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Where
We Work
Overview
: What We've Accomplished : Where
We've Been : When & Where
to Find Us
Project: Regional Study of Microfinance and the Poor
Location: Central Asia
Client: World Bank/DAI
- Study evaluated the MF markets in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, identified existing MF operations, selected highest potential MFIs, and conducted in-depth evaluations of these select programs to identify institutional-level gaps and constraints.
- Developed interview formats and data collection tools.
Project: MFI Assessment and Action Plan for Transformation
Location: Cambodia
Client: Catholic Relief Services
- Assessed products and services for MFI.
- Drafted matrix outlining current situation and provided detailed recommendations on product and service improvements.
- Developed action plan for product and service changes for newly regulated entity.
- Conducted training on product design and review.
Project: MFI Marketing and Product Design Strategy 
Location: Cambodia
Client: Ennatien Moulethan Tchonebatt
- Evaluated current marketing and product strategy and structure of EMT, a registered MFI serving over 80,000 rural clients.
- Conducted workshops on client-centered product design and pilot testing.
- Drafted recommendations for structure and objectives of newly formed marketing department.
Project: MFI Operations Manuals
Location: China
Client: World Bank
- Guided management of a leading Chinese MFI in drafting an operations manual to formalize and standardize policies and procedures.
- Introduced industry best practices in the areas of credit, accounting, administration, and internal controls.
Project: MFI Marketing and Product Design Strategy
Location: India
Client: Grameen Foundation USA
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Worked with GF USA to develop a strategy and proposal seeking USAID funding to support a partnership between GF USA, ICICI Bank and Citigroup India to create ÎGrameen Capital India Pvt. Ltd.â (GCI).
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GCI will be a sustainable Non-Bank Finance Company registered with the Reserve Bank of India with the objective of significantly increasing the number of poor clients reached by MFIs in India by integrating them into the formal financial markets.
Project: Microleasing Product
Location: Indonesia
Client: ILO
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Designed, developed, and pilot-tested microleasing product using Islamic lending principles with a cooperative in Banda Aceh.
With local staff, conducted market research, pre-qualified equipment vendors, drafted policies, procedures, and transaction analysis tool.
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Developed strategic plan and incentive system.
Project: Training Needs Survey
Location: Laos
Client: IFC
Project: Consulting and Business Plan for Rural Lending Program and Apex Institution
Location: Mongolia
Client: World Bank
- As part of the World Bank Sustainable Livelihoods Program, developed a business plan for the Mongolian state-run Microfinance Development Fund to make wholesale loans to bank and non-bank financial institutions providing microcredit in rural areas.
- Conducted survey and analyzed Rural Lending Facility, a decentralized small business lending program operating in the secondary and tertiary cities through local government offices.
- Proposed changes to the operating policies and procedures for both funds.
- Organized and conducted a workshop on best practices in rural microfinance for banks and non-bank financial institutions.
Project: Strategy and Proposal for Strengthening Microfinance Sector
Location: Vietnam
Client: Grameen Foundation USA
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Conducted research and extensive interviews in Vietnam with banks, governmental entities, NGOs, and donors to structure a program that would address the weaknesses of the sector.
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Developed and drafted strategy for reform: 1) to develop a microfinance NGO forum to promote sector interests and standards and 2) to use two Vietnamese NGOs as demonstration projects to develop, pilot and document an approach to spinning off self-governing microfinance NGOs from state bodies in Vietnam.
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Drafted proposal, projections, and budget for USAID proposal to achieve the same.
Project: Legal Due Diligence and Technical Support
Location: Timor-Leste
Client: DAI USAID
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Conducted legal and regulatory study of microfinance for the Dezenvolve Sector Privadu project.
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Provided technical support to CRS affiliate, Tuba Rai Metin.
Project: Technical Design for Commercialization 
Location: Kyrgyzstan
Client: FINCA International/IFC
- Designed $8mm investment plan for the transformation of MFI into a commercial microfinance bank.
- Project design included two components: a special purpose vehicle for initial capitalization and an equity investment in the new commercial institution with a two-tier shareholder structure.
- Conducted planning session with Kyrgyz staff and wrote five-year strategic plan for the transformation.
