Leadership

Medha Wilson

Group Chief Executive Officer

Medha Wilson is the Chief Executive Officer at MicroLoan Foundation. In her current role she oversees the activities of MicroLoan’s operations in Africa and is responsible for developing the overall strategy of the Group. She serves on the board of the three MicroLoan subsidiaries in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Medha has extensive experience in financial inclusion in both senior operational and investment management roles in emerging and frontier markets, across Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Her expertise also includes establishing and scaling-up of greenfield operations, turnaround of struggling entities and governance. She also has considerable experience in engaging with a broad range of social and impact investors.

Medha is a Qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a degree in Econometrics and Mathematical Economics from The London School of Economics.

Mateo Zanetic

Regional Director and Chief Executive Officer Zimbabwe

Mateo Zanetic is the Regional Director of MicroLoan Foundation. In his current role he is responsible for operations management, which includes providing hands-on support to MLF CEOs in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Mateo serves on all three MLF subsidiaries. His responsibilities include providing guidance and troubleshooting in areas related to expansion to new operational areas and products, development of annual budgets and setting of performance targets for operational staff. Mateo heads the Social Performance Management function and is responsible for developing the evolving SPM framework and the reporting of SPM findings to both internal and external stakeholders. Currently, Mateo also serves as a CEO of MLF Zimbabwe.

Mateo has an extensive background in microfinance operations in Southern Africa, specifically in scale-up of activities, integrating social performance in operational decision-making and in people management.

He holds a degree in Management Accounting and Corporate Finance from Wits University.

Jack Ngoma

Chief Executive Officer Zambia

Jack Ngoma is Chief Executive Officer of MicroLoan Foundation Zambia. In his current role he is responsible for implementing strategic plans for Zambia operations, identifying partnership opportunities, and developing the local team.

Jack has vast experience in the microfinance sector. Prior to joining MicroLoan, he worked with a leading commercial microfinance institution in Zambia. Jack first joined MicroLoan in 2009 as the Finance Manager for Zambia before spending some time with our Malawian operation in 2013. Jack returned to Zambia and was appointed Chief Financial Officer, where he played a key role in the in the growth of the operations. He was promoted to his current role in 2018.

He is a chartered certified accountant, a member of the ACCA, has a BSc in accounting from Oxford Brookes university and is currently completing an MBA in finance with the University of London.

Davison Rakasi

Chief Executive Officer Malawi

Davison is an accomplished executive with over 15 years’ experience in banking and microfinance. Davison is currently the Chief Executive Officer at MicroLoan Foundation Malawi. Prior to joining MicroLoan Foundation, Davison worked as Interim CEO at a microfinance organisation after gaining significant exposure to operations, technology deployment, sales & marketing, strategy development, and project management in his previous role as Chief Operations Officer.

In his career to date, Davison has held various roles where he was responsible for leading initiatives that strengthened organisational risk management and compliance, as well as customer acquisition and retention. Davison holds a BSc in Accounting and an MBA from Malawi Institute of Management.

Steve Mark

Chair of MicroLoan Foundation USA

Steve Mark, CFA, CAP® serves as Board Chair of MicroLoan Foundation USA, the US arm of MicroLoan Foundation. He is also Head of Strategic Accounts at Fidelity Charitable, the nation’s leading Donor Advised Fund.

Steve is experienced in non-profit board leadership, supporting SDG goals including reducing poverty, creating gender equality, and creating decent work and employment. He is focused on providing financial literacy training, digital solutions, and microlending to female entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa. As an accomplished relationship management, distribution, and non-profit leader, Steve has extensive experience supporting philanthropy strategies for wealth advisory, accounting, law, and private capital firms and their clients.

Steve is a graduate of Union College, Schenectady, NY, and has an MBA from Boston University. He lives in the Boston area and enjoys music, skiing, and travel.

Malin Rosenkvist

Director and Group Director of Fundraising

Malin is Director of Fundraising & Communications at MicroLoan, responsible for managing relationships with high-value individual donors, ensuring that they have full insight into the impact of their philanthropic giving.

She brings ten years of experience in business development and fundraising in the international development sector to this role. Prior to joining MicroLoan, Malin worked with numerous charities focusing on education and poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa. Her expertise is major gifts, and she has a track record of setting up successful major donor programmes and developing impactful corporate partnerships.

In this role Malin also develops tailor-made partnerships, events and employee engagement opportunities for corporate funders to maximise the mutual benefits.

Malin has a degree in International Politics and Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London and has lived, worked and travelled extensively in sub-Saharan Africa.

Manish Somaiya

Managing Partner, Cereus Fund Management

Manish Somaiya is an award-winning Wall Street influencer and leader with a track record in launching and leading the expansion of leveraged credit research franchises for Citi, BofA Securities, and JP Morgan. Manish also conducted due diligence and internal and investor education on more than $50B in lead transactions as a critical financing team member.

