This session is geared towards students or individuals interested in becoming more involved in the microfinance sector. Bring your resume and sit down for a personal review from a microfinance expert that can give you assistance on how to utilize your skill sets to help get into the microfinance industry. Participants will also learn about more ways to get involved in local microfinance by interning or volunteering.

Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) – Center For International Development

The Center for International Development at Point Loma Nazarene University exists to apply life-affirming business principles and practices to the complex challenges of global poverty. We place a particular emphasis on social enterprises that address areas of economic and social development. We provide students with resources and connections to engage in development projects abroad via internships, job opportunities, study abroad, and service trips. We assist students, faculty, and staff to attend and participate in conferences related to global poverty alleviation and social entrepreneurship.

Speaker: Rob Gailey, Associate Professor

Rob teaches in the International Development Studies major at Point Loma Nazarene University and serves as the faculty advisor to PLNU’s Microfinance Club. As Director of the Center for International Development, he is actively engaged in bringing awareness and solutions on social issues that impact our global economy. Rob also teaches a Microfinance 101 course in partnership with the San Diego Microfinance Alliance.

CDC Small Business Finance

CDC Loans offers both fixed-rate, low-down payment loans for the purchase of office and industrial buildings as well as a focused community loan program targeting women, minorities and veterans owning small businesses facing difficulty securing capital. CDC Loans champions its success to its ability to deliver unique capital “solutions” and strategizing with the client to assemble the most beneficial financing product. Loans range in size from $20,000-$500,000.

Speaker: Susan Lamping, Senior Community Loan Officer

Susan Lamping is the Senior Community Loan Officer at CDC Small Business Finance. She is one of the founding members of the Microfinance Alliance and has worked at the CDC for the last eight years.

ACCION

The mission of ACCION San Diego is to help expand opportunities for low to moderate income men and women through the provision of small loans. Loans range in size from $300-$35,000 and are coupled with individualized business consulting services. ACCION offers very flexible qualifications for loan recipients, however it is required that entrepreneurs must live or work within San Diego County.

Speaker: Elizabeth Makee, Executive Director

Elizabeth has been working with ACCION San Diego for 6 years in marketing, operations and management. She initially learned about microfinance on the international side researching ACCION International, a partner affiliate of ACCION San Diego who works in countries all across the world. She is passionate about the impact microfinance has on entrepreneurs, their families and communities and she was part of the team who founded the San Diego Microfinance Alliance 2.5 years ago.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

IRC San Diego is a refugee resettlement agency dedicated to humanitarian relief around the world and working in the San Diego area to directly resettle displaced persons into the community. The microenterprise department at the San Diego office is one of two in the nation giving business loans to resettled refugees from across the world. Loans range in size from $2,000-$15,000 and offer flexible repayment terms.

Speaker: Kasra Movahedi, Deputy Director of Programs

Kasra oversees all of IRC San Diego’s direct-service efforts. He has extensive experience in IRC San Diego’s Microenterprise, Financial Education, Tax Preparation, Employment, and Career Development Programs. Mr. Movahedi began his tenure with IRC SD as part of the Microenterprise Program in 2004, and provided direct service to disadvantaged entrepreneurs for two years before being promoted to manage the program. He has since helped to design and launch many of the additional programs presently operated by the IRC in San Diego. He fluent in Farsi and holds a Master’s degree in International Business from the University of Florida, Warrington School of Business.