Avril Fortuin

Business Coach. Motivator. Trainer

About Me

I have a special talent for connecting with people, being purposeful, and sharing practical insights from my own life experiences, all to help you reach your goals and have a positive influence on the world.

I accomplish this by:

• Inspiring you to achieve your greatest potential.
• Motivating you to pursue your most ambitious aspirations.
• Teaching you how to effectively monetize your brilliant ideas.

Summary

I am a design thinking expert who provides business performance coaching, online training, and holistic growth strategies for entrepreneurs. With my idea generation and clarification skills, I create clear roadmaps for my clients, while also providing a supportive space for them to share their mental health issues. I lead innovative learning models and create engaging e-learning courses for SMEs to stay ahead.

With over ten years of experience leading projects, conducting impact assessments, and providing training programs for organizations across multiple countries, I have a diverse skill set that includes producing business plans, conducting Training Needs Assessments, customizing training materials, and providing training in Small Business Management. Additionally, I have created a comprehensive training manual on Bookkeeping and Financial Management for the UNFAO.

I am confident that I can make a positive impact in any organization, and I look forward to helping you unlock your potential and achieve your career goals.

Education

Achievements & Certifications

Passed with Distinction, Finance for Development, Coursera (2015)

Graduated with Distinction, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) (2006)

Graduated Sum Cum Laude and as Valedictorian and received an award as "Who's Who Among America Colleges and Universities" in the USA (2003)

Financing for Development course from the World Bank (2015)

Gender-Based Violence and Livelihood Integration course (2012)

Business EdgeTM Trainers of Trainers and Business Edge Trainer from the International Finance Corporation (2010)

Professional Skills & Proficiencies

"She takes her time to listen attentively to my story," and helped where now "my goals are all coming to life."

Eden Michelle

Small Business Owner

“Helping me to understand how to achieve goals set out through design thinking.”

Lance Botha

Start-up

Work Experience

Timeline

(2016-Present)

Director, Avril Fortuin Training Services Pty Ltd

• Managed nearly USD 1 million in program budgets, ensuring efficient allocation and accurate financial reporting to senior management.
  
• Trained 2,500 women and youth in vocational, entrepreneurship, business, and life skills.
  
• Collaborated with government agencies and private companies on youth vocational training and employment opportunities.
  
• Coordinated with government agencies (Gender & Development, Labour, Commerce & Industry, and Education Ministries) on youth skills training and employment.
  
• Successfully placed over 1000 young women in internships, formal employment, and income-generating activities in public and private sectors.
  
• Facilitated the capacity building of over 100 trainers in teaching methodology, curriculum design, and classroom management.
  
• Supervised a team of 48 or more members and provided mentoring to over 50 mentors in life skills.
  
• Oversaw the production of training manuals for Life and Business Skills, Professional Painting, Professional Cleaning and Waste Management, Housekeeping and Cleaning Services, Canteen Management, Culinary Arts, and General Hospitality Services.
  
• Generated reports on the progress and completion of training, ensuring the quality of the project.
  
• Supervised monitoring and evaluation tasks to achieve project effectiveness and goals.
  

• Managed the Youth Employment Skills project, a joint initiative of the World Bank and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, overseeing program budgets of over USD 100,000.
  
• Trained over 300 young individuals in vocational trades, entrepreneurship, business, and life skills.
  
• Placed 275+ youths in internships, formal employment, and income-generating activities, including new business start-ups.
  
• Collaborated with government officials, donor agencies, and the private sector to provide youth with skills training and employment opportunities.
  
• Supervised a team of 10 or more members, generated progress and completion reports, and ensured project quality by supervising monitoring and evaluation tasks.

• Conducted assessments of the AMENU project, an EU-funded initiative to improve smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Africa.
  
• Provided recommendations on ways to enhance the project’s effectiveness and sustainability and its funding mechanisms.
  
• Conducted field visits to project sites to collect data and assess project impact.
  
• Drafted comprehensive reports on project performance, including recommendations for improvement.
  
• Participated in project monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure compliance with project goals and objectives.

• Produced a comprehensive Training Manual on Bookkeeping and Financial Management as part of the Forest Instrument Liberia Initiative.
  
• Conducted a Training Needs Assessment and provided ToT training in Bookkeeping and Financial Management to 50 Forest Development Agencies and County Forest beneficiaries.
  
• Monitored the implementation of the training manual on the grassroots level.
  
