Faris Alami

Office: 888-853-0122 Ext 2

Faris.Alami@myisminc.com

Founder & CEO

As Founder and CEO of ISM, Faris Alami works with international leaders and entrepre-

neurs on strategies and implementations, to create an empowering environment for startups and existing businesses to prosper and grow.

Find Faris online::

  1. Weekly blog on leadership, entrepreneurship, education, globalization, and community topics

  2. Weekly Finjan show podcast, available on YouTube

  3. StartupGrind host

  4. Yearly host and keynote speaker of the Global Entrepreneurship Week

  5. Guest, live on stage during programs and events, shows, and podcast including international, national, and local news channels and social media outlets

In the course of his career, Faris has been a special advisor and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem expert with the World Bank, a Business Advisor with Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, and a Mentor to MBA Students and Entrepreneurs globally.

Facilitating economic and workforce development programs on entrepreneurship, small/medium enterprise development, mentorship, and funding, Faris works with high-ranking officials—presidents of countries, ministries, universities, incubators/accelerators, and economic development groups. He also leads the ISM team in supporting entrepreneurs in underserved communities in finding success.

His insights into, strategies for, and facilitation of entrepreneurship activities have been sought out by more than 61 leaders of nations and organizations. ISM's programs include training entrepreneurs, trainers, and management teams in supporting entrepreneurs, and in technology, retail, workforce development, leadership, and culture-related programs. Faris founded the non-profit Connecting Dots Globally — a STEMprenuerer program in which high school and university students learn to launch a global technology company.

Current Boards:

  • Automation Alley International Center, Advisory Board

  • Center For The Study Of Citizenship at Wayne State University

  • Executive Board of Directors/Vice Chair GlobalTies Detroit

  • Leadership Oakland, Board of Directors

  • Franklin University MBA Advisory Board Member

  • American Lung Association, Board Member

  • Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency Board Member

  • George Washington University School of Business Advisory Board Member

  • U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Michigan Advisory Committee

Sample Professional Honors and Awards:

  • Leader of Leaders Award

  • Corp! Diversity Business Leader Award

  • Professional Resource Business Award

  • KNF Appreciation Award

  • Global Entrepreneurship Week Host & Keynote Speaker

Prior Boards, Committees, and Awards:

  • The Oakland County Employment Diversity Council (OCEDC)

  • Automation Alley Workforce Committee

  • Troy Chamber of Commerce Workforce Leadership Council

Highlights of some things we’re proud of:

The company donates over 600 hours a year to volunteerism

  • New Enterprise Forum Mentor

  • EISEM Bi-Monthly Meetings

  • Mentor to University of Michigan Entrepreneurship

  • Helped start more than 10 Companies

  • Mentored over 1000 people

  • Mentored over 100 companies

We’re passionate about global education

  • GTM (Global Trade Mission- High School)

  • University of Michigan International Entrepreneurship Activities

  • Guest Lecturer speakers at Lawrence Technological University

  • Guest speakers at the University of Michigan

  • Guest Lecturer speakers at several International Universities

And run programs to encourage and cultivate diversity

  • Middle East Conference

  • Diversity in a Box Even

  • Reel to Real

  • Understanding Arabs

  • Dealing with the Middle East

  • Engaging the Saudis

  • What to do when visiting Arabs

  • Avoiding Culture Clash

We understand that the world is becoming more global and that there is a need to attract and retain the top talent:

  • Become an Employer of ChoiceTM

  • Attract and Retain Top Talent in Southeast Michigan

  • Leveraging Multi Generation and Culture Workforce

  • Attracting and Retaining Multi Generation and Culture workforce

  • Seven Steps to Maximize the Enjoyment on Your Job

  • Tips and Tricks working a Job FairTM

  • Converting your resume to a 30 Second CommercialTM

As well as diversify your market strategies:

  • Diversifying in a Flat World, A MANUFACTURING SYMPOSIUM

    American manufactures in Transition, Intro to Defense How to: Work

    Local, Think Global, Finding International Sales

We’ve also won some awards along the way:

  • Faris Alami- Named Diversity Business Leader by Corp! Magazine (2008)

  • Faris Alami- Member of the Year Finalist - Automation Alley (2008)

  • Faris Alami- Chair- Workforce in Transition - Automation Alley (2008)

  • Faris Alami- Co-Chair- Employer of Choice - Automation Alley (2008)

  • Faris Alami - MBA Mentor - University of Michigan - (’07- Current)

  • Faris Alami - Public Relationships Champion - Global Trade Mission- Automation Alley (07)

  • Faris Alami - Business Round table- CEO Advantage Business Coaching (’05- Current)

  • Faris Alami - Business Coaching Team member - New Enterprise Form Coaching (’07- Current)

  • Faris Alami - Chairperson – Workplace Leadership Council - Troy Chamber of Commerce (2006)

  • Faris Alami - Ambassador of the Quarter - Troy Chamber of Commerce (’05)

  • Faris Alami - Manager of the Month (May Company (14 consecutive months ) ‘00-‘01)

  • Faris Alami - Standards of Excellence - Pure Beauty (’02-’03)

  • Faris Alami - Outstanding Achievement Award - Pacific International (‘97-’00)

  • Faris Alami - Outstanding Loyalty & Dedication Award - Pacific International (‘95, ‘97-‘00)

And continue to spread the message on the importance of cultural understanding and volunteerism by encouraging and teaching entrepreneurship around the world:

  • Kuwait National Fund

  • World Bank

  • Automation Alley

  • The m4 Summit in Digital Arts, Film and TV Social Network

  • Arab American National Museum

  • Nomads

  • The International Council on Systems Engineering ( INCOSE)

  • Troy Chamber of Commerce

  • Oakland Leadership

  • HMS

  • Auburn Hills High School

  • Automation Alley Global Trade Mission- High Schools

  • International Academy of Design & Technology

  • Macomb Community College

  • Oakland Schools District

  • Plymouth Canton Education Park

  • Troy Schools District

  • University of Michigan- Dearborn

  • Walsh College

  • Wayne Community College

  • AMEINU

  • Annual Non-Profit Management Conference

  • First Presbyterian Churches

  • Peace and Justice in the Middle east Conference

  • Troy Business Education Round table

  • Workplace Leadership Council