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A Global Legacy of Leadership & Impact

Dr. Toby Malichi, Hon.D.Bus., DHL, LHD

Dr. Toby Malichi

Hon.D.Bus., DHL, LHD

The Global Godfather

A chronological look at the relationships, leadership, and global trade work that shaped a lifelong commitment to emerging leaders and social entrepreneurs.

Dr. Toby Malichi, Hon.D.Bus., DHL, LHD dubbed, ‘The Global Godfather’ is an internationally Acclaimed and Recognized Award-Winning Inspiring Multinational SME Global Leader for ‘All Things Trade’ and global business diplomacy. Officially appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Dr. Malichi is currently serving and advising his 7th consecutive White House Administration and 7th U.S. Presidency on trade, exporting, trade-related policies, and Free Trade Agreements. He was an elected Delegate to the 2nd White House Conference on Small Business, under President Ronald Reagan, and an appointed Delegate to the 3rd White House Conference on Small Business by The Honorable U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, under President Bill Clinton. He advises heads of state, world business leaders, government trade officials, governors, mayors, founders, CEOs, and Multinational Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) spanning the globe. 

Renowned for his keen cultural adaptability, and collaboration with people and companies from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Malichi embodies a rare set of global credentials, expertise, value-creation, and hard-earned wisdom over four (4) decades of transforming complex global trade challenges into scalable business successes in the U.S. and across continents. He is highly-acclaimed as a SME spokesperson, testifying before the Congressional House Ways and Means Committee and its Subcommittee on Trade during NAFTA, and the Hearing before The Employment, Housing, and Aviation Subcommittee of The Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives. Dr. Malichi, recognized for his trade advocacy leadership for the successful passage of NAFTA was an invited guest and attended The White House for the signing ceremony of the NAFTA Accord with U.S. President Bill Clinton, and former U.S. Presidents; George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter, along with Vice President Al Gore. Notwithstanding numerous other U.S. Free Trade Agreements. 

It all started over four (4) decades ago with a clear vision, after nearly being burned to death with hot transmission fluid in a near fatal car crash, and spending nearly a year in three (3) critical care burn units – during his tenure at General Motors Corporation. From Corporate America to founding his own company to becoming an internationally-recognized and highly-acclaimed small business leader, trade advisor, and global business diplomat. Dr. Toby Malichi, ‘The Global Godfather’ is the Founding Executive Chairman and Global Head of Development, Investment & Diplomacy at Malichi Group Worldwide, LLC (https://www.Malichi.com) a multinational small-and-medium-sized enterprise (SME) global trusted advisory firm is internationally-recognized for its real-world insights, hard-earned wisdom, and strategically advising, coaching, and inspiring business and government leaders, global boards of directors, and partnering with leaders on shaping business and trade strategy that gets deals done, unlocks profitable markets, and leverages our influential networks in over 195 countries, and over 206 regional metro markets globally. MGW has unparalleled expertise in securing, facilitating, and closing complex cross-border trade and investment deals, while leveraging our mastery at global business diplomacy. MGW creates value, strategic collaborations, and economic partners; that drives results for innovation and business solutions while unlocking trillions of dollars in trade and investment deals, amid unprecedented geopolitical risks, and economic uncertainty in an interconnected world economy.  

We are based in Indianapolis, and Carmel, Indiana USA with influential stakeholders, and strategic partners in Washington, D.C., Africa, Dubai, India, South Korea, London, Singapore & China, and a reach spanning the globe; anchored by our two (2) Strategic Global Business Organizations:  

https://www.MalichiGlobal.org/Donation  

  • Global Chamber™ Indianapolis (Indiana) https://www.globalchamber.org/landing/indianapolis operating in over 195 Countries, 6 Continents, and 525 Regional Metro Markets  leveraged by our digital online platform, and collaborative partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management and Marketing. 

Celebrating Excellence: Global Bridges Champion Award – Global Entrepreneur Congress 2025 

“In a moment that embodied the Recorder’s tradition of “heralding the achievements of individuals in various spheres,” we celebrated Dr. Toby Malichi as the Global Godfather, recognizing his tireless work bridging cultures and creating opportunities across continents.” 

On January 01, 2026. Dr. Toby Malichi, Hon.D.Bus., DHL, LHD was appointed Professor of Practice with the rank of Clinical Professor at St Paul Christian University Covenant Divinity Seminary a higher education ministries affiliated with the Evangelical Orthodox Church in America Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Midwestern States and Missionary Dependencies. 

Dr. Toby Malichi was selected as a Delegate to the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 held in Washington, D.C. A convening of private and public sector leaders – including over 200 top global CEOs, U.S. Cabinet officials, congressional leadership, global finance ministers, and central bankers – to explore innovative solutions for expanding the global economy in an era of uncertainty. 

