Supporting Microfinance Efforts throughout San Diego
The 2015 San Diego Microfinance Summit brought together leading microfinance practitioners to discuss best practices surrounding the topic of client protection and client advocacy. Alex Rizzi, the Deputy Director at Smart Campaign shared valuable insights about how the principles of The Smart Campaign are being adopted by microfinance organizations around the globe to benefit entrepreneurs. The expert panel discussion gave event participants greater opportunity to understand the power of prioritizing the needs of those who benefit from microfinance-related products and services.
Leading microfinance practitioners, social entrepreneurs, and other community members participated in the 2014 San Diego Microfinance Summit to explore the expanding horizons of the microfinance industry. Larry Reed, the Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign, gave the keynote address and set the tone for a day of lively discussion and inspiration by reflecting on current needs within the microfinance industry. Innovative organizations such as Kiva, GiveDirectly, Edify and Puddle were featured during an interactive keynote panel session which was followed by two afternoon breakout sessions: The Changing Horizon of Local Micro Lending: Impact, Innovation, and Advocacy and Emerging Models: Returning to Traditional Ways of Saving and Sharing. The event presentations concluded with a discussion between Larry Reed and Chris Crane (CEO, Edify) about the intersection of microfinance and education.
Celebrating 5 years of furthering the reach and efficacy of microfinance in our region, the San Diego Microfinance Alliance (SDMFA) partnered with the University of San Diego (USD) to promote the TEDx AshokaU event while also offering unique microfinance-focused events such as a Microfinance Bus Tour and a networking reception. Participants of the Bus Tour climbed aboard a shuttle provided by an Iraqi refugee entrepreneur and visited several other local business owners who have benefited from access to capital and other forms of business support provided by microfinance organizations based in San Diego.
At the evening’s TEDx AshokaU event, internationally-acclaimed presenters shared innovative ideas that are affecting positive social change today. Included among the speakers was Chris Crane, of Edify. As leader in international microfinance, Chris shared his insights into the ways in which microfinance can be used as a tool to support affordable private schools in developing countries. Attendees of the TEDx AshokaU event were invited to continue the conversation at a networking reception sponsored by the SDMFA and featuring food provided by local entrepreneurs and beneficiaries of microfinance loans and related services. The evening was filled with conversations among local social entrepreneurs and thought-leaders as they explored new approaches to solving major social challenges such as poverty alleviation and greater access to capital for entrepreneurs.
With over 200 enthusiastic attendees, the 4th Annual San Diego Microfinance Summit was a day rich in both conceptual discussion and direct support of microfinance. The event focused on exploring cutting-edge developments in microfinance models and technological advances among borrowers and their lending microfinance institutions. Chris Dunford, Senior Research Fellow and former president of Freedom From Hunger gave the keynote presentation and emphasized the continued need for human connection even as technological advances are implemented in previously marginalized populations. Rob Gailey of Point Loma Nazarene University moderated a panel comprised of microfinance borrowers with the conversation focusing on their use of technology to reach their market and grow their businesses.
Afternoon breakout sessions were equally dynamic with topics ranging from the popular pricing of microfinance products to the most effective implementation of technology within microfinance institutions. Chuck Waterfield of Microfinance Transparency emphasized the importance of transparency among practitioners when determining pricing for loan programs among various populations. Discussions during the “Technology in Microfinance” session centered on the use of technology among microfinance institutions and the work that is being done to increase efficiencies and decrease overhead costs. The “Innovation in Microfinance Models” panel focused on new programs and initiatives being employed by organizations such as Erase Poverty, PCI, and the International Rescue Committee.
The 2011 San Diego Microfinance Summit focused on the need for access to capital for entrepreneurs living in the United States and exploring the types and levels of financing provided by domestic microfinance lenders. Event participants heard from Claudia Veik, CEO of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) as well as several local entrepreneurs who have received loans to help them launch or grow their businesses. Four afternoon breakout session were offered, covering a wide range of topics including: International Microfinance, Careers in Microfinance, Domestic Microfinance, and Microfinance and Holistic Development.
The San Diego Microfinance Alliance welcomed Yeardly Smith as the keynote speaker for the 2nd Annual San Diego Microfinance Summit. Smith is an Emmy award-winning actor, novelist and playwright who is best known as the voice of Lisa Simpson on the Emmy award winning television series The Simpsons. She is passionate about microfinance and shared about her experiences visiting with women in Haiti, both pre- and post-earthquake and addressed the impact of microfinance.As a donor and volunteer, Smith has partnered with Grameen Foundation on a special initiative geared toward expanding microcredit and related services to those living on less than a dollar a day. The keynote session was followed by a panel discussion focusing on impact the global economic meltdown is having upon the poor in developing countries and how different microfinance organizations are responding.
The first annual San Diego Microfinance Summit featured a keynote address given by Lynn McMullen who has been engaged in the field of microfinance for over twenty years with federal policy, advocacy, and program evaluation. More recently she has been working to develop programs for AIDS orphans, vulnerable youth and voluntary home based care networks in rural South Africa.
They keynote address was followed by panel discussions about microfinance efforts in San Diego and international microfinance. In addition, local microfinance borrowers shared their experiences and the ways in which having access to business capital helped them achieve their dream of entrepreneurship.