PAST 2018 EVENTS
JUNE 26, 2018: CONVERSATION OVER DINNER
We invite you to attend our next "Conversation over dinner" event on June 26th. We will be joined by three exciting guest speakers from across the fields of impact investing, grant making and social entrepreneurship. Join our amazing guests, fellow WAMNY members and WAMNY Steering Committe to network and learn more about our guest speakers backgrounds, their work and what they are doing to advance women's leadership!
Guest Speakers:
Liz Fernandes, Impact Improvement Senior Associate, B Lab
Mugdha Gangopadhyay, Deputy Director of Development, American India Foundation
Reshma Patel, Executive Director, Impact Network
Event Format: Intimate conversation with guest panelist and other 3-4 inspiring women. Speakers will be seated one per table. Please select the speaker whose table you would like to join upon registering.
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 26 2018, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Private location - East 32 Street between Madison and Park Avenues.
Location details will be disclosed to dinner attendees upon registration.
Price: $35 per person*
Menu: Dinner will be catered buffet style by Dig Inn. Vegetarian/vegan options will be available. To get a peek at the type of food we will serve, you can view their menu here.
*Please be mindful that space is limited and WAMNY will not be able to provide refunds on tickets.
2017 EVENTS
HAPPY HOUR & GAME NIGHT
Start the new year off among friends: join the WAMNY community at our first happy hour of 2018 on January 17th! Come in out of the cold for games, inspirational conversations and a variety of international beers.
This month, we will be joined by WAMNY member Kerrlene Wills who will show us what it is like to be part of a savings group and trying to maintain a livelihood for your family on $2/day. Kerrlene developed Tawala - a simulation game to teach participants what it is like to be part of a rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) - as part of her graduate program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Our happy hour location this month will also have some traditional board games and 27 beers on tap. We hope to see you and your friends there!
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Holiday Networking Dinner - 12/6
WAMNY invites you to attend a Holiday Networking Dinner on Wednesday, December 6th! We will be joined by four exciting guest speakers from across the fields of financial inclusion, financial services, and fintech for a conversation over dinner. Join the WAMNY Steering Committee and fellow WAMNY members to network and learn more about the work our guest speakers are doing to advance financial inclusion and women's leadership!
Guest Speakers:
Kiana Daniel - Financial Literacy/Career Coach, CEO at InvestDiva
Corey Pargee - Chief Operating Officer at FirstAccess
Lara Storm - Director of Advisory Services, Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative at BRAC
Additional speaker to be confirmed
Event Format: Speakers will be seated one per table. Please select the speaker whose table you would like to join upon registering.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6th, 2017, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Maria Pia, 319 West 51st Street, New York, NY 10019
Price: Prix Fix Menu (3 courses) - $45 per person (includes tax + tip)*;
*Drinks not included but available for purchase separately
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DEFINING IMPACT:
A DIALOGUE ON MEASUREMENT IN MICROFINANCE AND IMPACT INVESTING
We invite you to attend a panel discussion and networking event on Tuesday, October 17th! This exciting event will focus on the topic of Defining Impact: A Dialogue on Measurement in Microfinance & Impact Investing, and will feature a diverse panel of leaders in the impact measurement space across financial inclusion and financial services.
Panelists:
Jennifer Wu, Director of Impact Investing, BlackRock
Polly Kelekis - Chief Operating Offer, The MicroDreams Foundation
Yrenilsa Lopez - Investment Officer, Women's World Banking Capital Partners
Leticia Emme - Director, Operations & Social Investor Working Group, Social Performance Task Force
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 17th, 6:15-8:30pm
Location: BlackRock - 55 East 52nd Street - Park Avenue Plaza - Room 7A
Read our post-event roundup here!
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March 2017
Fulbright Tour: Entrepreneurship in Washington Heights.
As part of a brand new program in partnership with Women Advancing Microfinance NY (WAM NY) and One to World we organized a visit to Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union to learn about their important work promoting financial inclusion in low-income areas. In addition, to hear firsthand from NTFCU staff about their accomplishments, challenges, and goals, six Fulbright scholars visited local businesses funded by the credit union, to meet with the owners and learn about why they went to NTFCU instead of a bank for a small business loan.
