FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, NY, March 1, 2010: Women’s World Banking (WWB), the world’s largest global network of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and banks dedicated to the economic empowerment of low-income women, today announced the appointment of Kathryn C. Mayer to Director of the Center for Microfinance Leadership (CML). Ms. Mayer brings more than 20 years of global private sector leadership development experience to CML.

“Kathryn has shown tremendous ingenuity in helping top level executives achieve their potential,” said Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president and CEO of Women’s World Banking. “She is truly a stellar addition to the Center for Microfinance Leadership, which plays a central role in developing strong female managers in the field of microfinance.”

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 Center collaborates with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Creative Metier Limited to design and deliver executive education programs in microfinance.

“This is truly a remarkable opportunity to join an organization that invests so heavily in female independence through business and leadership development,” Ms. Mayer said. “I am looking forward to building upon that legacy.”

Mayer has a proven track record of coaching high potential executives to help them succeed in new and challenging roles. Among her accomplishments include the creation of a leadership development program for women investment bankers. She led Citigroup’s Human Resources team in redesigning their performance review process and is the author of Collaborative Competition™: A Woman’s Guide to Succeeding by Competing, a tool to empower women to succeed through practicing healthy competition in the workplace.

Leadership programs organized by CML include “Women in Leadership,” aimed at women CEOs and senior managers, “Advanced Leadership,” aimed at men and women leaders of the top 200 microfinance institutions, and one-on-one coaching for a small cadre of leaders with the greatest potential to effect change.

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About Women’s World Banking (WWB)

WWB is a global network of 40 microfinance providers and banks, working in 28 countries to bring financial products and services to low-income entrepreneurs, especially women. The network serves over 20 million microentrepreneurs, 74% of whom are women. WWB’s international team based in New York delivers expertise in product design and distribution, access to capital markets, and customer care and insight. The network serves over 20 million micro-entrepreneurs. For more information on WWB, please visit its website at www.womensworldbanking.org.