Credit Suisse through their national Sovereign Wealth Fund PIF. Also, and more concernedly, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank have shut down operations in 2023 and have been rescued by the US regulators.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Motivation
The new world bank president will be from the global south
Having worked at the World Bank for almost 10 years, I understand the importance of selecting a new leader that understands development challenges, and that is both business and politically savvy. These skills are invaluable to the new President to effectively address climate, energy, food, and debt crises.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth
Sustainability Investment Trends and the Role of Green Startup Going Forward
Sustainable business and ESG investment have become the norm since 2020. Large corporations are all now issuing sustainability reports and most global companies are integrating Net-Zero into their business models. In 2022 investment in ESG accelerated across all industries, and according to Bloomberg, sustainability assets under management (AUM) in 2023 reached $38 trillion. Bloomberg anticipates that ESG AUM will reach $50 trillion by 2025. This means that roughly every three dollars invested, one will be invested in sustainability. To further demonstrate the shifting investment trend, it is remarkable to check what Black Rock’s CEO Larry Fink said in 2021 in his investment letter to shareholders “There is no company whose business model won’t be profoundly affected by the transition to a net zero economy…companies not quickly preparing themselves will see their businesses and valuations suffer”. This essentially means that climate risk is becoming as valuable as investment risk and investors are acting accordingly.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Interview
Davos Economic Forum 2023-A year of potential positive shocks
This year, the Russian, Chinese and U.S. Presidents did not come to the Davos annual meeting. This is not surprising given that these three countries are dealing with dramatic crisis and economic re-adjustments at home. Russia has been at war with Ukraine for almost 1 year, the United States is still grappling with an over 6% inflation, and China is dealing with the Covid-19 aftershocks and the reopening of its economy.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Education
Canada regains terrain to position the country as a clean tech and hydrogen front runner
The November 2022 COP27 climate summit seems old news as we enter the end of January 2023. This is primarily because this year’s climate summit, which was hosted by Egypt, did not produce any breakthrough. As previously anticipated the Climate Summit was more about procedural agreements than strategic decisions. However, the Climate summit was a success for Canada as the country brought to Egypt numerous members of both the Canadian public and private sectors with more robust decarbonization commitments. Among the private corporate leaders coming to Egypt we count several representatives from the Royal Bank of Canada, pipeline giant Enbridge Inc., oil majors Cenovus Energy Inc. and Imperial Oil Ltd. Other attendees included representatives from Suncor Energy Inc.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Earth
How To Boost Your Company’s Valuation
It is often difficult to place an adequate a-price on the time, effort and level of effort you you’ve put into building a small business regardless of its size. Assessing the value of your assets and overall value of your company it is a touch task and it is even harder to place an adequate market value after all the years you have spent building your business. This is where you need expert advise to ensure that your business valuation calculations is done independently, objectively while protecting your interest as a founder. Normally valuations are used for mergers, acquisitions, and fund-raising . Having said that, there are key aspect and strategies to help the entrepreneurs not be bullied into a corner by predatory investors. But lest start from the beginning to see how we can help you calculate the economic value of your company.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Motivation
You Can Become 1% Better Every Day!
When you go home at night ask yourself this question: By the end of the day is your workplace better than you find it in the morning because of your work? if the answer is negative for too many days in a row, no matter how much money you make, or how many years you have been in this job, change career. Start fresh and follow your passion and trust your instincts. I heard this question a few years ago during an interview of Sergio Marchionne, (in Italian) the former Italian Canadian CEO of Fiat/Chrysler (the car manufacturer). This question provides a powerful example of leadership, pragmatism, and courage.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Motivation
Saudi Arabia is the front runner to secure the 2030 FIFA World Cup
When most countries were struggling to devise effective responses to the Covid 19 emergency in 2020 and 2021, Saudi Arabia was actively ramping up its business diversification, progressively moving away from its oil and gas-based economy. During the 2020–2021 crisis, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), under the leadership of the Public Investment Fund (with $620 billion under management), has been scooping up international companies battered by Covid. These investments are part of the broader Saudi strategy to ensure that the Kingdom plays a leading role in the future of global business. And just to be clear, this included football and other sports which are key pillars of the Saudi 2030 Vision.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Motivation
Not all sovereign wealth funds are born equal: Let's look at the oil rich gulf countries
Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) have become diversified investment vehicles that invest across equity and fixed income products, but also are active players in private equity and in early-stage tech companies. As we look at the global landscape for SWFs, it is not surprising that of the largest 10 SWF, with a combined $7.6 trillion in assets, 70 percent of these are from oil and gas producers.
By Andrea Zanon3 years ago in Futurism