Concluding the visit with a discussion on the small business sector in NYC and the resources provided by NTFCU and the Columbia SBDC helped tie together all of the earlier visits and situate those experiences within the greater economic landscape. The grantees learned so much from this visit and some of their feedback demonstrates the impact of this visit:
“It was very interesting and well organized day! I learned new things about community empowerment. The highlight for me was meeting the Woke Food owners and learning how much empowering women can impact the community. I learned that if you are planning to own a business it's important to choose the right partners, and get a business mentor that would direct and help you to achieve your goals. It was great to meet a group of inspirational people who follow their dreams and help others to achieve theirs.” –Fulbright student at Fairleigh Dickinson University
2016 EVENTS
NOVEMBER 14 2016
FINANCIAL INCLUSION: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES IN THE U.S. CONTEXT
Women Advancing Microfinance – New York (WAMNY) brought together financial inclusion experts from New York City for a panel discussion and networking event. The goal of this event was to raise awareness about financial inclusion and promote an open discussion about key financial inclusion strategies and challenges faced when working with low and middle income communities in the United States. The topic of financial inclusion is often discussed in the global or emerging markets context, and WAMNY set out to shed light on the unique challenges faced by practitioners. This panel discussion addressed the following:
Panelists:
Adria Schmidt
Associate Director of Programs, Partnerships, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners
Alicia Portada
Co-chair of the Board, New Immigrant Community Empowerment
Tanya Ladha
Senior Manager, Center for Financial Services Innovation
Moderator:
Michele Costello
Adjunct Professor, Bert Wasserman Department of Economics and Finance, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College
JUNE 26, 2018: CONVERSATION OVER DINNER
We invite you to attend our next "Conversation over dinner" event on June 26th. We will be joined by three exciting guest speakers from across the fields of impact investing, grant making and social entrepreneurship. Join our amazing guests, fellow WAMNY members and WAMNY Steering Committe to network and learn more about our guest speakers backgrounds, their work and what they are doing to advance women's leadership!
Guest Speakers:
Liz Fernandes, Impact Improvement Senior Associate, B Lab
Mugdha Gangopadhyay, Deputy Director of Development, American India Foundation
Reshma Patel, Executive Director, Impact Network
Event Format: Intimate conversation with guest panelist and other 3-4 inspiring women. Speakers will be seated one per table. Please select the speaker whose table you would like to join upon registering.
Date & Time: Tuesday, June 26 2018, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Private location - East 32 Street between Madison and Park Avenues.
Location details will be disclosed to dinner attendees upon registration.
Price: $35 per person*
Menu: Dinner will be catered buffet style by Dig Inn. Vegetarian/vegan options will be available. To get a peek at the type of food we will serve, you can view their menu here.
*Please be mindful that space is limited and WAMNY will not be able to provide refunds on tickets.
2017 EVENTS
HAPPY HOUR & GAME NIGHT
Start the new year off among friends: join the WAMNY community at our first happy hour of 2018 on January 17th! Come in out of the cold for games, inspirational conversations and a variety of international beers.
This month, we will be joined by WAMNY member Kerrlene Wills who will show us what it is like to be part of a savings group and trying to maintain a livelihood for your family on $2/day. Kerrlene developed Tawala - a simulation game to teach participants what it is like to be part of a rotating savings and credit association (ROSCA) - as part of her graduate program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Our happy hour location this month will also have some traditional board games and 27 beers on tap. We hope to see you and your friends there!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Holiday Networking Dinner - 12/6
WAMNY invites you to attend a Holiday Networking Dinner on Wednesday, December 6th! We will be joined by four exciting guest speakers from across the fields of financial inclusion, financial services, and fintech for a conversation over dinner. Join the WAMNY Steering Committee and fellow WAMNY members to network and learn more about the work our guest speakers are doing to advance financial inclusion and women's leadership!
Guest Speakers:
Kiana Daniel - Financial Literacy/Career Coach, CEO at InvestDiva
Corey Pargee - Chief Operating Officer at FirstAccess
Lara Storm - Director of Advisory Services, Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative at BRAC
Additional speaker to be confirmed
Event Format: Speakers will be seated one per table. Please select the speaker whose table you would like to join upon registering.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6th, 2017, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: Maria Pia, 319 West 51st Street, New York, NY 10019
Price: Prix Fix Menu (3 courses) - $45 per person (includes tax + tip)*;
*Drinks not included but available for purchase separately
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEFINING IMPACT:
A DIALOGUE ON MEASUREMENT IN MICROFINANCE AND IMPACT INVESTING
We invite you to attend a panel discussion and networking event on Tuesday, October 17th! This exciting event will focus on the topic of Defining Impact: A Dialogue on Measurement in Microfinance & Impact Investing, and will feature a diverse panel of leaders in the impact measurement space across financial inclusion and financial services.
