WWB Microfinance leadership Center hosts conference

Microfinance Focus, March 1, 2010: The Women’s World Banking (WWB) Center for Microfinance Leadership has announced its inaugural Advanced Leadership Workshop, co-designed with and hosted at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s Aresty Institute of Executive Education, from March 1 to 5.

The five day program will bring together 22 senior leaders and managers in microfinance from 16 institutions in 15 countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Latin America to enhance their knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities. This is the first Center workshop to be held in the United States since it was created last year, said a press release.

Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, said: “The Advanced Leadership Workshop is designed to help microfinance institutions and managers maximize their effectiveness which will in turn help to improve the financial wellbeing of millions of people around the world.”

WWB established the global Center for Microfinance Leadership in response to critical changes in microfinance—including increased commercialization, decreased presence of women staff at all levels of microfinance institutions and rapid growth—that demand skilled, trained leaders and managers.
The sessions will help these microfinance leaders communicate their mission, their social and financial impact and build dynamic and talented teams within their organizations.

The Advanced Leadership Workshop is the latest in a series organized by the Center. Additional leadership programs in 2010 will include a one-on-one coaching for a small cadre of leaders with the greatest potential to effect change, and a workshop designed to enhance management skills in microfinance.

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