As a trusted partner to the C-suite, investors, and stakeholders, Manish is well-known in the industry for his ability to create connections, finesse negotiations, and build consensus throughout his vast network. In addition, Manish is valued throughout the industry for his expertise in navigating uncertainty and volatility in the global financial markets and mediating an ever-changing regulatory environment while delivering innovative solutions in extremely competitive markets.

Manish graduated from the exclusive TRIUM Global Executive MBA program in 2020, earning an MBA degree awarded jointly by NYU Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the HEC Paris School of Management. Manish also earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Matt Zalosh

CIO of Boston Common’s International Strategies

Matt is CIO of Boston Common’s International Strategies. He also conducts investment research in the healthcare sector. Matt began his career at State Street Research and Management in Boston in 1995. From 1997 to 2001, he worked at Dodge & Cox in San Francisco, where he covered banks and REITS and helped the firm launch its international mutual fund.

Matt received his BA, cum laude, in Economics and International Studies from Colby College, and has an MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where he specialized in emerging markets and worked on development consulting projects in Mexico and Ecuador. Matt has lived in Spain and has travelled extensively in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. He previously served on the board of Primary Source, a non-profit that deepens global understanding in schools.

Brandy Carcoran Carlson

Financial Services Executive

Brandy has deep experience working with or advising high growth financial services companies. She has held executive-level positions leading business development, marketing, client relations and capital markets in banking and commercial real estate. Previously, she was head of the regional and community bank team for a fintech platform backed by The Carlyle Group and a consultant with KPMG and BearingPoint.

As part of Epic Advisory, Brandy advises mission-led real estate management teams on investor marketing and capital raising. She has a passion and focus on impact-led and ESG real estate strategies, which carries over into her nonprofit work emphasizing the empowerment of women and children with the tools needed to break the cycle of poverty. Ms. Carlson is also a board member of Generation Hope, a nonprofit that surrounds motivated teen parents and children with the resources needed to thrive in college, and is a member of the Finance Committee of the Connelly School of the Holy Child, an independent, Catholic college preparatory school for girls.

Brandy holds a Master of Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in International Business from American University. She lives with her husband outside of Washington, DC and is a proud mother of four children.

Rokaya Helfer

Director, Governance & Operations at Women's World Banking

Rokaya Helfer is the Manager for Governance & Operations at Women’s World Banking, a global NGO dedicated to advancing women’s financial inclusion and economic empowerment. Based in New York, Rokaya works closely with Women’s World Banking’s Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team to oversee all governance obligations and board initiatives, and leads various strategic activities for the Office of the President. Prior to joining Women’s World Banking, Rokaya worked at Richards, Kibbe & Orbe LLP and at West, Thomson Reuters. She holds a B.A. in History and International Affairs from Boston University.

Dan Healy

Chief Audit Officer, Group1001

Dan is a CPA / MBA, and currently the Chief Audit Officer at Group 1001. He has previously served as the Chief Audit Executive at two Fortune 500 multinational corporations and as Head of Audit at Guggenheim Partners. Dan’s nonprofit experience includes 20 years serving as Treasurer and Vice Chair of three nonprofits. He is a seasoned financial professional and qualified audit committee expert experienced in advising financial services and nonprofit boards. He is also a frequent speaker on corporate and nonprofit governance, as well as strategies to prevent fraud and embezzlement losses. Past speaking engagements include national and international conventions of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the United Way Worldwide Finance Talent and Technology Forum.

After receiving an accounting degree from Canisius College in Buffalo and working in public accounting, Dan earned an MBA from the University of Rochester Simon School of Business. He has previously worked at HSBC, GE, and the Brinks Company as the Chief Audit Executive. Today Dan holds the role of Chief Audit Officer at Group 1001. Group 1001 is a U.S. based financial services company with approximately $90B under management. Dan lives outside Chicago with his lovely wife and two children.

Isabelle Cole

Global Marketing and Communications Executive

Isabelle is a seasoned marketing and communications expert who has spent her career leading the marketing function for technology and professional services organizations, including both startups and large global companies such as Genpact, Sutherland Global Services and SAP Health. She has also spent years consulting at Gartner and Deloitte, focusing on developing and executing go-to-market strategies and creating customer-centric digital experiences.

Isabelle received her BA and Master’s in International Management from Toulouse Business School in France, and a MBA in Services Marketing from Arizona State University. She is originally from France and has traveled extensively. She has volunteered for the Caring Response Madagascar Foundation, where she joined medical teams in Toamasina to upgrade a maternity clinic, conduct bush clinics, and provide OB-GYN continuing education to midwives and doctors.

Isabelle currently lives in Boston. She enjoys traveling, being in nature, and staying active.