Panelists:
Jennifer Wu, Director of Impact Investing, BlackRock
Polly Kelekis - Chief Operating Offer, The MicroDreams Foundation
Yrenilsa Lopez - Investment Officer, Women's World Banking Capital Partners
Leticia Emme - Director, Operations & Social Investor Working Group, Social Performance Task Force
Date/Time: Tuesday, October 17th, 6:15-8:30pm
Location: BlackRock - 55 East 52nd Street - Park Avenue Plaza - Room 7A
Read our post-event roundup here!
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March 2017
Fulbright Tour: Entrepreneurship in Washington Heights.
As part of a brand new program in partnership with Women Advancing Microfinance NY (WAM NY) and One to World we organized a visit to Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union to learn about their important work promoting financial inclusion in low-income areas. In addition, to hear firsthand from NTFCU staff about their accomplishments, challenges, and goals, six Fulbright scholars visited local businesses funded by the credit union, to meet with the owners and learn about why they went to NTFCU instead of a bank for a small business loan.
Concluding the visit with a discussion on the small business sector in NYC and the resources provided by NTFCU and the Columbia SBDC helped tie together all of the earlier visits and situate those experiences within the greater economic landscape. The grantees learned so much from this visit and some of their feedback demonstrates the impact of this visit:
“It was very interesting and well organized day! I learned new things about community empowerment. The highlight for me was meeting the Woke Food owners and learning how much empowering women can impact the community. I learned that if you are planning to own a business it's important to choose the right partners, and get a business mentor that would direct and help you to achieve your goals. It was great to meet a group of inspirational people who follow their dreams and help others to achieve theirs.” –Fulbright student at Fairleigh Dickinson University
2016 EVENTS
NOVEMBER 14 2016
FINANCIAL INCLUSION: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES IN THE U.S. CONTEXT
Women Advancing Microfinance – New York (WAMNY) brought together financial inclusion experts from New York City for a panel discussion and networking event. The goal of this event was to raise awareness about financial inclusion and promote an open discussion about key financial inclusion strategies and challenges faced when working with low and middle income communities in the United States. The topic of financial inclusion is often discussed in the global or emerging markets context, and WAMNY set out to shed light on the unique challenges faced by practitioners. This panel discussion addressed the following:
- Leveraging partnerships to advance financial inclusion in the United States
- Financial counseling and education initiatives in New York City
- Supporting and advocating for immigrants to address financial barriers
Panelists:
Adria Schmidt
Associate Director of Programs, Partnerships, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners
Alicia Portada
Co-chair of the Board, New Immigrant Community Empowerment
Tanya Ladha
Senior Manager, Center for Financial Services Innovation
Moderator:
Michele Costello
Adjunct Professor, Bert Wasserman Department of Economics and Finance, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College
SEPTEMBER 15 2016
CAREER GREASE: HOW TO GET UNSTUCK AND PIVOT YOUR CAREER
Are you dissatisfied with your career path? Have you been thinking about making a change? Do you wish you had greater clarity about what to do next with your career, along with a plan of action that would support you in moving your career to a better place? Come out to hear stories of how (and why) real people make career changes. Learn the common places where people get stuck in the career change process, and gain insight into exactly what you need to do to get momentum and make progress with your own career goals.
This workshop was based on career coach Alison Cardy's new book, Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career and was an opportunity for WAM NY members experiencing a career change to explore new approaches to tackle this professional challenge.
This workshop was based on career coach Alison Cardy's new book, Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career and was an opportunity for WAM NY members experiencing a career change to explore new approaches to tackle this professional challenge.
About our Guest
Alison Cardy, author of Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career, is a career coach who has guided hundreds of people to innovative and functional career solutions. She is a practical advocate for achieving your heart's desires, improving your workweek, and making a difference, all while keeping an eye on your financial success. Alison’s work has been featured on Monster, Forbes, LearnVest, the Huffington Post, and the Chicago Tribune. She is a certified coach and a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. Her career coaching website is www.cardycareercoaching.com.
