Business Development Director

Homeira Ghorbani

**** **** ****** **, **********, DC 20007 202-***-**** *******.********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Results-driven professional with over 19 years of experience in business development, including strategic planning, identifying, and qualifying new clients, and alliance building. Successful track record for developing relationships with large and mid-market companies.

Work History

Director of Business Development, 07/2021 to Present

Baker Tilly US, LLP – Washington, DC

Lead the business development efforts of Baker Tilly's Washington, DC office, in particular the Government Contractor and Commercial practices.

Develop and execute effective business development strategies to generate leads and win new business.

Initiate and manage internal (cross-selling) and external sales activities.

Establish and manage strategic relationships and alliances.

Collaborate with the Marketing department on marketing and outreach tactics.

Meet regularly with partners to go over business development plans.

Identify speaking opportunities.

Business Development Director, 11/2004 to 04/2020

Troutman Pepper (formerly known as Pepper Hamilton LLP) – Washington, DC

Was responsible for driving new business opportunities and expanding current accounts across Tax and Hedge Funds practice groups at Pepper Hamilton and Troutman Pepper.

Worked with the Tax and Hedge Funds practice leaders and partners on the development and implementation of targeted initiatives and campaigns.

Identified cross-selling opportunities across other practice areas and worked with practice leaders and other attorneys to expand client relationships.

Facilitated client meetings and served as a value proposition expert, coordinated and co-lead (along with the partner on the account) the account team meeting before the client meeting.

Promoted the Tax and Hedge Funds capabilities externally and across the firm, through regular advisories and external quarterly newsletters.

Ensured follow-up on action items by tracking progress against deadlines.

Developed and optimized relationships with relevant industry associations and organizations, activating those sponsorships to drive value and client engagement.

Selected Achievements:

Increased Troutman Pepper's corporate practice's revenue by executing a series of business development initiatives that expanded its penetration of the marketplace and by building relationships with C-level executives of relationships of large and mid-market companies.

Played a critical role in the firm's participation as an annual Silver Sponsor for Tax Executive Institute (TEI), a preeminent professional organization of in-house tax professionals, by obtaining numerous speaking engagements for Pepper Hamilton's partners with the various TEI chapters throughout the country.

As a result of my involvement with TEI, this sponsorship became an integral part of the firm's overall marketing/business development strategy.

Enhanced the public image and recognition of the firm's name within the business community through new business development, community outreach, networking, and social networking sites.

Business Development Director, 11/2003 to 11/2004

Gardner Carton & Douglas, GCD – Washington, DC

Collaborated with corporate tax partners in establishing a DC corporate tax practice that provided a full range of tax services by combining the best practices of Big Four accounting firms with the personal relationship and efficiency offered by GCD.

Developed business development strategies aimed at generating leads, growing sales, and driving revenue.

Created marketing methods, including events, worthwhile organizational affiliations and sponsorships, cross-practice initiatives, and other projects by working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to drive revenue growth for the newly formed Tax Practice.

Teamed with the Communications team to develop media relations opportunities, including strategies for inclusion on key lists and in all relevant directories.

Business Development Manager, 08/1996 to 10/2003

Ernst & Young LLP – Washington, DC

Created business development processes for existing and new consulting services.

Strategized sales and marketing initiatives.

Selected Achievement:

Initiated new income streams through strategic rollout of new tax solutions throughout the U.S

And internationally.

Played an integral role in increasing gross profit margins from 10% to 60% as a result of astute product positioning, improved brand marketing, and revised strategy.

Economist, 06/1995 to 08/1996

Ernst & Young LLP, National Tax Office – Washington, DC

Provided consulting services to clients in the area of international transfer pricing:

Performed economic studies on the international transfer-pricing policies of multinational corporations in a variety of industries.

Conducted detailed financial statement analyses.

Performed applied research and summarized findings.

Board Membership

The Women's Center, Board Member

The Women's Center provides mental health services in the greater Washington DC area.

Education

Meredith College - Raleigh, NC

Bachelor of Science in International Business/Economics and Bachelor of Arts in French Literature

Université Catholique De L'ouest – Angers, France

Meredith abroad program, all-French curriculum.

Affiliations

Member of the Association for Corporate Growth (Washington, DC Chapter), Virginia Technology Council (NVTC), Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Professional Services Council, AFCEA NOVA, Women in Technology, and National Contract Management Association.

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