On November 7, 2024. Dr. Toby Malichi appointed and sworn in as a Commissioner to Mayor Sue Finkam, (Carmel, IN), newly formed, Commission on Public Safety. 

On October 3, 2024. Dr. Malichi gave the keynote at the 14th annual Excellence in Global Trade Awards Luncheon, and bestowed the honor of Arkansas Traveler by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. It is Arkansas’ highest honor as Ambassador of Arkansas. Other notable recipients: Muhammed Ali, Maya Angelo, President Ronald Reagan, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Steve Forbes, just to name a few! Moreover, Dr. Malichi was invited to attend and speak at The White House Business Leader Summit as a global business leader representing Indiana and the Midwest. 

His Eminence Most Rev. Dr. Michael Layne, Ph.D., Th.D., C.R.T., Metropolitan Archbishop, Evangelical Orthodox Catholic Church in America, Metropolitan Archdiocese of the Midwestern States and Missionary Dependencies has honored and bestowed Dr. Toby Malichi with his third Honorary Doctorate Degree, and honored with an International Peace Medallion from St. Paul Christian University for his exemplar work in global business diplomacy and philanthropy.  

Dr. Malichi is the recipient of two (2) Sagamore of the Wabash (Indiana’s highest honor bestowed by the Governor), an inaugural member of the Society of Sagamores, and Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute a Think Tank based in Indianapolis, IN., a Kentucky Colonel and Belle of the Captain (Kentucky’s Highest honor(s) bestowed by the Governor and Mayor), and is a Coronated African Chieftain, Ashanti Tribe Central Region, Accra, Ghana. Dr. Malichi is the first IU Global, Divine Nine – Exemplar in Business – Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, and has a plaque hung in his honor in the Neal-Marshall Library hallway, (Kelley School of Business at IU Global, Bloomington, Indiana. 

Dr. Malichi who never meets a stranger is an internationally-recognized industry trade veteran, influencer, and Purpose-driven and inspiring leader/speaker with over four (4) decades of ‘All Things Trade’ – is highly-regarded by his contemporaries as a world citizen, highly-skilled global business diplomat and problem solver at heart. Dr. Malichi is highly sought-after for his sage advice as a thought leader, strategist, and social entrepreneur – known for his passion as an advocate for small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and global philanthropy for advancing trade and investment for Frontier, Emerging and Developing market economies. 

Having a life-long Purpose for ‘Business for Peace’ and a personal mission and vision of winning a Noble Laureate. He founded Dr. Toby Malichi Institute for Global Impact and serves as its Founder, CEO & Global Board Chair: (https://www.MalichiGlobal.org) which is dedicated to inspiring young global leaders, professionals, and empowering emerging social entrepreneurs and enterprises through trade education & global leadership, advocacy & trade policy issue briefings, and economic development tools for getting the deal done, and bridging the wealth gap by leveraging business diplomacy, giving rise to poverty, and improving the quality of life cross-borders through collaborations, and our virtual integrated performance (VIP) global impact roundtables, state-of-the-art AI technology driven platform of global network of contacts, portfolios of services, and resources for ‘Going or Growing’ globally, and building a global entrepreneurial ecosystem within the U.S., Global Africa, and Emerging Markets and Economies around the globe. 

 The hallmark of Dr. Malichi is anchored in his Faith, Purpose-driven solutions, real-world hard-earned sage advice and wisdom, and advocating Business for Peace – one trade deal at a time. 

Dr. Malichi’s keen multilateral deal making impacts, quiet solution-oriented style, and unique ability to navigate the complexities for unlocking trillions of dollars in trade for development, investment and diplomacy. Has landed him at the dinner table with Heads of State, foreign business and government leaders around the globe many times, and at the White House. Several U.S. Presidents and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have tapped him to serve in leadership international trade capacities, and cross-border business dialogues solving difficult trade issues – on behalf of U.S. multinational small-and-medium-sized enterprises. 

Dr. Malichi’s over 36 year tenure as a White House selected official volunteer global small business leader  and board director is federally and officially appointed by the U. S. Secretary of Commerce and works closely with the U.S. Commercial Service, and currently serving and advising his 7 consecutive White House Administration; and as a former U.S. Chamber of Commerce board director and international policy committee member. He was officially selected to provide Congressional testimony to the full House Ways Means Committee officially speaking, advocating, and lobbying for the successful passage of NAFTA on behalf of U.S. Multinational Small-and-Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). Moreover, Dr. Malichi was also officially selected and appointed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and White House Administrations as an official U.S. Delegate to the WTO, WEF (Twice U S. Delegate, 1999 & 2000), APEC, ASEAN, WEF, TABD, OEDC, CAFTA, AGOA, USTR, TEC & U.S. State Department, where he spoke and participated at the highest of levels engaging Heads of State, world business, government, and political leaders from around the globe. 