Alison Cardy, author of Career Grease: How to Get Unstuck and Pivot Your Career, is a career coach who has guided hundreds of people to innovative and functional career solutions. She is a practical advocate for achieving your heart's desires, improving your workweek, and making a difference, all while keeping an eye on your financial success. Alison’s work has been featured on Monster, Forbes, LearnVest, the Huffington Post, and the Chicago Tribune. She is a certified coach and a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business. Her career coaching website is www.cardycareercoaching.com.
AUGUST 18 2016
DISCUSSION WITH FOUNDER OF "BeGirL", DIANA SIERRA
DISCUSSION WITH FOUNDER OF "BeGirL", DIANA SIERRA
Diana Sierra, co-founder and CEO of BeGirl, shared her experience of designing innovative products to solve social challenges and the issues that arise from forging a path as a social entrepreneur. As an example, she spoke to WAMNY about her line of period panties and sanitary pads that benefit women and girls in Eastern Africa. This was an informative and inspiring evening for all!
About BeGirl
Lack of access to proper menstrual management products is preventing millions of girls from completing their education. Be Girl pads are the outcome of a collaborative design process that result in a basic yet extremely resourceful solution that features a reusable, washable and fast-drying waterproof pad-holder/pouch that can be attached to underwear like a traditional sanitary pad, and can be filled with any available safe disposable or reusable absorbent material – e.g. toilet paper or re-purposed cloth. This unique design gives women and girls the option to adapt it according to their access to water and available resources in their own environment, and the independence that effective products provide.
About our Speaker
Ms. Diana Sierra is the co-founder and CEO at Be Girl, a social enterprise focused on empowering women by design, dedicated to creating extremely affordable, aspirational and high performance products that support women and girls’ autonomy and generate opportunities to radically improve their quality of life. For more information on Be Girl, click here. In developing countries, she has worked in East Africa and South America on better designs for cookstoves, agro-processing machines, soil testing devices and women empowerment programs through business and design.
Diana built her career in industrial design as a consultant, working for almost 10 years for different multinational companies and consultancy firms such as on Smart Design, Frog Design, Nike, Panasonic, Energizer, Tommy Hilfiger, Arnell Group, Curve ID, B.Robinson, and Playtex.
Diana holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Design from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
About BeGirl
Lack of access to proper menstrual management products is preventing millions of girls from completing their education. Be Girl pads are the outcome of a collaborative design process that result in a basic yet extremely resourceful solution that features a reusable, washable and fast-drying waterproof pad-holder/pouch that can be attached to underwear like a traditional sanitary pad, and can be filled with any available safe disposable or reusable absorbent material – e.g. toilet paper or re-purposed cloth. This unique design gives women and girls the option to adapt it according to their access to water and available resources in their own environment, and the independence that effective products provide.
About our Speaker
Ms. Diana Sierra is the co-founder and CEO at Be Girl, a social enterprise focused on empowering women by design, dedicated to creating extremely affordable, aspirational and high performance products that support women and girls’ autonomy and generate opportunities to radically improve their quality of life. For more information on Be Girl, click here. In developing countries, she has worked in East Africa and South America on better designs for cookstoves, agro-processing machines, soil testing devices and women empowerment programs through business and design.
Diana built her career in industrial design as a consultant, working for almost 10 years for different multinational companies and consultancy firms such as on Smart Design, Frog Design, Nike, Panasonic, Energizer, Tommy Hilfiger, Arnell Group, Curve ID, B.Robinson, and Playtex.
Diana holds a Master of Science degree in Sustainability Management from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Industrial Design from the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia.
July 25 2016
Annual membership meeting, Board selection, and a discussion on
microfinance with Barbara Magnoni
The Annual Meeting is the onetime a year that we gather the whole membership together to select new members to the Steering Committee and talk about what we are doing, achieving and aspire to as an organization. This year, we selected three individuals to be apart of WAMNY's governing board.