Project: Case Study of Bank Downscaling
Location: Egypt
Client: DAI/USAID
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Investigated and analyzed the introduction and roll out of microcredit at Banque du Caire, a state-owned retail bank.
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Drafted comprehensive case study highlighting strategies, results, and lessons learned.
Project: Merger Feasibility Study
Location: Palestine
Client: Chemonics/USAID
- Conducted in-depth on-site operational and financial study of three Palestinian MFIs operating in the West Bank and Gaza.
- Provided analysis of a possible merger, including financial projections utilizing various scenarios.
- Presented key recommendations on merger structure and process.
Project: USAID Implementation Grant Evaluation
Location: Ethiopia
Client: World Vision/USAID
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Conducted an extensive evaluation of the expansion, decentralization, product development, and rural lending activities of World Visionâs affiliate WISDOM Microfinance Institution.
Project: Final Evaluation of Microenterprise Sector Support Program
Location: Kenya 
Client: DAI/USAID
- Team leader for three-week evaluation of $1.8mm USAID-funded microenterprise sector-wide development program.
- Conducted impact assessment of eight critical areas, including an MFI training program, an MFI assessment tool, and the development of a local practitioner network.
- Provided recommendations for next phase of project.
Project: Microfinance Sector Effectiveness Study
Location: Uganda
Client: CGAP
- Developed methodology and conducted sector-wide study to determine the effectiveness of donors, government, and MFIs in developing the microfinance industry.
- Co-authored study highlighting drivers of effectiveness and elements of effective collaboration between stakeholders.
Project: Performance Monitoring Review
Location: Uganda
Client: CGAP/GTZ/USAID/AMFIU
Project: Evaluation of Financial Sector Deepening Project
Location: Uganda
Client: DFID
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Analyzed structure, strategy, and performance of the FSD project.
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Made recommendations on governance, legal structure and initiatives as well as strategy for extending the projectâs life in order to build on its success and momentum.
Project: Evaluation of Financial Sector Deepening Trust
Location: Tanzania
Client: DFID
Project: Financial Management Manual Development and Training
Location: Ghana
Client: Tennessee Valley Infrastructure Group/Electric Company of Ghana
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Developed financial management module of a rural certification program used by the Electric Company of Ghana.
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Authored a financial management manual.
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Designed and delivered training to small- and medium enterprises applying to serve as contractors for power grid extension and maintenance.
Project: Micro and Small Enterprise Support Project Design
Location: Montenegro
Client: CHF/USAID
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Developed and conducted survey on constraints to small and microenterprise growth in Northern Montenegro, including value chain analysis.
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Surveyed demand and supply of microfinance and business development services in the North.
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Proposed interventions to address constraints to growth, increase MSE access to credit, and generate employment as a component of a Community Revitalization Project.
Project: Microfinance Sector Support Program
Location: Russia
Client: DAI/USAID
- Designed grants facility including policies, procedures, and all required documentation for Russian Microfinance Sector Support Program.
- Determined and drafted eligibility criteria, selection process, evaluation methodology, selection criteria, and monitoring regime.
- Conducted feasibility study for a loan fund for MFIs.
- Developed and participated in annual conferences.
Project: Internal Controls Assessment
Location: Russia
Client: Opportunity International/DFID
- Conducted on-site review of internal control and internal audit procedures of OI's MFI affiliate, FORA.
- Reviewed organizational structure, financial and credit policies and procedures, human resources, and MIS to determine the strengths and weaknesses in FORA's branch network.
- Conducted sample tests to verify compliance with policies and procedures and evaluated the accuracy and completeness of FORA's financial and performance reports, as well as their adequacy for use by senior management for monitoring purposes.
- Provided recommendations for additional risk-mitigating internal controls.
Project: Bilateral Task Force on Microfinance and Small Business Development
Location: US Congress and Russian Duma
Client: FINCA/DAI
- Team member for design of a two-year study program for members of Russian Duma and US Congress to explore ways to support and advance microfinance and small business development in Russia.
- Program included quarterly workshops and two annual conferences to examine regulatory, legal, and financing issues.
- The project promotes an inclusive public-private discussion of the sector, develops a set of recommendations that will improve the micro- and SME environment, and increases the level of attention the Duma provides to micro- and SME-related legislative issues.
