MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Elizabeth Littlefield, Former CEO of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Confirmed As President and CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)

The United States Senate has confirmed President Barack Obama’s nomination of former CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Littlefield, to head the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a US government development organization working in 150 countries with a portfolio of USD 13 billion. Ms Littlefield had worked at CGAP, an independent policy and research center housed at the World Bank Group, since 2000. According to a CGAP press release, Ms Littlefield has served on the executive boards of the following organizations: Women’s World Banking (WWB), Profund, Africa International Financial Holding, the Mastercard Foundation, the Calvert Foundation and E+Co. She was sworn in as OPIC’s President and Chief Executive Officer on June 25, 2010.

By Julia Korn, Research Associate

About of Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP):

Housed at the World Bank Group, CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is an independent policy and research center dedicated to providing financial access for the world’s poor. CGAP is supported by approximately thirty development agencies and private foundations. Its mission is to provide market intelligence, to promote standards and to offer advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors and investors.

About Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC):

OPIC is an “independent U.S. government agency” that supports companies that invest in “less developed countries.” It provides financing through direct loans as well as guarantees, political risk insurance, and investment funds. It currently works in over 150 countries.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] CGAP. “CGAP CEO Littlefield to head Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).” http://www.cgap.org/p/site/c/template.rc/1.26.13718/

MicroCapital. “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: US President Obama Nominates CGAP CEO Elizabeth Littlefield for Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Presidency” on November 24, 2009. https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-us-president-obama-nomina…

MicroCapital Universe. CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor). https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=CGA…

MicroCapital Universe. Overseas Private Investment Corporation. https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Ove…

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