Jeff Stone

Western Regional Vice President for Ashford Securities

Jeff is Western Regional Vice President for Ashford Securities, prior to that he was co-founder and Managing Director – Sales at Clir Capital, a boutique investment banking firm specializing in the conceptualization, design and distribution of non-correlated investments. Prior to Clir Capital, Jeff worked at Evolv Capital partners as managing director for 4 years helping build out the alternative investment platform in the IBD and RIA channels. Jeff has a diverse background including managing national sales and west coast operations for MDS Energy in the same channel. His financial services career began at TIAA—CREF where he served as the Managing Director of Institutional Client Services as well Managing Director of Wealth Management for TIAA-CREF. At TIAA-CREF, Jeff helped drive the build out and national sales effort for the new wealth offering.

Jeff received a B.A. from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Denver. He lives in Centennial, CO with his wife and 2 children. He enjoys camping, fly-fishing, travel, and hiking. He holds his Series, 7, 24, and 63 licenses.

Sheena Jaffer

Strategic Advisor, Age Friendly

Sheena serves as Senior Associate, World Enabled, a mandate focused on building inclusive societies where people with disabilities and older persons can fully develop their talents and reach their full potential Prior to this, Sheena has served in senior management roles in the non-profit, academic and corporate sectors.

Sheena considers herself a global citizen with a mission to serve humanity. She speaks several languages and thrives in finding pathways for national/local governments; the international community and civil society to work collaboratively for greater good and sustainable impact.

Born in Tanzania, and having worked in international development, she has travelled the globe and has a deep commitment towards alleviating poverty and inequalities that lend to a better quality of life. Influenced by her parents and ingrained in her upbringing is the spirit of enterprise and determination to lift up the most vulnerable and marginalized. Over the years, Sheena has developed a reputation of creatively harnessing the human advantage through her ethical and practical hands-on approach in cultivating a purpose driven impact lens to drive meaningful change. Coupled with her down to earth humanistic and humorous style, she has been known for releasing fresh thinking and a positive approach in making things happen.

Cumulatively, Sheena brings over 25 years of management acumen and a conviction rooted in life experiences. She has demonstrated an impressive track record in leadership, advocacy, capacity building, forging institutional relationships and partnerships, spearheading multi-million dollar grassroots fundraising and resource development campaigns, empowering colleagues, managing and coaching thousands of volunteers and serving as the architect and implementer of large scale public events.

Colleen Vucinovich

President, Arch Interim Corporate Housing & Empire Décor Furniture Rental

Since returning to commerce as company president, to lead both companies to successful employee ownership, Colleen continues to serve as Visiting Faculty (Associate Professor of Business Administration) at Principia College. Her expertise encompasses Strategic Management and Organizational Effectiveness. While employed as full time continuing faculty, she served as Faculty Senate President and Department Chair of Business Administration and Economics at Principia. Colleen holds an MBA, and an MS in Strategic Planning from Edinburgh Business School, Scotland, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Business Administration from École des Ponts, Paris.

Previously, Colleen founded a cosmetic manufacturing company based in Johannesburg, South Africa and served as the CEO from 2001 to 2012. A South African with a rich and diverse career spanning 30 years, Colleen has strong ties to Southern Africa through family, friends, and former employees.

Liz Robinson

Principal and Chief Strategy Officer, LRobInspires

Liz has a true passion for change and creating beneficial experiences for people. That passion has culminated in a unique combination of executive leadership, brand strategy expertise, and business development acumen. She has had unique opportunities to work on causes she truly believes in helping families achieve their dream of higher education – helping non-profits build community centers and raising funds – helping woman-owned businesses expand their reach and foster new hope for positive change. Liz has a strong capability for motivating teams, growing audiences, positively adapting to change, and delivering on key promises. Her brand expertise has influenced organizations’ personalities and culture. It has also helped create memorable experiences that leave lasting impressions on employees, families, partners, contributors, and communities.

“I believe a mission-based organization is positioned well to have a meaningful impact on its audiences, to enhance partnerships, to move teams from hesitation into action, from doubt to belief, and ultimately create advocacy for life.”

Liz has been a leader in implementing strategic brand and marketing programs for over 30 years. She held leadership roles at Sallie Mae Bank, Upromise Investments, Fidelity Investments, Trinity Communications, and other leading financial firms and marketing agencies. Liz is now dedicated to inspiring non-profits, women-owned and small businesses, and start-ups to successfully grow, increase awareness, and make positive change. Over her career, she’s won numerous marketing awards, both personally and with her amazing teams.

Peter Ryan

Founder

Peter Ryan is the founder of MicroLoan Foundation. He spent much of his early career in marketing and setting up production for consumer goods, including ‘Old Spice’ ‘Imperial Leather Soap’ and ‘Duracell’, in Africa and parts of Europe.

His time spent travelling and working in Africa led Peter to look into ways business could support those living in poverty. In 1997 Peter visited the Philippines with a former college friend who was running a charity supporting some of the poorest people in the country. This visit sparked an interest to do more and by 1998 the idea for MicroLoan Foundation was born. Over the next four years Peter began fundraising and developing a strategy for operations. The first loans and training were made to women in Malawi in 2002.

Peter is a frequent speaker on microfinance, with a special interest in Africa and blending the need for financial professionalism and social change. He has a degree in International Marketing for Greenwich University.