Widely recognized as a thought leader and expert in the areas of project development and foreign direct investment on the African continent, Mr. Cortese provides strategic direction, executive leadership, and oversight of AfricaGlobal Schaffer’s operations. As a senior executive with broad experience in finance and strategic investment in emerging and frontier markets, over the course of his career, he has successfully developed and led large multidisciplined and multicultural teams to create growth opportunities in uncertain and volatile environments.

His expertise in trade and development finance is recognized by Development Finance Institutions (“DFIs”), Export Credit Agencies (“ECAs”), and commercial lending institutions worldwide. Prior to joining AfricaGlobal Schaffer, Mr. Cortese served as the Vice President and Portfolio Director of Global Recovery Group, LLC where he managed the resolution and restructuring of nearly $2 billion of trade and development loans worldwide, and Vice President at Archetype, where he led the project development firm’s expansion into Africa. To this day, Mr. Cortese maintains advisory roles with each of these institutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Bucknell University as well as a Master of Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management