Eric Schneider

Program Coordination, International Partnerships & Economic Engagement

Founder and Managing Director of RéseauLink LLC, a U.S.-based consulting and intermediation firm dedicated to strengthening partnerships between the United States and Francophone Africa. Through RéseauLink, Eric works with businesses, institutions, educational organizations, diaspora communities, and development stakeholders to facilitate collaboration across trade, education, workforce development, and international engagement.

The firm’s work includes international trade facilitation, U.S. market access support, educational and institutional partnerships, strategic advisory, professional trainings, business matchmaking, and the coordination of international programs and delegations. Through RéseauLink, Eric has supported initiatives ranging from export readiness programming and agribusiness engagement to youth development, international exchange, and diaspora-focused economic initiatives designed to strengthen long-term partnerships between Africa and the United States.

(Learn more on the RéseauLink page.)

Program Coordination, International Partnerships & Economic Engagement

Eric serves as a coordinating and implementing partner of the Akwaba African Diaspora Festival, a leading platform connecting Africa and the United States through trade, entrepreneurship, cultural exchange, diaspora engagement, and economic diplomacy. Through this initiative, Eric supports international delegation coordination, program development, institutional engagement, and business-to-business matchmaking designed to strengthen cross-border partnerships and commercial opportunities.

Through RéseauLink and Akwaba, Eric has helped cultivate partnerships and engagement with institutional stakeholders including the World Trade Center Delaware, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, U.S. Embassy Abidjan, the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire to the United States, American Spaces Côte d’Ivoire, universities, diaspora organizations, and private sector actors. His work has included organizing professional forums, institutional visits, networking opportunities, and sector-based engagements focused on trade facilitation, educational cooperation, and long-term U.S.–Africa collaboration.

Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange Grant

Eric was selected as a recipient of a U.S. Department of State Reciprocal Exchange Grant through the Mandela Washington Fellowship to design and implement Your Network is Your Net Worth, a youth professional development initiative in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The program focused on leadership development, professional communication, networking, mentorship, workforce readiness, and career preparation for emerging young professionals, bringing together participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Through the initiative, Eric coordinated partnerships with professionals, organizations, and institutions to deliver workshops, mentorship opportunities, and professional development sessions aimed at strengthening participants’ confidence, employability, and long-term career readiness. The program culminated in a professional gala hosted at UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire and included the presentation of program outcomes to diplomatic and institutional stakeholders, including representatives of the U.S. Embassy and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC).

Trade Capacity Building & Market Access

Eric developed the U.S. Export Ready Trainings initiative to help agricultural organizations, cooperatives, SMEs, and producer groups across Francophone West Africa better understand the requirements and opportunities associated with exporting to the United States. Designed as a practical and market-oriented training program, the initiative focuses on helping businesses strengthen their readiness for international trade while navigating the regulatory, commercial, and logistical realities of the U.S. market.

The trainings cover key topics including FDA and FSMA compliance, export logistics, product standards, packaging and labeling requirements, buyer engagement, supply chain readiness, and international business communication. Through this initiative, Eric works with producer associations, agribusinesses, entrepreneur organizations, and institutional stakeholders to strengthen export readiness, improve competitiveness, and create pathways for sustainable U.S.–Africa trade relationships.

English Teaching Assistant (ETA)

Eric served as a U.S. Department of State Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in Côte d’Ivoire, where he taught English language and communication skills to more than 1,500 students while supporting educational and intercultural exchange initiatives. Working in both English and French, he contributed to classroom instruction, student mentorship, and activities designed to strengthen English proficiency, global engagement, and professional preparedness among Ivorian youth.

Beyond the classroom, Eric collaborated with schools, American Spaces Côte d’Ivoire, and the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan on educational programming, professional development activities, and public diplomacy initiatives. His Fulbright experience also enabled him to build relationships with institutions, educators, and communities across multiple regions of Côte d’Ivoire, laying the foundation for his long-term engagement in Francophone West Africa through education, partnership-building, and international collaboration.

Eric provides guidance on navigating international legal frameworks, trade agreements, and compliance requirements. His advisory services help organizations avoid disputes and ensure adherence to relevant regulations across jurisdictions.