This year, we are pleased to announce that we will also hear from special guest Barbara Magnoni, President of EA Consultants and long-time WAMNY supporter. EA Consultants is an international development consulting firm dedicated to supporting initiatives that facilitate access to finance, markets, and social protection for low-income segments of the world’s population. Ms. Magnoni has worked in the microfinance industry for over 15 years, supporting MFIs in strategic planning, product development, risk management, and client outreach. Inspired by what she saw was a dwindling role for women in leadership roles in microfinance, she founded "Andares, Mujeres para las Microfinanzas" in 2014 and designed a study of women’s leadership in microfinance that was recently funded by the IDB-MIF and Calmeadow Foundation.
The study will be published in late July, but Barbara has offered to preview some of its key findings. The study includes an analysis of 136 microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Latin American and the Caribbean and offers both quantitative data on the status of women’s leadership in microfinance institutions as well as a qualitative analysis of interviews with 67 staff members and 21 CEOs on why women may not be taking on some of these roles. It offers concrete recommendations that institutions such as WAM can implement with women in the sector to promote women’s leadership, and links these efforts to positive financial and social outcomes for MFIs.
Barbara Magnoni began her career in microfinance in 1990, working with a small pilot program in Chile. She has worked with the industry since for over 15 years, supporting MFIs in strategic planning, product development, risk management, and client outreach. She is currently the President of EA Consultants an international development consulting firm dedicated to supporting initiatives that facilitate access to finance, markets, and social protection for low-income segments of the world’s population.
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July 13 2016
First Annual SUNY JFEW Program Book Talk
Mr. Krishen Mehta
Co-Editor of Global Tax Fairness Published by Oxford University Press
Co-Editor of Global Tax Fairness Published by Oxford University Press
Join us for SUNY JFEW's first annual book talk. Our event will include a discussion with author Krishen Mehta on his latest book Global Tax Fairness, which explores a number of reform proposals, which are urgently needed to correct loopholes in the international tax system as it exists today.
Mr. Krishen Mehta is a writer, teacher, and speaker on issues of global tax justice. Prior to making tax justice his main focus, he was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and served in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices. Mr. Mehta’s responsibilities included PwC’s US Tax practices in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Indonesia, encompassing over 140 American companies conducting business in Asia. Mr. Mehta is a Senior Advisor to Tax Justice Network. He serves on the Advisory Board of Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program, and is a member of the Asia Advisory Council of Human Rights Watch. Mr. Mehta is also a Trustee of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, and of the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington DC. From 2010-2012, Mr. Mehta was Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of Global Financial Integrity, a research and advocacy group based in Washington DC, and engaged on policies designed to stem illicit financial flows from developing countries.
Mr. Krishen Mehta is a writer, teacher, and speaker on issues of global tax justice. Prior to making tax justice his main focus, he was a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and served in their New York, London, and Tokyo offices. Mr. Mehta’s responsibilities included PwC’s US Tax practices in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Indonesia, encompassing over 140 American companies conducting business in Asia. Mr. Mehta is a Senior Advisor to Tax Justice Network. He serves on the Advisory Board of Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Program, and is a member of the Asia Advisory Council of Human Rights Watch. Mr. Mehta is also a Trustee of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, and of the Institute of Current World Affairs in Washington DC. From 2010-2012, Mr. Mehta was Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of Global Financial Integrity, a research and advocacy group based in Washington DC, and engaged on policies designed to stem illicit financial flows from developing countries.
MARCH 22 2016
AN EVENING OF Entrepreneurial INSPIRATION!
It takes a lot of courage to start a business, let alone to be successful and disrupt the status quo. On Tuesday March 22nd, WAM NY held a stellar panel, where we had a conversation with 3 New York based entrepreneurs on their Entrepreneurial Journey:
WAMNY learned how, Milena Berry Co-Founder and CEO of PowerToFly - a global platform matching women in tech with jobs at innovative companies- wants to change the nature of work for women. Milena's work has been recognized widely, most recently she was selected as one of Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business 2015. We heard from Melanie Moore, Founder & CEO of Elizabeth & Clarke -an online-only womenswear brand focused on ‘The Perfect White Shirt’- how she was able to raise over $250,000 through a crowd founding campaign to develop the dream come true of an Unsustainable white shirt. While raising funds to develop her product last year, Melanie won 'Shark Tank''s Your Life With Lori Greiner trophy. We were inspired by Elmira Bayrasli, co-founder of Foreign Policy Interrupted - an education and media startup dedicated to increasing female foreign policy voices in the written and electronic press. She wrote "From the other side of the the World: Extraordinary Entrepreneurs" (released September 2015) which looks at the growth of innovation beyond Silicon Valley, focusing on talented individuals around the world who have overcome insurmountable obstacles to lead high-growth businesses. She is visiting fellow at the New America Foundation. |
2015 events
Women Advancing Microfinance New York (WAM NY) warmly invites you to an evening of conversations and celebrations in support of women’s leadership and empowerment globally.
