FDI Business Diplomacy

Who We Are

Connected. Experienced. Results.

We are an international advisory firm with a modern approach to facilitating foreign direct investment opportunities between economic development organizations, investment promotion agencies, special economic development zones and companies around the globe.

Our strategies are resilient enough to persist through the rapid changes of pace and parameters expected in today’s global business environment. We combine decades of FDI and global business experience with today’s best practices in digital communication to make powerful connections across our robust international network.

No matter the global climate, investment agencies seek companies to invest in their region; and companies seek the best regional vantage point for their next stage of growth. FDI Business Diplomacy brings both parties to the table through virtual and real world engagements.

Our Team

We are experts in providing full support towards running opportunistic foreign direct investment lead generation activities

Robert Dean

Partner, FDI Global Business Transformation

Robert (Bob) Dean is a global senior executive with decades of proven expertise in leading organizations to transform businesses on a global basis. Robert’s relationships with corporations, governments, non-governmental organizations, economic business development organizations, and market influencers throughout Europe, the Middle-East, the United States, and other countries have positioned him as a valuable resource for businesses wanting to effectively expand their global business footprint.

With over 25+ years of in-country international experience, Mr. Dean has Ex-Pat experience in the UK (5 years) and The Netherlands (2 years) as well as leading and managing business transformation engagements for companies around the world. He was a member of the IBM Institute for Business Value, which was the global, CEO, client-facing, thought leadership organization of IBM.

Lynda Arsenault

Partner, FDI Business Consultant

Lynda Arsenault is an expert in attracting, maintaining and accelerating Foreign Direct Investment opportunities. With over 20+ years of experience working in both the public and private sector, she has been instrumental in assisting international companies succeed in-market. For 10 years, Lynda worked in senior FDI management positions for the Canadian government with a key focus on Europe, India, UK, Dubai, Japan and the US. In 2016, Lynda began her own consulting practice, joining forces with a few global partners - all focused on helping international investment agencies attract FDI into their regions.

Ms. Arsenault sits on the regional board of The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada and is a member of The Council of American States in Canada. She holds a Master’s Degree in E-Commerce from Dalhousie University and has obtained the Designation - Certified International Trade Professional CITP©/FIBP©.

Salil Mohan

Partner, FDI Business Consultant

Salil Mohan is an experienced Foreign Direct Investment Executive with 20 plus years of providing investment strategy, business development and advisory services to mid-market enterprises, service providers and emerging outsourcing regions around the world.

A former Governmental Relations executive in the State of Texas, Salil now works with International Trade & Investment Promotion agencies (EDOs) around the world, helping them gain maximum exposure to the North American market in key industries such as financial services, retail, education, healthcare, manufacturing, IoT, AI, outsourcing, etc. He regularly facilitates C-level meetings for his clients, host roundtables and in-market seminar events with stakeholders, multipliers and site selectors.

Brad Napp

Partner, Governmental Relations

Brad is based in Bern, Switzerland and Austin, Texas working with economic development, international trade, and workforce development clients in Western Europe and the United States. He has over 25 years of experience in the public, non-profit, and private sectors at the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Association of Business, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce.

Brad has managed trade missions (US and Europe), executed marketing campaigns, authored policy papers, and developed training programs. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Distribution from Texas A&M University with continuing education through the International Economic Development Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Texas – Arlington.

Garth Holsinger

Advisor, F500 Digital Agility & Start-Up Acceleration

Garth is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. Garth has over 20 years of experience helping global F500 companies navigate emerging technology accelerate growth through strategy, investment, partnerships and enterprise relationships.

An experienced startup founder, he has built businesses at fast-growing startups (Klout, Livefyre), both acquired for $200MM +. He founded Pilot44, a leading innovation consulting practice that was quickly acquired after founding and then co-founded GoCard (acquired), the free-postcard media business, called by Adweek "one of most innovative new advertising mediums of the decade." Mr. Holsinger brings to the team a network of 100+ enterprise / corporate partners, 1000s of fast-growing startups, and major innovation groups, both inside F500 companies and independent labs, accelerators and incubators.

Samantha Dumas

Partner, Brand Strategist & International Market Entry

Samantha Dumas is an expert in Strategic Communications, Brand Strategy, Public Relations, Marketing, Trends and Culture. She is known for positioning companies ahead of the curve in some of the most complex and competitive global marketplaces.

Over the past 12 years, Samantha has helped to launch and expand a number of multinational companies, including a billion-dollar cannabis company, Hydropothecary, at the early onset of the legal cannabis industry, and a North American customer care company, doubling annual revenue within a two-year expansion period.

Samantha’s expertise for spotting emerging global market trends and deeply understanding the psychology of the target clientele has resulted in sustained, profitable success for her clients.

Yehya Mokhalati

GCC Business Development & Events

Yehya Mokhalati is an expert in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) serving in several major roles related to events, media, and business development. For twenty-two years, Yehya has worked in the public and private sectors refining business strategies for governmental participation within international events and public relations projects. He has developed new business models and adaptation tactics for international media companies while connecting GCC investors with government and private sectors. Yehya’s proven track record in business development and close relationships with the leadership in the GCC make him a key player in the events industry. With proven expertise in managing world class events across the GCC, the Middle East and Europe, Yehya partners with top speakers and influencers while engaging his global network of agents to market events throughout the GCC.

Yehya has been based in Dubai for 17 years and 7 years between Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His diverse background, experience, and credibility in the region have afforded him top positions working with international companies and government sectors such as UBM - IFSEC, Intersec, Gulf Beauty, SRPC, DWTC, ITP, Mediaquest, GFH Bahrain, Top CEO Bahrain, ISEC for KSA-MOI, Dubai Holdings - Dubai Media City, I Media - Das Holdingsu Abu Dhabi, Gitex KSA-MOI project.

Connected. Experienced. Results.