There's nothing micro about a billion women
Book Launch: Making Finance Work for Women
Join us for this exciting book launch presentation by Mary Ellen Iskenderian and get to know more about what it really takes to empower women. This event is organized by GLIS Gender Lens Initiative for Switzerland and supported by Sustainable Finance Geneva and alphamundi, hosted by responsAbility.
Nearly one billion women have been completely excluded from the formal financial system. Without even a bank account in their own name, they lack access to basic financial services, including secure ways to save money, pay bills, and get credit. Exclusion from the formal financial system means they are economic outsiders, unable to benefit from, or contribute to, economic growth. Microfinance has been hailed as an economic lifeline for women in developing countries. But as Mary Ellen Iskenderian shows in this book, it takes more than microloans to empower women and promote sustainable, inclusive economic growth.
Event Details
Event Program
| Column 1 | |
|---|---|
| 16:30 | Registration |
| 17:00 | Welcome address |
| 17:10 | Book presentation |
| 17:40 | Q&A |
| 18:20 | Networking |
Meet the Speakers
Mary Ellen Iskenderian
President and CEO of Women's World Banking
Mary Ellen Iskenderian is President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, the global nonprofit devoted to giving low-income women in the developing world access to the financial tools and resources they require to achieve security and prosperity. She joined Women’s World Banking in 2006 and leads the Women’s World Banking global team, based in New York, and also serves as a member of the Investment Committee of its two impact investment funds. Mary Ellen is a passionate advocate for women’s economic empowerment through greater access to finance and is a leading voice for women’s leadership in financial services. She has spoken widely and published extensively on the topic of equality of economic opportunity and women’s financial inclusion.
Sarah Djari
Principal Financial Institutions & Fintech Private Equity at responsAbility
20 years of international experience in private equity, strategy consulting and development finance across emerging markets. Has held non-executive board positions in Financial Institutions, Agtech, Renewable energy companies & Funds in emerging markets. Holds 2 masters of Astrophysics & Engineering from Imperial College & CentraleSupélec, graduated from the Australian Institute of Company Directors & the Oxford Fintech executive program. Sarah is also VP at Gender Lens Initative Switzerland.
Michael Fiebig
Head of Private Equity, responsAbility
Member of Executive Management in charge of Private Equity, Fund of Funds, and HR. 25 years experience in development finance across over 40 emerging markets, and including 15 years as private equity investor. Built a USD 300 million private equity portfolio across four investment vehicles focusing on microfinance, banking and fintech. Numerous non-executive board positions in financial institutions, funds and industry associations . Studied Business Administration and Economics at the Freie Universität, Berlin.