THE TEAM
Brad Holmes
Founder & Executive Director
Brad founded the Rising Tide Initiative with the belief that socially and environmentally responsible small businesses are a vital driving force behind the rising tide of green economic activity. Concerned that small green businesses are most vulnerable in their first few years of operation, Brad developed RTI’s three main support initiatives: The Green Business Studies (Discover), The Green Business Challenges (Promote), and Green Business Consulting (Consult). Brad oversees all of RTI’s programs and ensures that each generates real results that translate into advancing the green economy and creating a healthier more prosperous planet.
Previously, Brad was the Director of New York’s first Green Business Competition, which was a groundbreaking platform that successfully attracted 70 businesses and awarded over $30,000 in prize money and business services. Brad was also the Supervising Producer for the Sundance Channel's environmental series called the Big Ideas for a Small Planet. He has over 10 years of experience in editing, producing and directing countless hours of television programs including the Emmy award-winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Brad grew up in Los Angeles, attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, and has lived in New York for over 9 years.
To contact Brad please e-mail him at brad[at]risingtideinitiative.org.
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Keith Littlejohns
Business Development
Keith brings both project and relationship management experience to RTI. He assists with organizing projects, databases and business development. Keith is also an Account Manager for the Carbon Disclosure Project, an NGO exclusively focused on helping the ‘Global Business System’ to make the maximum possible intervention to prevent dangerous climate change.
Previously, Keith worked in the investment management industry as a client communications manager with Brewin Dolphin, based in the United Kingdom. He was then hired in New York as an Associate at BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager, where he provided customized solutions to Fortune 500 clients.
Keith saw an opportunity to make a significant difference in the world by working with RTI’s objectives to shape the future of the green economy. He believes that small socially responsible and sustainable businesses will be tomorrow’s leaders in innovation. These businesses will ultimately enhance the quality of life for future generations and benefit all socio-economic groups.
A native of the United Kingdom, Keith obtained his Masters degree in International Relations while living in Paris, and produced an increasingly relevant thesis on National Security and the threat of climate change. He also has a degree in Business Economics from the University of the West of England.
To contact Keith please e-mail him at keith[at]risingtideinitiative.org.
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Jalila Aissi
Research Coordinator
Jalila brings a variety of valuable skill sets to Rising Tide Initiative. Besides her passion and enthusiasm, she excels in uncovering and analyzing research, has a deep understanding of environmental and land use law, and has been involved in many aspects of non-profit operations. She believes that prosperity is best when shared and that our health and environment thrive when green businesses thrive. She hopes to help RTI empower a new generation of green small businesses and to give them a voice in the marketplace.
Her passion for entrepreneurship and social innovation was sparked during law school, where she became an active leader in the community. Since then, she has pursued those interests by volunteering with New York non-profits, to which she has provided strategic planning, project management, SWOT analysis, marketing and communications strategy, and pro bono legal services. Her professional background is in environmental, government, and corporate law.
Jalila is a graduate of the University of San Diego and U.C.L.A. and has been accepted to the state bars of California and New York. In addition to her work with RTI, she continues to serve on the Grants Committee of the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund.