aakif ahmad
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Forest Light Capital
experienced executive ● driving revenue developing & executing operation & sale strategy & catalyzing team
talented , multi-dimensional executive proven track record ● operation ● sale leadership ● strategy ● execution ● team ● entrepreneurship strategic thinker known unique combination expertise intersection strategy , execution & people building alignment across organization support achievement business objective . highlight 23 year fast-track career include : ►acquiring small medium sized company generate exceptional return . ► developing & executing strategy post-ipo , turnaround , early stage & international business environment consistently achieve exceed revenue target . ►building , co-leading adeptly managing facet operation successful startup ; startup ha gained industry recognition innovation wa featured new york time 2015 . ►driving revenue catalyzing team generated 4,000+ new client produced $ 100m+ new revenue ; demonstrated exceptional skill b2b sale selling solution c-level executive fortune 500 company , building leading sale organization developing high-performance transactional sale team sell across industry . ►turning around underperforming team organization developing , executing operationalizing strategy ; improving process ; inspiring leading team peak performance ; maximizing revenue-generating opportunity highly competitive market . throughout career demonstrated comfortable taking high risk opportunity uncertain , ambiguous , entrepreneurial environment . recognized success : ► building leading resilient organization operate plan . ► working key leader across organization find internal agreement operationalize strategy accelerate growth . ►creating collaborative culture individual team work effectively across silo achieve goal .
Forest Light Capital
Forest Light Capital is a holding company that acquires small and medium sized businesses in markets that generate exceptional returns. We acquire, run and grow companies that have proven performance, established customers, strong earnings, solid cash flow, minimal debt, and demonstrated resilience during Covid or in economically challenged times. Our philosophy is to work closely with business owners to ensure a smooth acquisition process and transition of ownership with a focus on enabling long-term growth. We have a passion for building teams and running businesses. Our portfolio includes businesses in the following sectors: recruiting, lead generation, commercial cleaning, produce distribution, restaurant and online medical supply distribution.
Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Kordon Companies
Kordon is the umbrella company for two businesses: McLean Intelligent Workforce (MIW) and Zaphyre LLC. These are sister companies that provide staffing, recruiting, business services and management consulting support to clients across the US and internationally. A brief summary of services for each company is below: 

Mclean Intelligent Workforce: Recruiting & Talent: Specialize in assessing, selecting and placing the best talent for important full time roles from IT, software, engineering, cyber security, sales, marketing, finance, supply chain, program management and other positions. Our model enables us to complete searches with higher quality, faster time, and at lower cost. We support clients across the US and internationally. www.mcleaniw.com

Zaphyre LLC: Business services company that works with fast growing small and medium sized businesses in the B2B sector to provide prospecting, lead generation, sales scheduling support, customer service, inbound lead management, cross-sell execution, online marketing support, and collections and billing services. www.zaphyrpro.com
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
Managing Director
Akazia LLC Business Consulting & Sales Execution
We work with growth stage B2B businesses to ACCELERATE SALES and reach critical REVENUE milestones. Our approach is hands-on, execution support to build prospect PIPELINES, increase prospect CONVERSION, improve SALES PROCESS execution and provide sales coaching. We also help clients RECRUIT sales and other talent to support GROWTH. Recent client case studies highlighted below: 

 * Chicago-based client in the medical device sector. In 7 months secured first meetings with Director/VP-level contacts at J&J, Eli Lilly, Teva, MedImmune, Amgen, Genentech, Pfizer, Terumo, Sanofi, Medtronic, BD, Biogen and others.  Of these interactions, 7 progressed to second or group meetings, 5 to signed NDAs, 1 contract closed (Genentech) and 3-4 others are pending decisions in 2017.  Updated client's sales presentation tools, outlined a detailed sales process model and skills profile for full time sales positions. 

 * Singapore / Shanghai/ Washington, DC- based market research and competitive intelligence service provider with expertise in education, automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, technology and other sectors. Provide sales management, coaching and recruiting support to field and inside sales reps; completed independent sales appointments with market research, strategy and business development executives.  Secured $365,000 in new revenue. 

 *  Los Angeles-based client in the FinTech sector. In three months, developed 44 new connections at 30 Fortune 500 companies and secured meetings with Director/VP-level and higher executives at JP Morgan Chase, Charles Schwab, Discover, Capital One, Fidelity, AXA US, Key Bank, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Fairfax, VA
Founder and Managing Director
Akazia LLC Non Profit Consulting & Facilitation
We provide organizational development and operational support to institutions in the social entrepreneurship, non-profit, association and academic sectors.  Client engagements include expert facilitation of strategic planning retreats and Board of Director's meetings,  business plan development, leadership and staff coaching, fundraising support, and project management execution.

