Board

KIMANTHI MUTUA

CHAIR

Kimanthi Mutua is the founder of K-Rep Bank Limited, the first NGO microfinance institution in Africa to be transformed into a regulated commercial bank specializing in microfinance. He served as the Managing Director of K-Rep Bank from 1999 to 2010, growing the bank from a staff of 80 to over 550 today, a balance sheet of shs 500m to over shs 7.2 billion, and the number of customers from 6,000 to over 300,000. As co-founder of the K-Rep Group - a leading private development organization, Mr Mutua has devoted close to three decades to designing and implementing viable and sustainable microcredit and savings strategies. Coupled with his extensive experience in microfinance operations, Mr Mutua also has a large leadership and management experience spanning over 25 years. Experienced in the building, the transformation, and the governance of institutions in the microfinance industry, Mr Mutua has provided consulting and advisory services to various institutions worldwide. A published author, Mr Mutua serves on several boards and advisory committees.

TAMAR LEBANIDZE

VICE-CHAIR

Tamar Lebanidze is Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of JSC Constanta, a leading microfinance institution in Georgia. She is the Executive Director of the Association of Georgian Microfinance Organizations. Ms Lebanidze was the Minister of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia and a Member of the Georgian Government from February 2004 until February 2005. She has been the Executive Director of Constanta Foundation from its beginnings in 1997 and has contributed greatly to the development of microfinance in Georgia. Ms Lebanidze has worked for 12 years as a scientist at the Institute of Physiology of the Georgian Academy of Science and 2 years as a professor at the Tbilisi State University. She is the author of several publications both in physiology and microfinance. Ms Lebanidze holds a Master of Science degree in Biology from the Tbilisi State University and a graduate diploma from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking (American Banker’s Association) at the University of Pennsylvania.

RUTH EGGER-TSCHAEPPELER

Ruth Egger-Tschäppeler has been working in rural development for over thirty years in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. As the Deputy Manager of Intercooperation, Bern she headed its rural economic sector for many years. Her expertise covers the financial sector and institutional development. Prior to her assignment with Intercooperation, she worked for several years for the Swiss Development Cooperation in Nepal and Bolivia. Ms Egger is a Swiss national. She holds a PhD degree in Economics and Econometrics from the University of Zurich.

ROSHINI FERNANDO

Roshini Fernando is a national of Sri Lanka. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds an Honors Degree in Economics from the University of London. She is currently the Deputy Program Coordinator and Senior Microfinance Specialist of the GTZ-ProMiS (Promotion of the Microfinance Sector) in Sri Lanka, a multi-level program providing technical assistance to the microfinance sector. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Stromme Microfinance Asia (Ltd). Ms Fernando joined GTZ after 15 years in Sri Lanka’s financial sector where she worked in development banking, investment banking, business consultancy, and investment research.

NINA NAYAR

Nina Nayar is an independent consultant with a range of experience including policy and advocacy, human resource development, institutional development services, strategic planning, product design and social performance management in over 30 countries worldwide. Ms Nayar has provided both advisory and consulting services to a range of institutions, including government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors. She currently serves on the Board of ECLOF International and provides advisory support to network-strengthening initiatives of SEEP and ADA. She has been a supporter of the BWTP program since its establishment. Prior to consulting, Ms Nayar served as CEO of the South Asia Network of Microfinance Initiatives and INAFI International and was the Asia Regional Coordinator/Acting Policy and Advocacy Coordinator for WWB/NY. Ms Nayar holds an MA from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) in Regional Studies with a focus on Gender and Development and a BA in Social and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Virginia (USA). Ms Nayar is an Indian national based in Cochin (South India).

JAMES NEAL

As the Executive President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of Heifer International, James Neal leads Heifer’s finance, human relations, legal, facilities, and information technology efforts. He joined the Board of ECLOF International in July 2010, bringing in over a quarter-century of wide-ranging knowledge and skill in corporate financial management, including hands-on experience in fields ranging from Financial Planning and Analysis, Global Treasury, and Internal Control. Mr Neal has worked at Fortune 500 companies such as Ford Motor Corporation, Baxter International and Tenneco Inc. (JI Case Division). Moreover, he established a financial advisory firm whose practice included corporate and governmental support on multinational transfer pricing schemes, debt restructuring alternatives, and international finance. Using a fellowship grant from the Ford Foundation, Mr Neal earned a BBA from the University of Wisconsin. He also acquired an MBA from the University of Wisconsin with emphasis in finance and accounting, and a BSc in International Economics from Northwestern University.

ABAGAIL NELSON

Abagail Nelson is the Senior Vice President for Programs at Episcopal Relief & Development. She has worked throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the United States and with the worldwide Church, responding to disasters, alleviating hunger, fighting disease, and reducing exposure to risk. Ms Nelson earned an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA cum laude from Harvard College. The daughter of an Episcopal priest, Ms Nelson lives in New York with her husband and her daughter where they are active members of the Episcopal Church.

NILS-GUNNAR SMITH

Currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ECLOF International and of Oikocredit’s Nomination Committee, Nils-Gunnar Smith started his career at the Swedish Savings Banks. He is now retired, but from 1997 to 2007 Mr Smith was a Microfinance Adviser at the Church of Sweden’s International Department. One of his main duties was to support the establishment of SACCOs (Saving and Credit Cooperatives) in southern Africa. In 1999 he was elected as a Board Member of ECLOF International and in 2004 as a Member of the Executive Committee. Mr Smith was also appointed Microfinance Adviser to the LWF/World Services from 2003 to 2007. In this position and as a Board Member of ECLOF, he felt that it was important to encourage the organization of microfinance meetings within the ecumenical network, not just in Geneva but above all in the field. During his active years, Mr Smith has seen so many good examples of what a small loan can do to improve the living standards of a family or to raise the self-awareness of women that he profoundly believes in the adage: “Help to Self-help”.

ADA WISCOVITCH CARLO

Ada Wiscovitch Carlo was born in Puerto Rico. She has lived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic since 1969. Ms Wiscovitch Carlo studied Economics at the University of Puerto Rico (magna cum laude). Throughout her career, she has worked for local and international private commercial banks. Ms Wiscovitch Carlo has also been the Executive Director of the Fundación Dominicana de Desarrollo, a microcredit NGO. Besides serving on the Board of ECLOF, she is a member of the Board of BanReservas, a Dominican government-owned commercial bank, and is the Chair of its Audit Committee. She also currently sits on the Board of SERVIR’D, a Jesuit NGO, and of the Fundación por la Música, a foundation that promotes musical education for gifted students. She is the Chair of the Patronato del Parque Nacional Manantiales del Cachón de la Rubia, one of the largest protected areas in Santo Domingo.