In 2005. Former U.S. Secretary of State The Honorable Colin Powell dispatched Dr. Malichi to the countries of Grenada and Barbados to represent the U S. State Department as a motivational speaker during Black History Month for high ranking government officials, their employees, and college students. Dr. Malichi stated, “I come instructed.” 

Dr. Malichi was twice named a “Greater Washington Power Player” for 2000 & 2001 by the Greater Washington Board of Trade. 

From 1995 – 2002, Dr. Toby Malichi was a selected participant, official spokesman, and Issue Group Advisor for the U.S. – European Union (EU) Trans Atlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) Small-and Medium-Sized Enterprises Working Group III, Co-convened by The White House, U.S. Department of Commerce and the European Commission. 

Dr. Malichi, attended as an invited VIP guest of Tung Chee Hwa, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), People Republic of China to the October 1, 1997 Chinese Handover Ceremony held on the famous Yacht on Victoria Harbor.  

In 2023. Dr. Toby Malichi was only the second recipient honored and presented with the Advancing Africa – Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship Honor at the Annual Dinner of Indy Black Professionals and its multicultural Corporate leaders. 

Dr. Malichi is the 2023 Recipient of the Champions of Impact – prestigious and coveted – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award -for transforming lives, opening doors, and creating meaningful impact in communities and the nation through their work and leadership – presented by the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, and the Minority Business Review. Dr. Malichi is also a freelance global business columnist. 

Dr. Malichi was an invited speaker/panelist at the United Nations General Assembly 77 Side Event on Africa: Trade and Investment on September 23rd 2022, and The White House U.S. Africa Leadership Summit on Trade and Investment on December 15th 2022. 

With a heart for Africa. Dr. Malichi is a founding life member and head of the governance executive committee for the African Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, DC. Dr. Malichi is also the first elected Dean of Distinguished Fellows at the Global Africa Leadership Council. Dr. Toby Malichi is a Coronated African Chieftain, Ashanti Tribe Central Region, Accra, Ghana. 

Dr. Toby Malichi magnetic personality, infectious smile and who never meets a stranger is highly-regarded as a “Go-To-Guy” for “All Things Trade,” Purpose-driven leadership solutions, and is a highly sought-after media, subject matter expert, and featured podcast guest. Who freely gives of his time, strategic advice, and global business philanthropy.  

Dr. Malichi, is a board member, trade advisor, and immediate-past Vice Chairman (First Black) of the Indiana District Export Council, where he CoChaired, Emceed and Moderated his brainchild, the first ever Doing Business With Africa Conference. He is appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and is currently serving his 7th consecutive White House Administration, nearly 36 years. https://indianadec.org/membership/ 

Dr. Malichi is a member of the White House Business Council/Affiliate Member of Business Forward, Indiana State Advisor, US Global Leadership Coalition (Washington DC), Board Advisor, Indiana University (IU Global) Center for International Business Education Research (CIBER) Indiana University, Senior Advisor, Institute for Sustainable Development and is a former Board Member for the America China Society of Indiana and Independent Colleges and Universities of Indiana, and former Small Business Board of Advisors for American Express. 

Dr. Malichi is an ordained Auxiliary Chaplain for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department (Indianapolis), and a Marketplace Minister for Transform the World Global Ministries headquartered in Singapore. He is recognized and listed in Who’s Who Worldwide – Global Business Leaders. 

In constant demand for his global business expertise, encouragement, and experience. Dr. Malichi served as National Advisor, U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council (NAC); Elected and served 6 years, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (including service as Charter Member on its Small Business Council), served on the Chambers International Policy Committee for 13 years; served on the Board and elected first Black to the Executive Committee, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), an affiliate of the National Endowment of Democracy; Board and Executive Committee Member, Indiana Chamber of Commerce and first Black Vice Chairman and Chairman, Indiana Small Business Council; Indiana Delegate, two (2) White House Conferences on Small Business (Elected, 1986; Appointed, 1995 by late U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar who was the Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee). 

A graduate with honors from Vincennes University, and bestowed with an Honorary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Business; Inducted in the Indiana University Indianapolis (IU) Athletics Hall of Fame, First Men’s Basketball Team, Metros; First recipient of the Divine Nine Exemplar Award for Business, Indiana University Alumni Association, (Executive Board 1992-95), and Neal-Marshall Alumni Club and has a plaque in his honor in the Hall Library of the Neal-Marshall Building at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. 

