Brahim Rawi
Silver Spring,MD
Summary
Exemplary record in business finance leadership through high-quality financial, sales & operations management. 25+ years of progressively responsible experience driving positive bottom-line benefits by effectively overseeing financial planning, operations, sales, service, customer outreach & banking relationships. Award-winning MS in Science of Strategic Leadership with deep experience in both retail and international banking management & leadership; passionate about sales management, business development, operations & entrepreneurship in dynamic, high-volume & competitive environments. Served as the Company Ambassador in Washington DMV region. An influential, results-oriented leader.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
General Finance Manager
Dollar Star, Inc.
Washington, DC
10.2018 - Current
- Directs and oversee all financial activities of the company
- Implement and maintain timely reports and information to help ensure the profitable long-term growth strategy for the company
- Directs day-to-day responsibilities including accounting, finance, forecasting, strategic planning, budgeting, and internal controls
- Influences external financial relationships including the audit firm, key partners and banking relationships
- Ensures all fiscal functions comply with GAAP and regulatory organizations, including annual audit and tax filings
- Prepares monthly company consolidated and business unit financial statements, forecasts, budget to actual summary, and work in process schedule
- Responsible for coordination with outside auditors and tax accountants for providing necessary information for completion of the audit of company’s financial statements and preparation of the company’s tax return
- Oversees and develops a finance and accounting team capable of carrying out financial and company’s strategy, budgeting and management control, financial management, and job cost management
Business Finance Consultant
International Finance Consulting
Washington, DC
10.2015 - 12.2018
- Led clients all finance and project accounting activities and apply GAAS to manage and oversee pre- and post-award administration of multiple and complex grants, sub-grants, contracts, and sub-contracts to ensure strict compliance with donor requirements and internal policies and procedures
- Managed clients Project Accountants and Regional Finance Specialists to ensure that they provide timely, collaborative, service-oriented support to all staff on financial matters
- Provided clients support to Country Program Directors (CPDs) or their designees in hiring local accountants and finance officers/managers, and in setting up finance structures and internal controls, policies, and procedures to provide effective financial management and compliance
- Worked with managers and other members of the Finance Team to streamline internal financial reports and reporting processes to deliver more efficient, effective, and useful reports and analysis
- Worked closely with members of the Finance Team during the annual audit to ensure all relevant information is transmitted to the auditors in a timely manner
Vice President Relationship Manager – Global Government
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Washington, DC
02.2011 - 09.2015
- Managed high-value portfolio of business for consulates, embassies, international institutions, and missions
- Analyzed global government client financial and operating strategies, and recommended alternative or additional financial services to best meet their needs
- Identified new global business opportunities in collaboration with executives, and determined cross-sell opportunities
- Supported the proposal process for partners, including industry benchmarks, points of negotiation, and pricing development
- Responded to requests for information from compliance departments and international regulators in accordance with Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer's policies
- Monitored and reported on status of partnership team activity, including lead and pipeline management, as well as sales forecasts
- Initiated Mid-Atlantic multicultural project that sparked employee and client satisfaction and retention, earning me the MidAtlantic Project Management Leadership Award
- Surpassed competition to rank #1 in market share and increased portfolio income from $6M to $25M in 18 months after inheriting poorly performing global government client portfolio; built new relationships in diplomatic community, and attended client events to drive business; conducted financial solution seminars and workshops, and coached team on successful community events; traveled to many countries to meet decision-makers and win business proposals
- Led key extended team members in analyzing and executing effective delivery of products and services to ministries of culture, defense, finance, foreign affairs, and health
- Acted as the primary point of contact for established partners, as well as key financial adviser for clients and prospects; established initial contact with potential partners, researched specific customer needs, and incorporated them into initial partnership pitches
Market Sales Manager – Consumer Division
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Washington, DC
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Oversaw 35 branches, which included directing compliance, operations, risk management, sales, service, staffing, strategic planning
- Evaluated branches’ overall effectiveness through analysis of daily sales
- Planned and executed special events and trade shows
- Managed special projects related to opening new branches and leading regional initiatives with market executives
- Trained branch managers, measured their performance, and ensure accountability via structured coaching visits; developed world-class and diverse talent at all levels
- Acted as the bank's ambassador in Washington DC Metropolitan area, which included developing relationships with key business partners and community leaders
Education
Master of Science - Science of Strategic Leadership
Mountain State University
Washington, DC05.2011
Professional Diploma - Banking
American Institute of Banking
Washington, DC07.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration - Economics
University of Picardie
Amiens-France06.1984
Skills
- Finance - Accounting
- Statistical Analysis
- Customer Service
- Branch Management
- Human Resources/ Employee Relations
- Strategic Planning
- Community Involvement/Outreach
- Relationship Cultivation
- Innovative
- Trade Show Management
- Empowering Leadership
- Persuasive Communicator
- Problem-Solving
- Team Player/Building
- Staff Development
- Organization
- Excellent Judgment
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
- Multilingual (English, Arabic, French & Spanish)
Earlier Roles
- Market Growth Leader, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Attained 20% of consumer market’s account growth through banking events; drove multicultural expansion via African-American, Asian, and Hispanic populations.
- Banking Centers Manager, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Achieved overall banking center proficiency by leading associates to exceed sales and service targets.
- Personal Banker, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Connected value to customers while opening accounts and resolving problems.
Community Service
- Board of Trustee Vice-Chair/ Finance Committee President, Community Services Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School, 1998-Present
- Corporate Member, Bell Multicultural High School, 1993-Present
- Board of Directors Member, DC Chamber of Commerce, 2009-Present
- Volunteer/ Fundraiser, March of Dimes/ Susan G. Komen
- Volunteer/Organizer, DC Fiesta/ Adams Morgan Annual Day
- Annual Community Festival Organizer
- Delivered Small Business Workshops and Seminars/ Financial Literacy Education
- Performed Small Business Store Front Renovations
- After-School Program Mentor
Selected Highlights
- Garnered multiple accolades due to finance and business leadership skills, including: a MidAtlantic Project Management Leadership Award at Bank of America Merrill Lynch as well as multiple sales achievement awards of excellence, performance club awards, small business and big business awards, and a leadership community excellence award.
- Coached numerous financial bankers and retailers in leading the local market share by creating high-impact sales culture.
- Spearheaded market employee retention program that increased retention.
- Boosted productivity 20% by effectively mentoring and coaching employees.
- Built winning team that ranked #1 in deposits in Bank of America’s Mid-Atlantic region after inheriting 36 financial centers ranked #13 with low sales results and team morale; promoted coaching, open communications, and team/client education on financial solutions, and created rewarding environment featuring incentives and annual bonuses; hired 150+ multicultural bilingual sales and service bankers to match clients; ultimately boosted staff satisfaction and promoted top performers.
- Increased business bottom line by three times in two years at Bank of America after starting new retail business from scratch with two employees; forged relationships in the community to market the business, attended merchandise shows, and met suppliers; hired 15 additional employees to meet clients’ demand; later opened a second location, and earned a reputation for running an established, well-known, and trusted community place of business.
Timeline
General Finance Manager
Dollar Star, Inc.
10.2018 - Current
Business Finance Consultant
International Finance Consulting
10.2015 - 12.2018
Vice President Relationship Manager – Global Government
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
02.2011 - 09.2015
Market Sales Manager – Consumer Division
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
01.2009 - 01.2011
Master of Science - Science of Strategic Leadership
Mountain State University
Professional Diploma - Banking
American Institute of Banking
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration - Economics
University of Picardie