About Us
The Expert Advisory Network at the Council on Emerging Markets is an extensive group of former senior executives, diplomats, and scholars that supports multinational companies in growing their businesses across emerging markets.
Members of our Expert Advisory Network help shape our research and provide a multitude of services to our clients. As partners to FSG, these expert advisors participate in our international events and webcasts and are available to our clients for one-on-one consultations. Access to this global network provides clients with the latest thinking and unique insights on emerging markets not available in the public domain.
Download our sample Expert Advisory Insider Newsletter
How Council members have used the Expert Advisory Network
Topic: Tax, Importation, and Ethical Business Practices in Brazil
Industry: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
A consumer goods company approached the Council with challenges relating to importation costs and ethical government relations in Brazil. The Council leveraged its local Brazilian tax and business expert practitioner to discuss effective strategies for maintaining international business standards while growing profitably in the Brazilian market.
Topic: Developing Effective Sustainability Initiatives in China
Industry: Construction Materials
A member in the construction materials industry in the Asia Pacific Council was interested in understanding changing political and social norms around the environment and sustainability in China in order to better align his organization and product portfolio to address this important market. The Council arranged for a one-on-one discussion between the member and an advisor with deep roots in the corporate environmental community in China to brainstorm ideas and create a compelling strategy.
Topic: Currency Fluctuation and the Economic Climate of Ukraine
Industry: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
A fast-moving consumer goods company in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Council was interested in Ukraine’s long-term economic viability given recent political instability and economic volatility. The Council spoke with a former US Ambassador to Ukraine in the Expert Advisory Network along with a prominent Ukrainian journalist to understand the political landscape and likely future scenarios for the Ukrainian economy.
Topic: Domestic Consumer Demand in China
Industry: Agriculture
An agricultural foods company in the Asia Pacific Council sought advice on the evolution of consumer demand for meat and dairy products in China. The Council leveraged the Expert Advisory Network to facilitate a conversation with a prominent Chinese economics scholar to help the company better understand the changing demographics and preferences of Chinese consumers.
Topic: Investment and Business Best Practices in Egypt
Industry: Industrial Goods
Members in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa Council were interested in understanding the investment climate in Egypt. The Council asked a former US Ambassador to Egypt in the Expert Advisory Network to discuss the Egyptian political landscape, culture, and successful business practices for MNCs operating in the country.
Representative Sample of Advisors
Dr. Diego Abente-Brun has a distinguished record as a scholar and published author, and has served as a senator in Paraguay (1993–2003), as Paraguay’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States (1999–2002), as senior cabinet advisor to the Minister of Finance (2003–2005), and as Minister of Justice and Labor (2002).
R. Siisi Adu-Gyamfi served as Senior Vice President of International and Marketing at Textron and was named a corporate officer on Textron’s Transformation Leadership Team. Prior to Textron, he served as Corporate Vice President of Marketing at Eaton Corporation.
Alain Barbet has worked with Pernod-Ricard as CEO of Americas, CFO of North America, and other C-level positions. He also had senior roles in DMC Inc. and Fromageries Bel SA (Laughing Cow). He has overseen export markets in South Africa and Eastern Europe and has significant experience in FMCG business operations in LATAM. He has participated in numerous acquisitions during his time at Pernod-Ricard.
Richard Brubaker is the Founder and Managing Director of China Strategic Development Partners, which provides clients with market entry and sourcing information on China. He is also the Vice Chairman of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and is an Assistant Professor of Management, Sustainability, and Responsible Leadership at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.
LTG (Ret.) Daniel W. Christman is Senior Vice President for International Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this role, Christman was President and Executive Director of the Kimsey Foundation and served as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during which time he advised Secretary of State Warren Christopher.
Lee Coulter served as Senior Vice President of Global Shared Services for Kraft Foods/Global Business Services. He also has served as Vice President for Global IT Operations at Kraft. Prior to these positions, Mr. Coulter was Vice President of Service Delivery at Aon Corporation and Region Vice President at GE Capital IT Solutions. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost experts on shared services and outsourcing.
Dr. Guillermo D’Andrea is Research Director of the Coca-Cola Retail Research Center–Latin America. He has collaborated with companies in retail, textiles, pharmaceuticals, medical services, steel, manufacturing and distribution, and construction, and is Professor of Business Administration at IAE School of Business.
Warwick Every-Burns is the former SVP of International and Executive Committee member at Clorox. He joined the finance division at Unilever after receiving an MBA at Harvard Business School, and has more than 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry in roles spanning finance to sales and marketing.
Sir Peter Heap is former British Ambassador to Brazil and served senior posts in Hong Kong, Macau, and West Africa. He advises a number of major companies and is currently Chairman of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in Britain.
Ambassador Martin S. Indyk was US Ambassador to Israel and Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs during the Clinton administration. He now directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution.
Adrian Koch was formerly Senior Vice President of the Personal Systems Group at Hewlett-Packard Asia Pacific and Japan. During his tenure at HP, Koch was responsible for manufacturing, sales and marketing, and managing operations in regions including North America, EMEA, and APAC.
Tom Santel served as the President and CEO of Anheuser-Busch International Inc. as well as the Vice President of Corporate Planning for Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. Prior to joining Anheuser-Busch in 1983, he worked for Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young).