Dr. Malichi also graduated with distinction from the prestigious General Motors Corporation, School of Management and Marketing. He was the youngest Division Manager in the history of General Motors Corporation at age 23, Frigidaire Division, and first black for the Indianapolis Zone. Subsequently being one of the youngest District Managers heavily recruited by General Motors Corporation/Chevrolet Motor Division (First Black), Indianapolis Zone where he earned the coveted and prestigious GM Corporate Leadership Ring for exceptional performance ranking him in the top 2% nationally. 

Dr. Toby Malichi is a coveted White Jacket 50 year+ honoree (Alpha Chapter ‘71), and in 1976 received his Life Members’ Pin of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  

Since he was eight years old in the third grade. Dr. Malichi has dreamed of earning the Noble Laureate, Business for Peace. A dream he is pursuing daily. 

Dr. Toby Malichi, ‘Global Godfather’ renowned catch-phrase. We doze but never close. Have a successful day and think globally! 

Direct: +1.317.515.8866 Dr.Toby@malichi.com  

CHRONOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

A career built across borders.

From early leadership foundations to international diplomacy, each chapter reflects a commitment to building connections that create opportunity.

ERA 01

Foundations of Leadership

1971–1985
  1. Joins Fraternity

    Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Chapter '71

  2. Graduates From Vincennes

    Earns undergraduate degree with honors

  3. General Motors Leadership

    Becomes Youngest Division Manager at 23

  4. Life Members’ Pin

    Receives Pin from Kappa Alpha Psi

  5. GM Corporate Leadership Ring

    Earns recognition among GM's top performers

ERA 02

National Business Leadership

1986–1994
  1. Elected Indiana Delegate

    White House Conference on Small Business

  2. SME Advocacy Commences

    Kickstarts multidecade service in national small and medium-sized enterprise policy

  3. Indiana Business Leadership

    Advances small-business leadership across Indiana

  4. White House trade Leadership

    Long-term role advising global trade begins

ERA 03

Global Trade Diplomacy

1995–2005
  1. White House Conference Delegate

    Appointed Delegate to the 3rd White House Conference on Small Business

  2. NAFTA Advocacy & Congressional Testimony

    Advocates for small businesses during crafting of NAFTA legislation

  3. Transatlantic Business Dialogue

    Serves as participant, spokesman, and issue-group advisor

  4. Invited VIP Guest

    Attends Chinese Handover Ceremony in Hong Kong

  5. World Economic Forum representative

    US delegate at the World Economic Forum

  6. Greater Washington Power Player

    Recognized twice by the Greater Washington Board of Trade

  7. State Department Representative

    Represents the U.S. State Department in Grenada and Barbados.

ERA 04

International Influence

2006–2021
  1. Global Trade Policy Leadership

    Advised global orgs across international trade and economic policy

  2. Congressional Trade Advocate

    Converted complex trade challenges into practical business strategy

  3. Indiana District Export Council Leadership

    Helped expand Indiana’s global trade capacity

  4. establishes Global Advisory Network

    Built relationships across markets and continents

  5. Founds Malichi Group Worldwide

    Global advisory and investment platform

  6. Global Business Diplomacy in Practice

    Advanced the principle of Business for Peace

  7. Faith, Service & Global Leadership

    Extended leadership through faith, service, and cultural diplomacy

ERA 05

Impact, Honors & Legacy

2022–Present
  1. United Nations General Assembly Speaker

    White House Africa Summit

  2. White House Africa Leadership Summit

    Engaged leaders on trade & investment

  3. Advancing Africa Recognition

    Received honors for economic development and social entrepreneurship

  4. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Award

    Recognized as a Champion of Impact

  5. International Peace Medallion Honoree

    Recognized for global business diplomacy and philanthropy

  6. Excellence in Global Trade Awards Keynote

    Delivered keynote address & received Arkansas Traveler honor

  7. Appointed Commissioner of Public Safety

    City of Carmel, IN

  8. Earns Global Bridges Champion Award

    Recognized for connecting cultures and creating opportunity

  9. Semafor World Economy Summit Delegate

    Convened with leaders to discuss future of global economy

  10. Appointed to Professor of Practice

    Began Clinical Professor position at St. Paul Christian University

Dr. Toby Malichi Institute for Global Impact operates its principal offices in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana, supported by a strategic global footprint in Washington, D.C., and engages an international partner network spanning 195+ countries. Our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect emerging global leaders and social entrepreneurs with the resources, trade education, global leadership development, and networks they need to make a profound impact in their communities, nations, and across the globe.

This Institute represents some of the most influential thought and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and emerging global leaders, educators, political and government officials, practitioners, and impact organizations around the globe leveraging their unique talent, expertise, and resources to inspire the next generation of global leadership.

Toby Malichi

317.515.8866

Dr Toby Malichi

317.515.8866

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