MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion, Harvard Business School to Offer Joint Education Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance, Applications Due by December 31, 2015

The Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), an affiliate of the US-based nonprofit Accion that aims to promote universal financial access, and the Harvard Business School (HBS) have announced that they will offer a joint executive education program entitled ‘Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance’. The program will seek applications from individuals who are “shaping the microfinance industry”[1] including chief executive officers of microfinance institutions (MFIs) and executives of “mainstream banks” [1] operating in the microfinance market.

The purpose of the program is to provide management and leadership training to participants through an “intensive immersion into the microfinance industry” [1]. The curriculum will focus on challenges in the field of microfinance including “succeeding in highly competitive financial sectors; balancing a social focus in a commercial setting; reaching new business segments; and evolving products and delivery channels” [1]. Courses will be taught by HBS faculty and Accion practitioners, with a focus on the HBS’ case method approach to learning, which includes “guided case discussions” [1].

The program will take place between March 28 and April 2, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. Applications are due by December 31, 2015.

The application is available at http://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/collaborators-a-sponsors/harvard-business-school-accion/hbs-application.

For additional information, you may contact the program managers via email at hbsaccion[at]accion.org or the HBS Executive Education Admissions office by telephone at 1 800 427 5577.

As of March 2015, Accion, in association with its partner MFIs, has an active loan portfolio of USD 7.54 billion that serves approximately 5.33 million borrowers. As of December 2013, Accion reported total assets of USD 351 million. As of 2014, HBS had over 9,000 students enrolled in Executive Education programs.

By Meredith Steih, Research Associate

About the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion

The Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion (CFI) was established in 2008 within US-based nonprofit Accion to promote universal financial access. The center works to bring together relevant parties to perform research, produce publications and develop campaigns to further its goal of increasing financial inclusion. The mission of Accion is to alleviate poverty by providing financial products such as microenterprise loans and business training. As of March 2015, Accion, in association with its partner MFIs, has an active loan portfolio of USD 7.54 billion that serves approximately 5.33 million borrowers. As of December 2013, Accion reported total assets of USD 351 million.

About Harvard Business School (HBS)

Harvard Business School (HBS) is an institution of higher education located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school was established in 1945 and it offers academic programs in the fields of business administration, business operations, leadership and other business disciplines. As of 2015, HBS has 9,000 students. Also as of 2015, the institution is establishing an executive education program entitled  ‘Program on Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance’ in partnership with Accion, the US-based nonprofit organization.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] HBS-Accion Program  Overview: http://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/collaborators-a-sponsors/harvard-business-school-accion/overview

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Center for Financial Inclusion

MicroCapital Universe Profile: Harvard Business School

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