• Tested the curricula content across Liberia, Nicaragua and the Philippines before its adoption as a critical document for capacity building in the forestry sector.
  

• Conducted impact assessment and feasibility studies for various agricultural cooperatives and VSLAs associations in different regions.
  
• Produced business plans for vegetable production, piggery, poultry and vegetable stalls based on market analysis, financial projections and risk assessment.
  
• Provided training and coaching to cooperative members and VSLAs leaders on business management, record-keeping, and marketing strategies.
  
• Generated reports on the progress and completion of business plans, ensuring the quality of the project.
  

• Managed Component 1 of the Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI) project administered by the World Bank and implemented by the Rwandan government WDA training centre.
  
• Developed competency-based curricula materials for Fishpond Farming, Culinary Arts, Fruit Processing, Milk Processing, and Beading.
  
• Conducted technical review of existing curricula, identified shortcomings, and recommended meeting training requirements.
  
• Facilitated curriculum development guideline workshops and Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on facilitation methodologies.
  
• Developed curricula guidelines and facilitated workshops on training methods, tools, and teaching methodologies.
  
• Shared best practices and lessons learned from Liberia and linked with service providers who could deliver the training package.

• Assessed and strengthened the institutional capacities of stakeholders and institutions in the cocoa and rice sector in the Foya district.
  
• Provided agricultural inputs and training to civic organisations to enhance their productivity and sustainability.
  
• Generated reports on the progress and completion of training, ensuring the quality of the project.
  

2010-2012

Business Training Consultant, Red Cross International

• Conducted training in Entrepreneurship and Business Skills Development for 200 women.
  
• Assisted women in starting and growing their businesses across various sectors.
  
• Evaluated the training program’s impact on the participants’ income and empowerment.
  
• Generated reports on the progress and completion of training, ensuring the quality of the project.
  

• Took all reasonable measures to ensure that the 2-day TOT Monitoring training activities were delivered promptly and effectively.
  
• Facilitated a TOT Monitoring training;
  
• Procured training materials to be used by the facilitator, such as flip charts, poster sheets, pens, etc.
  
• Prepared participant’s materials listing and provided to Samaritan’s Purse at least a week before training.
  
• Prepared resource material to be used by facilitators.
  
• Prepared and printed training materials for all participants.
  
• Conducted evaluation after the training;
  
• Provided technical assistance as needed.
  
• Compiled and submitted a detailed report to Samaritan’s Purse within ten working days after the end of the workshops.

2009 -2011

Agribusiness Training Consultant, Samaritans Purse, Liberia

• Met critical needs within the targeted community appropriately and in a sustainable manner.
  
• Established a community-based project owned and managed by the community responsibly.
  
• Built capacity amongst the locals.
  
• Formed collaborative relationships with leaders within the community to facilitate change and acceptance.
  
• Empowered the Swamp Group Farmers economically through the establishment of cooperatives.
  
• Implemented the program most efficiently and effectively.
  
• Generated reports on the progress and completion of training, ensuring the quality of the project.
  

• Conducted extensive research in Tanzania and Uganda to identify potential business opportunities for sustainable projects.
  
• Facilitated business leadership training workshops in Africa, focusing on key areas such as business ethics and management skills.
  
• Completed detailed reports on various economic empowerment projects, including micro-lending, micro-enterprise development, and women's entrepreneurial development.
  
• Utilized strong analytical skills to provide insightful recommendations and strategies to stakeholders.
  
• Collaborated with stakeholders to develop and implement successful business plans for sustainable projects in the region.
  
• Presented research findings and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner, demonstrating strong communication skills.
  
• Conducted thorough needs analysis and assessments to develop a comprehensive business plan (marketing, financial, and operational plan) for a Women's Business Center that targeted disadvantaged communities.
  
• Provided expert business solutions to Eggleston Services Inc. on paper destruction business opportunities, utilizing analytical and market research skills to identify potential growth areas.
  
• Developed innovative business growth and expansion ideas by utilizing creative problem-solving skills.
  
• Networked and liaised with industry leaders in Decorative Overlay systems in Australia and South Africa to explore possible business expansion opportunities, demonstrating strong communication and networking skills.
  

Interests

These are just some of the things that make me feel alive!

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Let's Connect!

Avril Fortuin

avril@avrilfortuin.com

+357-9948-1145

www.avrilfortuin.com

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