          *  Facilitated 2-day strategic planning retreat for Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies involving 34 leaders across the faculty and administration. Participants included Dean, Vice Dean, senior administrative leaders and faculty. One participant described the retreat as "the best retreat he has been a part of in 43 years."  Retained by JHU SAIS to facilitate 2-day Faculty Retreat, 2 additional management retreats and a faculty/staff working group. 

            * Facilitate annual one-day Board meeting for Washington, D.C-based non profit, APF, and on an on-going basis facilitate monthly and quarterly executive committee meetings, Board committee meetings. Drafted 15 page strategic plan provide advisory support on Board recruitment and project development. 

            * Provide coaching  and consultative support to senior staff at the Convergence Center for Policy and provide consulting support to launch a new division of Convergence in San Francisco, CA that will focus on policy issues facing the State of California.
Founder and Managing Director
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution
https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-center-for-policy-resolution
Convergence operates at the intersection of public, private, non-profit and philanthropic sectors to catalyze multi-stakeholder partnerships between conflicting and diverse organizations and enabling them to leverage their collective resources to implement breakthrough solutions.  Convergence applies its methodology in multiple areas: K-12 education, long-term care financing, public health & nutrition, economic mobility, federal budget process reform and U.S. foreign policy. 

Working with Founder, I successfully built Convergence to address national challenges using a collective impact model:

►  Grew organization from zero initial funding to $4M annual budget with staff of 20:	
	
•        Secured $1.5M grant as primary author of 3-year business plan developed through invitation-only review process with investment committee of US-based family foundation.
•        Raised $1M in project funds from prestigious organizations including US Institute of Peace, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Mellon Foundation, Collegiate Church of NY and others
•	Advanced Convergence initiatives by building strong relationships with organizations including PepsiCo, P&G, Einhorn Family Charitable Trust, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

►  Created and delivered innovative programs including:

•	Nutrition & Wellness Program – Guided team that created national platform for collaboration between public health, food industry and consumer sectors to implement innovative cross-sector programs to increase consumer demand for healthy foods.
•	Dialogue Process Between US and Pakistan - Recruited 22 US Senators and Members of Congress, 13 senior Pakistani legislators and 200 prominent stakeholders to participate in a 5-year, high level, dialogue process; generated new partnerships in education, media, entrepreneurship and civil society; recognized by leaders for significantly improving US-Pakistan relations and collaboration.

►  Wrote and delivered TEDx Talk about Convergence viewed over 3,900 times
Washington D.C. Metro Area
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Co-Founder and Executive Vice President
Corporate Executive Board
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cebglobal
Sales and sales leadership career with high growth public-traded company that provides business research, executive education, peer networking and analytic tools to the world's largest 4,000 companies. Began as an Associate Director of Sales and received rapid promotions to increasingly responsible roles in both US and international sales.

Highlights include:

►   Played key role in the rapid growth of the business post-IPO from $30M to $500M+ as one of the youngest elected to the internal partner tier.

►   Excelled in high volume transactional sales targeting Fortune 1,000 companies selling annual subscription-based services directly to the C-suite with a customer-focused sales process.

►   Produced exceptional revenue results leading mission-critical programs, business lines and high-performance teams of 10-90 FTEs with annual sales goals of $5M-$40M requiring high unit volume of activity, high conversion rates and low-medium average annual unit sales price.

►   Turned around underperforming European sales organization growing sales by 256% in 3 years.

►   Personally developed and closed business with 300+ high profile clients including: American Express, DuPont, Eli Lilly, JP Morgan Chase, Caterpillar, Colgate-Palmolive, Emerson Electric, Raytheon, Siemens AG, Lloyds, United Technologies, Pfizer, General Motors, Dow Chemical, Alcoa, Motorola, NYSE, Chrysler, Lockheed Martin, Sprint, HSBC, Royal Dutch Shell, Unilever, Airbus, Novartis, Aviva and Deutsche Telekom.

►   Consistently recognized for exceptional performance
Rosslyn, VA
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Managing Director of Sales
MBA
Business Administration and Management, General
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Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
https://www.linkedin.com/school/kellogg-school-of-management/
BA
Ethics, Politics and Economics
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Yale University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/yale-university/
OPEN Washington DC
https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-washington-dc
OPEN DC promotes entrepreneurship and leadership in the business community across Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. We provide networking and educational opportunities related to entrepreneurship, business growth, partnerships, and professional development.