Project: MFI Evaluation and Design of Monitoring Tools
Location: Ukraine
Client: DAI/USAID
- Designed process for evaluating and developing MFI technical assistance plans for the BIZPRO MFI sector-wide support project.
- Created self-assessment tool and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation tool and trained staff in financial and operational evaluations.
- Developed training manual for strategic and operational planning and conducted training of trainers.
- Analyzed and investigated market for SME fund in Ukraine and designed MFI window for fund.
Project:
MFI Evaluation and Selection for Technical Assistance Project
Location: Bolivia
Client: DAI/USAID
- Developed
evaluation tools and methodology for technical assistance program,
SEFIR, to increase microfinance services nationwide in rural and
underserved markets.
- Completed
financial analysis of banks, non-banks, and NGOs and conducted
on-site interviews with staff and clients.
- Drafted
market analysis identifying technical assistance needs and recommended
appropriate strategies.
Project:
Creation of MFI Managers' Manual
Location: Brazil
Client: PDI/BNDES
- Wrote a 200-page manual on MFI management for the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), including chapters on: risk management, product design, business planning, portfolio management, asset/liability management, and financial reporting and analysis.
Project:
Village Banking Best Practices Training
Location: El Salvador
Client: DAI FOMIR/USAID
- Designed
and conducted three-day best practices training seminar for the
credit department of ASEI, a Salvadoran MFI, focused on: formation
of village banks, establishment of group solidarity and arrears
prevention and recovery.
Project:
MFI Systems Development
Location: Guatemala
Client: FINCA International
- Designed
procedures and documentation for credit operations, credit officer
incentive systems, and loan recovery procedures.
- Provided
training to credit staff.
Project:
MFI Strategic Planning
Location: Haiti
Client:
FINCA Haiti
Project:
Due Diligence for MFI Merger 
Location: Haiti
Client: DAI
- Conducted
a due diligence for purchase of the loan portfolio of the Mennonite
Economic Development Associates (MEDA Haiti).
- Final
report included a valuation of the loan portfolio with consideration
of loan portfolio quality and internal controls system.
Project:
Restructuring/Interim Management of Credit Operations
Location: Honduras
Client: FINCA Honduras
- Acted
as interim operations manager while restructuring credit department
of one of the largest Honduran MFIs, FINCA Honduras.
- Implemented
new reporting procedures and forms and provided training to credit
officers, supervisors, and branch managers.
- Revised
methodology and improved monitoring and collection procedures
to reduce portfolio at risk.
Project: Inner Cities Basic
Services Project
Location: Jamaica
Client: World Bank
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Designed
microfinance component as part of a larger utilities project
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Incorporated an output-based aid mechanism to provide incentives
for banks, cooperatives and MFIs to expand financial services into
impoverished inner-city communities.
Project: MFI Evaluation and Strategic Planning
Location: Mexico
Client: World Bank/NAFIN
- Participated in appraisal mission to evaluate the microfinance component of a $5mm private sector development project supporting micro and small business in the Yucatan.
- Evaluated performance and capacity of a microfinance program, Buenaventura, operated by the state government of Campeche.
- Drafted a three-year strategic plan and budget as well as a six-month technical assistance plan to prepare program to access World Bank funds.
Project: Business
Plan and Board Development
Location:
Mexico
Client:
DAI/USAID
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Developed business plan with staff of AlSol, a
multipurpose NGO in Chiapas, that included strategic plan and
one-year operating plan with Microfin projections and budget.
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Advised on improving Board oversight.
Project:
Operations Manual and Incentive System Development
Location:
Mexico
Client:
DAI/USAID
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Led the revision and redesign of operational
processes, policies and procedures for AlSol Chiapas. Authored the
new Operations Manual.
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Developed a field-staff incentive system.
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Facilitated creation of branch office expansion
strategies, policies and procedures.
Project:
Country-Level Donor Effectiveness and Accountability Review
Location: Nicaragua
Client: CGAP
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Conducted
a Country Level Effectiveness and Accountability Review (CLEAR) of
donor activity in microfinance in Nicaragua (as part of a team).
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Focused on
donor systems, communication flows, and practices against the
backdrop of current financial systems in order to identify gaps
and recommend interventions building on respective donor
comparative advantages.