We will be joined by Lynne Patterson, Co-Founder and Director Emerita of Pro Mujer, and Kimm Alfonso, Director of Seller Development at Etsy. Both these extraordinary entrepreneurs will share some the defining moments of their careers, what it takes to build global networks and how you can be part of this movement of change-makers disrupting the status-quo.
Each year the Scholarship Fund supports organizations and women in the financial inclusion sector receive professional and personal development opportunities so that they can become leaders in the organizations and communities in which they work and live. 100% of the funds raised each year have supported organizations like the Women’s World Bank, Pro Mujer, the Sustainable Microfinance & Development Program and the Seep Network as well as women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds from Afghanistan, Egypt and Kazakhstan to Samoa, Nicaragua and Peru.
As the year draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being part of our community of change-makers supporting the leadership aspirations of women in the microfinance and financial inclusion space globally.
We look forward to hosting you at Reflections Center for Conscious Living & Yoga on November 5th!
We will be joined by Lynne Patterson, Co-Founder and Director Emerita of Pro Mujer, and Kimm Alfonso, Director of Seller Development at Etsy. Both these extraordinary entrepreneurs will share some the defining moments of their careers, what it takes to build global networks and how you can be part of this movement of change-makers disrupting the status-quo.
Each year the Scholarship Fund supports organizations and women in the financial inclusion sector receive professional and personal development opportunities so that they can become leaders in the organizations and communities in which they work and live. 100% of the funds raised each year have supported organizations like the Women’s World Bank, Pro Mujer, the Sustainable Microfinance & Development Program and the Seep Network as well as women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds from Afghanistan, Egypt and Kazakhstan to Samoa, Nicaragua and Peru.
As the year draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being part of our community of change-makers supporting the leadership aspirations of women in the microfinance and financial inclusion space globally.
We look forward to hosting you at Reflections Center for Conscious Living & Yoga on November 5th!
May 7, 2015
DISRUPTION Screening and Panel
WAM NY joined forces with Skylight Pictures to bring you a game changing documentary, networking and stimulating panel discussions. Disruption made headlines globally, as this thought-provoking documentary explores the work of Fundación Capital, (winners of the 2014 Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship) and how this group of Latin American activist-economists place women at the center of the drive for social change in Latin America. Bringing together governments, big banks, and women marginalized by poverty in Peru, Colombia, and Brazil, their innovative programs spread financial literacy horizontally using digital education tools that reach 3 million participants from across the region.
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Voices From the Field Series: Making Markets Work for Women
February 24, 2015
2014 Events
"Finding Your Right Fit" Workshop
November 11, 2014
WAM NY hosted a career development workshop called “Finding Your Right Fit”. The workshop helped attendees learn about critical steps needed to develop the right framework, and questions you should be asking yourself as you prepare to attain your right fit job. "Right fit" work is what you love to do, do really well, and want to continue doing in the long-run. This highly interactive workshop was facilitated by Julia Erickson (Principal at My Right Fit Job) and included an in-depth presentation on perfecting your intention statement, as well as on what it takes to position yourself to secure your dream job.
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Get Haute in Harlem
October 1, 2014
WAM NY hosted a very special evening at Harlem Haberdashery that celebrated women’s empowerment and leadership through a conversation with women leaders.
We had three dynamic, empowered females leading social change as speakers. After the panel, speakers were available for insightful one on one conversations with attendees. All proceeds for this event went to supporting our scholarship initiative. As a bonus, we even threw in a raffle with prizes ranging from gift certificates to local NYC restaurants, to a free Gold Body Tattoo.
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Champagne Series: Ladies and a Gentleman
August 18, 2014
Dinner and Conversations with Women Leaders
July 30, 2014
WAM NY hosted its "Dinner and Conversations with Women Leaders" in July this year. This signature event is especially designed to provide you with an intimate, up-close and personal opportunity to meet, learn and network with women leaders of extraordinary achievements and diverse backgrounds.
