About Eric Schneider
International Development Strategist | U.S.–Francophone Africa Consultant | Founder of ReseauLink LLC
Eric Schneider is a bilingual international development strategist, educational consultant, and trade facilitation professional working at the intersection of the United States and Francophone Africa. He is the Founder and Managing Director of ReseauLink LLC, a U.S.-based consulting and intermediation firm focused on strengthening commercial, educational, and institutional linkages between the United States and Francophone African markets.
Eric’s work spans international program design, U.S.–Africa trade facilitation, educational partnerships, professional English training, diaspora engagement, youth leadership, and institutional development. Based between the United States and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, he brings a practical, cross-cultural approach to building partnerships between public institutions, private-sector actors, schools, universities, civil society organizations, and diaspora networks.
Education and Fulbright
A graduate of Fordham University, where he studied International Studies and French and Francophone Studies, Eric developed a strong academic foundation in U.S.–Africa relations, Francophone political and cultural contexts, international affairs, and cross-cultural communication. His studies shaped his early interest in public diplomacy, education, economic development, and the role of institutions in building stronger ties between the United States and Francophone Africa.
This academic foundation led Eric to Côte d’Ivoire as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant, where he gained direct experience in education, cultural exchange, youth development, and public diplomacy. Based in Abidjan, he taught English to Ivorian students, supported American Spaces programming, and collaborated with local educational and institutional partners. His Fulbright year deepened his connection to Côte d’Ivoire and became a foundation for his later work in educational consulting, youth leadership, diaspora engagement, and U.S.–Francophone Africa partnership-building.
Work Experience
Eric’s broader professional experience includes youth development, public service, political engagement, international development, and grant management. As a Program Director at Goddard Riverside in New York City, Eric managed youth and workforce development programming focused on academic support, career readiness, mentorship, leadership development, and professional skills.
Eric also supported campaign operations, community outreach, and strategic communications for New York State Senator Steve Rhoads, gaining practical experience in civic engagement, constituent-facing work, public messaging, and local government dynamics. This experience expanded his understanding of public service, community relationships, political communication, and the importance of clear, trust-based engagement with local stakeholders.
Eric later served as a Bilingual Program Analyst with the U.S. African Development Foundation, where he worked on grant portfolios supporting community-based enterprises and development initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. This experience strengthened his understanding of grant management, entrepreneurship, local development, and the operational challenges faced by African SMEs and producer organizations.
ReseauLink LLC
Through ReseauLink LLC, Eric now supports initiatives that connect U.S. and Francophone African stakeholders across education, trade, and institutional partnership-building. The company’s work is organized around two major areas: ReseauLink Educational Services and ReseauLink Commercial Services. Its educational work includes professional English training, bilingual education consulting, teacher training, curriculum support, youth leadership programming, and school or university partnership development. Its commercial work includes trade facilitation, U.S. export-readiness training, B2B matchmaking, market-entry support, delegation coordination, and advisory services for companies and institutions seeking to engage across U.S.–West Africa corridors. Eric has also played a significant role in diaspora and economic diplomacy initiatives, including the Akwaba African Diaspora Festival and the US–Benin Business Forum 2026. These platforms reflect his broader commitment to connecting diaspora professionals, African institutions, U.S. businesses, investors, buyers, educators, and public-sector stakeholders through structured, practical, and relationship-driven engagement.
Youth Development
Eric has extensive experience designing and leading youth development, professional development, and leadership programs. In addition to his work as Program Director at Goddard Riverside, Eric has also organized international youth leadership and professional development initiatives, including his Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Grant project, “Your Network is Your Net Worth,” implemented in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The program brought together young leaders for training, mentorship, networking, and career-oriented development, reflecting Eric’s broader commitment to connecting youth with practical tools, professional exposure, and institutional networks. His training areas include professional English, workplace communication, leadership development, networking, public speaking, academic preparation, and career readiness.