Project: Design of Microfinance Technical Assistance Project
Location: Nicaragua
Client: World Bank
- Designed technical assistance project for Nicaraguan MFIs to promote and assist transformation into formal institutions and developing innovative ways to increase access to financial services in underserved areas.
- Drafted the operational manual, budget and three-year plan for project.
Project: Final Evaluation of Rural Financial Services Extension Project
Location: Paraguay
Client: IFAD
- As part of team, conducted final evaluation of $8mm IFAD project aimed at extending microfinance services throughout rural Eastern Paraguay.
- Responsibilities included measuring completion of financial and outreach targets, operational efficiency and internal controls.
- Developed evaluation tools and methodology.
Project:
USAID Matching Grant Midterm Evaluation
Location: El Salvador, Philippines, Senegal
Client: CRS/USAID
- Conducted in-depth strategic and operational evaluation of Catholic Relief Services’ implementation of a USAID matching grant.
- Assessed progress of three institutions (El Salvador, Philippines, and Senegal) through on-site visits and facilitation of employee workshops based on the US Commerce Department's Baldridge Criteria.
- Conducted interviews and analysis of headquarter operations and overall agency ability to transform microfinance partners into formal financial service providers.
- Provided critical recommendations for completion of the project.
Project:
USAID Matching Grant Final Evaluation
Location: Guatemala, Senegal
Client: CCF/USAID
- Conducted
in-depth strategic and operational evaluation of Christian Children's
Fund's implementation of a USAID matching grant.
- Completed
on-site assessments of two credit unions (Senegal) and an MFI
(Guatemala), as well as the CCF headquarters' Microenterprise
Development Unit.
- Provided
key recommendations for improvement of microenterprise support
programs.
Project:
USAID Matching Grant Final Evaluation
Location:
Perú, Nicaragua, Bolivia
Client: Pro Mujer/USAID
- Conducted
in-depth strategic and operational evaluation of Pro Mujer International's
implementation of a USAID matching grant.
- Assessed
progress of Pro Mujer Peru and Bolivia through on-site visits.
- Analyzed
institutional capacity of headquarters and provided key recommendations
for future growth.
Project: MFI Rating Tool
Revision
Location:
USA, Bolivia, Cambodia, Nicaragua
Client:
CRS
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Revised the scope
and scoring of CRS network’s MFI rating.
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Recommended and
incorporated changes to strengthen criteria related to financial
performance and condition, internal controls, and outreach to the
very poor.
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Participated in
three test accreditations and refined tool based on results.
Project:
Institutional
Portfolio Review
Location:
Global
Client:
CGAP
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Conducted review of
Inter-American Development Bank’s global microfinance portfolio
over the past 15 years.
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Analyzed results to
determine effectiveness of IDB small projects program relative to
other donors.
Project:
Design of Reporting System for Grantees
Location:
Global
Client:
European Union/CGAP
Project:
Technical Assistance Strategy Development
Location:
Global
Client:
IFC
Project:
Development of
Institutional Strategy for Strengthening Social Performance
Location:
Global
Client:
Save the Children
Project:
Facilitation of Financial Services and Poverty Assessment Working Groups
Location: Global
Client: Small Enterprise Education and Promotion Network (SEEP
Network)
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Manage working
groups of microfinance practitioners on issues related to MFI
financial management, board training, poverty, client assessment,
and social performance.
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Publish working
papers, technical notes, studies and develop and conduct
workshops.
Project: Social Performance Task Force Facilitation
Location: Global
Client: CGAP
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Manage 100+member
task force, bringing together practitioners, donors, investors,
and raters in the microfinance industry to agree on a common
social performance framework and standards.
Project:
Matching Grant Mid-term Evaluation
Location:
USA
Client:
SEEP Network
- Evaluated SEEP’s
institutional capacity and viability as well as its effectiveness
in meeting member needs.
- Provided
recommendations on enhancing outreach to partners in the field.
Project: Management of AMAP Financial Standards Promotion Project
Location: USA
Client:
USAID/SEEP Network
Project:
Microfinance and Development Course Instruction
Location: USA
Client: Johns Hopkins University, SAIS and Georgetown
University, MSFS
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