Mark Coffey has been named the chief investment officer of Global Partnerships (GP), a Seattle-based non-profit that supports microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Latin America. Mr Coffey most recently served as President of ShoreBank Pacific, a US-based commercial bank that has a focus on environmentally sustainable community development. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of BRAC Bank, a development organization based in Bangladesh.

In his role as chief investment officer, a newly created position within GP, Mr Coffey will be responsible for GP’s microfinance investment funds, which mobilizes capital for MFIs in Latin America. According to Global Partnerships’ press release, “Coffey will direct both the capitalization of GP’s investment funds and the lending of capital to GP’s microfinance partners.”

“We are excited to have Mark join us to help lead Global Partnerships into our next era of growth and impact,” said GP President and CEO, Rick Beckett.

By: Christine Chang, Research Associate

About Global Partnerships (GP):

Global Partnerships (GP), established in 1994, is a US-based non-profit organization that supports microfinance institutions in Latin America. GP raises capital through a microfinance investment fund strategy. The company has staff based in Seattle, Washington, and Managua, Nicaragua. As of December 31, 2009, GP invests in 28 microfinance institutions that serve 812,000 borrowers.

About Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund:

Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund is a microfinance investment vehicle, which mobilizes capital for microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Latin America. Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund is comprised of a series of three funds. Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund 2005 is a USD 2.0 million fund. Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund 2006 is a USD 8.5 million fund. Global Partnerships Microfinance Fund 2008 is a USD 20 million fund.

Additional Resources:

Global Partnerships press release: Global Partnerships Announces Mark Coffey as Chief Investment Officer, April 27, 2010: http://www.globalpartnerships.org/sections/newsinfo/newsinfo_nr_CIO_Coffey.htm

MicroCapital Universe: Global Partnerships (GP): http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Global+Partnerships

MicroCapital Universe: Global Partnership Microfinance Fund: http://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Global+Partnerships+Microfinance+Fund

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