Tal Dehtiar
Founder of Oliberté Footwear
Tal Dehtiar launched Oliberté with the mission of creating sustainabl…
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Full Bio
Tal Dehtiar launched Oliberté with the mission of creating sustainable manufacturing jobs in SubSaharan Africa to ultimately reduce the continent’s dependence on foreign aid. Founded in 2009, Oliberté manufactures the world’s first and only Fair Trade Certified footwear out of its factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. By focusing on premium handcrafted product, the planet and worker empowerment, Oliberté has become a model for the new corporate social responsibility.
Tal was born in Israel to Russian immigrant parents who moved the family to Canada when he was an infant. Despite barely being able to speak the language and knowing nothing about business, they eventually founded a furniture company in Ontario that continues to thrive today. The family business introduced Tal to the opportunities and challenges of entrepreneurism.
Tal graduated with a B.A. in communications from University of Western Ontario before attending Toronto’s prestigious McMaster University, where he completed his M.B.A. at age 24. While many of his fellow graduates went on to pursue high-paying corporate jobs to pay off their student loans, Tal knew that big business was not where he wanted to be.
In 2004, he founded MBAs Without Borders, an international charity that has engaged hundreds of business professionals from around the world to volunteer and help build small businesses in over 25 developing countries including Afghanistan, Columbia, Haiti, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
After several years in the non-profit sector, Tal grew frustrated with the ineffectiveness of many international aid strategies positioned to help emerging economies. Drawing from his newfound relationships and understanding of international business, Tal founded Oliberté in 2009 using a business model centered around sustainability values. Rather than corporate social responsibility (CSR) being a business “add-on” for the sake of marketing, Tal believes CSR should be baked in to how businesses operate from day one.
Today, the company manufactures the world’s first Fair Trade Certified footwear from its factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Oliberté’s 110 factory workers are paid a fair wage, receive weekly doctor visits and enjoy many other benefits.
Oliberté now serves as a leader within the broader footwear industry to show how creating sustainable manufacturing jobs in a developing region can support the growth of emerging economies and reduce dependence on foreign aid.
Among his numerous awards and recognitions, Dehtiar was named one of the International Youth Foundation’s Young Social Entrepreneurs and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. He has been featured regularly on CNN, CBC, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, The Toronto Star, MacLean’s Magazine, Canadian Business Newsmagazine, Business 2.0, TVO, City TV, and Global National.
Tal has traveled, worked, studied or lived in over 50 countries and speaks English, Russian, Hebrew and Spanish. He is a recipient of the 2004 Ontario Global Trader Award, 2005 Arch Award and was nominated for the 2005 YMCA Peace Award. He is a regular speaker at conferences and business schools across the globe
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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Global Perspectives: Tal Dehtiar
CFC Keynote - Tal Dehtiar: This is our time, this is Africa | @marioninstitute
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