MasterCard and Women’s World Banking create center for leadership
The MasterCard Foundation and Women’s World Banking announced the creation of a WWB Center for Microfinance Leadership. WWB is a global network of microfinance institutions and banks that are dedicated to the economic empowerment of low-income women. The MasterCard Foundation has donated $3.1 million to support the center.
The WWB Center for Microfinance Leadership will work with the Aresty Institute of Executive Education at the Wharton School on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania to create educational programs to help create new leaders in the microfinance industry.
“The cultivation of experience and diverse leadership in microfinance must be a priority in order for the industry to reach its full potential,” Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO of WWB said. “Strong leaders lead to stronger, more efficient institutions. Working together, WWB and The MasterCard Foundation will create a resource for leadership development in microfinance that will shape the next generation of successful managers and visionaries.”
The Center plans to offer leadership programs including: Women in Leadership, Advanced Leadership and on-on-one coaching for leaders selected to have the most potential to create change. The first Women in Leadership is planned for Jan. 2010 in Bangalore, India.
“The MasterCard Foundation believes that strong leadership will drive innovation and growth in the microfinance sector,” Reeta Roy, president and CEO of The MasterCard Foundation said. “This Center will develop leaders who will be at the forefront of creating new products and services to meet the needs of the poor.”