This event is also tailored to provide you with insight into career pathways, professional development, and leadership challenges - that will no doubt, add great value to your own professional growth and development. In addition to discussing emerging issues, challenges and innovations happening in the industry, speakers shared what their respective organization does and their key initiatives. We were privileged to have the following speakers this year:
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Change Makers Happy Hour
July 15, 2014
What a great time we had with Be Social Change! We came together to celebrate summer with a community of change-makers, creative minds and innovators.
Attendees were able meet and connect with new friends, entrepreneurs and social enterprises who shared their passion for ideas and making a change. They also enjoyed a perfect summer evening with drinks, surrounded by a creative and fun community! Be Social Change is a team of passionate community-builders. Their mission is to educate and connect the next generation of social entrepreneurs and change makers creating bold, innovative social impact. Please learn more about them HERE. |
Financial Design and Behavioral Economics
July 10, 2014
WAM NY assembled a powerful panel to bring members an exciting summer event on behavioral economics.
Behavioral economics is an emerging field that is informing the design of financial products. It is increasingly being used to study the effects of social, psychological, cognitive, and emotional factors on the economic decisions of individuals and institutions, as well as the consequences for market prices, returns, and resource allocation. Speakers answered questions such as: Can behavioral economics be used to help design better financial products in the marketplace for low-to-moderate-income individuals? Our speakers for the evening included: |
Financial Design and Behavioral Economics
May 15, 2014
co-hosted a talented speaker panel on developing a social economy. This event brought together entrepreneurs, impact investors, social innovators, creatives, and thought-leaders within the New York Social Good space to share their unique perspectives, best practices, and lessons learned in creating sustainable impact. At this event we were keen for speakers to address the question of: How can we mobilize more people on the job to make an impact, and drive social and environmental change?
WAM NY and Net Impact
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Volunteering Abroad
April 24, 2014
This event was perfect for people who want to travel abroad and use their skills for a good cause. Speakers discussed projects implemented to help struggling entrepreneurs in the developing world .
We had some truly inspiring leaders on our guest panel. They had the inside scoop on volunteer opportunities and were eager to answer questions on their own volunteer experiences.
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Film Screening with the Kashf Foundation (Pakistan)
April 2, 2014
International Women's Day with WAM NY
March 4, 2014
International Women's Day celebrates women's political, economic and social achievements around the world. It also celebrates of love, appreciation and respect towards women. During this event we had two wonderful speakers give key updates on women's economic empowerment. Guest speakers included:
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Play Bar Happy Hour
February 19, 2014
WAM NY is always looking to expand its community and membership in order to empower more women. From time to time, WAM NY hosts Happy Hours to get to know you one on one and learn about how your goals align with ours.
If you want to be part of a community of women making a difference in the world, make sure to join us for happy hours like the one we had at the Play Bar in February! We had an amazing time, as attendees got to mingle with WAM NY members to learn more about what drives our organization and cause. It's always riveting to exchange success stories and meet such driven individuals. WAM NY is at the forefront of expanding leadership and personal & professional development opportunities for women in the financial inclusion, microfinance and social entrepreneurship space. Our our organization is open to both men and women. |
Bonsai People: Celebrating the Work of Muhammad Yunus
January 29, 2014
2013 Events
Going Beyond Business: Opportunities in Microfinance February 2013 - A cocktail reception organized by The Microinsurance Network and Women's World Banking to discuss microfinance opportunities. Documentary Screening of "To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America" film screening February 2013 - This film follows the journey of two borrowers and their Grameen group manager, and the enormous life changes they each undergo. Conversations with Thought Leaders: Paul Quintero, CEO ACCION USA April 2013 - Paul Quintero spoke about how microfinance is helping businesses in the after-math of Sandy. Dinner & Conversations with Industry Leaders May 2013 - This event was an opportunity to network and interact with industry leaders and WAM NY on a variety of microfinance happenings. Play to Win: Negotiation Strategies for Women Workshop June 2013 - Guest speaker,Connie Thanasoulis-Cerrachio delivered her popular Play to Win-Win: Negotiation Strategies for Women workshop. How I Started A Social Enterprise October 2013 - This was an exciting discussion panel with amazing women entrepreneurs who started their own social enterprise. US Financial Diaries November 2013 - Nancy Castillo discussed true tales from groundbreaking research on the financial lives of low-income Americans. |