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Download the Center for Mircofinance Leadership brochure. Also available in Spanish.

Why Gender Diversity Matters

Gender diversity matters in microfinance. WWB champions gender diversity because we believe that diverse perspectives lead to stronger decisions and healthier, more vibrant organizations. Incorporating women’s voices when designing and delivering microfinance products is particularly important when a majority of clients are women. Equally as important, microfinance clients often speak of the inspiration they derive from seeing powerful women leaders in the organizations that serve them. How best to achieve diversity? The answer lies in leadership and technical skill development of individual, high-potential leaders as well as in organizational transformations to ensure that all women and men work in environments where they can perform, excel and lead.

Featured Publication

“Transforming the Landscape of Leadership in Microfinance: Maintaining the Focus on Women” introduces WWB’s new methodology for helping MFIs support gender diversity at all levels of their institution. WWB has expanded its Women’s Leadership Development Program, which works with individuals, to include a tool that focuses on the challenges and opportunities microfinance institutions face in the attraction, retention, and promotion of qualified women staff members - the Organizational Gender Assessment. Now available in English and Spanish.

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Advanced Leadership Program

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Program Overview

This course targets senior executives and members of their teams occupying advanced leadership roles in microfinance institutions. The microfinance industry is in a period of intense dynamism with pressures and opportunities for change. There is a clear need for executives in the industry to enhance their knowledge, skills, and leadership capabilities. The complexity of the microfinance industry coupled with the changing global economic landscape necessitates a leadership program that is unique and transformational. Leaders in the industry need to understand how to think strategically in complex and changing environments, to have financial and social acumen and to be able to manage relationships with their clients, staff, and external actors (regulators, bankers, donors and other stakeholders). Leaders will need to communicate with passion about their mission and social and financial impact and build a dynamic and talented team in their organizations. Through a unique combination of peer learning and the latest approaches to strategy and leadership this program will help participants to build a network of support that will grow themselves, their institution and the microfinance industry.

Course Objectives

The course provides an opportunity to challenge executives to better understand their own leadership while offering experiences and the latest thinking that will help them to build a sustainable future and make a strong and lasting contribution to their own organizations and in the microfinance industry. The course design is based on a needs assessment which has identified current and future trends in the microfinance industry. Areas of focus may include:

  • Individual approach to leadership and the double bottom line
  • Strategic thinking in competitive and evolving environments
  • Leading institutional change
  • Creating value in negotiations
  • Managing talent and developing a succession plan
  • Effectively managing relationships with clients, staff, and external stakeholders

Program Details

  • Application Process: Applications will be considered from senior leaders from the top 200 microfinance providers worldwide (see ‘Application Information’ for list of eligible institutions). Participants are encouraged to bring members of their senior team to the course.
  • Program Costs: Program costs for each program include tuition, housing, breakfast and lunch, and course materials. A discount will be offered to institutions who send more than one participant to the program, or who submit applications for both the Advanced Leadership and Coaching programs. Once your application has been approved, you will be sent information on submitting the conference fee payment.
  • Hotel: Participants will be housed in the Aresty Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA. The Steinberg Conference Center at the Aresty Institute provides all of the amenities of a hotel, such as private bath, linens, color television, hair dryer, radio alarm clock, and daily housekeeping services. Laundry services are available for a fee. There is same-day service if dropped off at the front desk by 8:30 a.m. Check-in is anytime after 12:00 noon on the day before your program starts. Additional details will be provided once the individual’s application has been approved and registration has been completed.
  • Travel to Philadelphia: Participants are responsible for making all of their own travel arrangements to Philadelphia, including flights, visas (where applicable), and ground transportation to and from The Aresty Institute.
  • Meals: Breakfast and lunch are included as a part of the conference package.

For questions about the program, please contact the center: http://leadership.swwb.org/contact