WWB LEADers

The WWB LEADers are a group of individuals who believe in WWB’s vision and mission and seek to support the organization as both advocates and ambassadors. The LEADers support WWB by fundraising and introducing WWB to individuals, foundations and corporations that are interested in a funding partnership.

“The LEADers program has been an opportunity of a lifetime to visit WWB affiliates in the Dominican Republic and Colombia. Meeting WWB clients enabled me to see first hand the positive impact that WWB is truly having on the daily lives of small business entrepreneurs. After the unscripted testimonials from WWB borrowers and the loyalty they profess to the organization it is without question that WWB is indeed making a difference and empowering women around the world.”

- Nicole Gresham Perry

The LEADers also work together to plan and organize WWB’s Annual Benefit Dinner. In return for their support, WWB provides the LEADers with opportunities to learn more about microfinance through a variety of events and lectures with leaders in the industry and by engaging the LEADers in the microfinance community.

In addition, the LEADers visit WWB network members abroad to witness firsthand how microfinance has empowered poor women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and, in turn, lift their families and communities out of poverty.

Get Involved

The WWB LEADers seek new members who are committed to the following:

  • Be an ambassador for WWB and raise awareness in the United States about the importance of empowering women through microfinance;
  • Engage in learning about WWB and microfinance;
  • Attend events, lectures and conferences with leaders in the industry;
  • Visit WWB members abroad and meet with program staff;
  • Fundraise and introduce WWB to individuals, foundations and corporations that might be interested in a funding partnership. Each LEADer must commit to give or get $5,000/year;
  • Help organize and sell tickets and tables to WWB’s Annual Benefit Dinner.

If you have reviewed the requirements above and would like to join the WWB LEADers, please fill out this brief questionnaire and we will be in touch with you shortly.

Our Trips

Each year the LEADers visit WWB network members abroad to gain firsthand knowledge of microfinance, meet clients and learn about challenges and opportunities facing the microfinance industry.

“I am a LEADer first because I really believe in the concept of microlending and Women's World Banking as an organization has really impressed me. Second, the opportunity to visit MFIs in Colombia and the Dominican Republic, and seeing how clients have tremendously benefit from this method of lending and change their lives and the lives of their family and community, has made my commitment to being a LEADer much stronger. I feel it is a perfect way to help with WWB's efforts and learn more about microfinance and its impact.”

- Rati Bahadur Madan

In April 2008, the first year of the group's inception, the LEADers visited Banco ADOPEM, the largest microfinance institution in the Dominican Republic. The trip included meetings with senior staff, including the Founder and CEO of Banco ADOPEM, Dra. Mercedes Canalda, to learn about the institution’s operations and about the state of the microfinance sector in the Dominican Republic. The group also visited rural branches and was able to meet several clients to hear how microfinance has impacted their lives.

In May 2009, the LEADers visited Fundación WWB Colombia, consistently rated as one of the most efficient and well-run microfinance institutions in the world. Clara Akerman, President of FWWB Colombia, graciously hosted the LEADers as they met with senior staff at the instituton, the Central Bank, and other women leaders in Colombia. The LEADers were able to meet several clients, including Maria (center right) who started her own business making and selling loofahs more than ten years ago with the assistance of a loan from FWWB Colombia. The trip was an opportunity for the LEADers to see firsthand how microfinance operates on the ground, and how institutions like FWWB Colombia have a direct impact on the lives of low-income women in Latin America. Read more about this trip as experienced by Maureen O'Toole.