CEO

Thais Rezende has more than 12 years of experience in the nonprofit world, with a particular focus on micro-enterprise development. For eight years, she led the growth of innovative programming and organizational expansion at Women’s Initiative for Self Employment. Mrs. Rezende initiated and drove the agency’s successful expansion into Contra Costa, Marin County, and Silicon Valley. As the lead developer of the successful business propulsion program “SuccessLink,” she set a new national standard for entrepreneurship support services that are now a national model. During her tenure as Program Director, Mrs. Rezende focused on scalability and efficiency and as a result, the agency tripled the number of women it served. In 2009 Mrs. Rezende was promoted to become the Women's Initiative Executive Director in San Francisco and Marin County, and she subsequently took the same position in the East Bay.

Thais joined BizWorld.org five years ago and has since created a stronger, more vibrant organization expanding its footprint to more than 12 countries around the world. Mrs. Rezende brings extensive business experience, working as a Public Relations Manager in her native Mexico. During this time she fostered her commitment to public services when she helped open three virtual libraries and consistently provided shelter, schooling, and coverage of basic needs to more than 300 homeless children. Mrs. Rezende moved to the Bay Area, 20 years ago, and worked for the Mexican Consulate as part of The Mexican Communities Abroad Team where she helped implement and develop health, educational, and business trade programs. Her background includes journalism work both in TV and print covering technology topics. She holds a BA in International Relations from her native Mexico and is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.