Objectives
As an open and inclusive organization, OPEN Washington DC strives to:
●	Help facilitate and encourage the growth of entrepreneurs in diverse fields;
●	Draw attention to and promote entrepreneurs within the greater community;
●	Become a resource of information and contact for enterprise, talent, and venture capital; 
●	Develop ongoing events and opportunities for professional development and networking; and 
●	Recognize the growing accomplishments by entrepreneurs and executives.
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President
Convergence Center for Policy Resolution
https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-center-for-policy-resolution
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Member, Leadership Council
https://www.linkedin.com/in/riaz-siddiqi-b5803b6
Houston, TX
Riaz Siddiqi
CEO Epochal Technologies
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-dailey-60a1735b
Arlington, VA
Lucy Dailey
President at USA International Travel
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-sher-a8b92631
Gaithersburg, MD
Steven Sher
Director of Zoning and Land Use Services at Holland & Knight LLP
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayan-ahmed-bb8123100
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Area
Shayan Ahmed
Democratizing access to Private Equity | Fundraising Professional | Chess Champion | Personal Finance Junkie
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-leavy-91936145
United States
Jane Leavy
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-chin-wing-32ba6b225
Rockville, MD
Andre Chin Wing
Project Executive at HBW Construction
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugene-kinlow-13262020
Washington, DC
eugene kinlow
Pastor at All Nations COGIC
https://pk.linkedin.com/in/usman-ahmed-cheema-222282138
Lahore District
Usman Ahmed Cheema
Portfolio Associate at Forest Light Capital
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-margie-gillman-a981b238
Herndon, VA
Mary (Margie) Gillman
teacher
https://www.linkedin.com/in/latasha-gresham-james-ba38b0126
Baltimore, MD
Latasha Gresham-James
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/berdj-karapetian-33815754
Glendale, CA
Berdj Karapetian
CEO at HiChoice Health Care, Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/evymages
Washington, DC
Evy Mages
Staff Photographer at Washingtonian Magazine
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-strohmeier-8992a079
New York, NY
Elizabeth Strohmeier
Vice President of Sales at Principia Consulting
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertshp
Richardson, TX
David Roberts
Founder, CEO, COO & Chief Vision Officer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/delmercado
Boise, ID
Tony Delmercado
Co-Founder/President at Hawke Media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lia-winograd
Brooklyn, NY
Lia Winograd
Co-Founder & COO @ Pepper | Forbes 30 Under 30
https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkoons
Boulder, CO
David Koons CMA
Home Mortgage Advisor to Veterans & Their Friends | Caliber Home Loans
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiannassau
Austin, TX
Sebastian Nassau
C.O.O. at Harvest 360
Peter Lauer
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Aakif's a great guy and terrific sales professional - I'd hire him or work with again in a heartbeat. He's smart, funny, calm yet energetic, organized, dedicated, and honest and clients as well as staff love him.  We had a great run together at the Corporate Executive Board which always maintained a very high bar on talent and performance.  David Fairman
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Aakif for the past seven years, as he helped to create, lead and manage Convergence, co-direct a major project on US-Pakistan relations, and advise on several other Convergence national policy dialogues. Throughout our work together, he has been an exceptionally collaborative and effective partner, recognizing where his strengths and mine lay, and finding ways for us to complement and reinforce each other. He has extraordinary talents as a relationship builder. Aakif is masterful at connecting individuals and organizations who do not see eye to eye on specific issues, by helping them recognize and build on the values and aspirations they do share. He is also an excellent program and project manager and advisor, skilled at leading and working with diverse teams to articulate clear goals and develop strategies and work plans to achieve them. Aakif will bring insight, warmth, humor, energy and deep commitment to any enterprise he joins.
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Congratulations to all the top performers at KForce! I am so honored to be a part of this amazing team of high achievers. It feels great to have won…
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Today is my last day at the U.S. Chamber.  I am moving back to the private sector in an important step in my career.   It’s been an honor and…
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I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Senior Technical Director for Advanced Missions at Anduril Industries! 🗡There are many…
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New Delhi
Aakif Ahmad
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Anantnag
aakif ahmad
Manager
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Delhi, India
Aakif Ahmad
Real Estate Agent at Acres N Inches
https://pk.linkedin.com/in/aakif-ahmad-0a0b3948
Pakistan
Aakif Ahmad
RPM at ZTE Corporation
Digital Business Trends
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Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs - OPEN Global Charter Members Network
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Yale University Alumni
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CEB Alumni Group
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Kellogg Executive MBA Alumni
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Alumni of the Ivy League: Ivy & Oxford Cambridge MIT Stanford Duke Berkeley Chicago
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TS/SCI cleared IT Professionals
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