Providing governance and supervisory support to the Management Boards at FINCA Azerbaijan and FINCA Tajikistan.

Management consulting for microfinance banks to redirect strategic vision and achieve core objectives related to operational and financial performance, as well as restructuring of institutional capacity.

Senior Risk and Strategy Advisor for Cairo Amman Bank - Palestinian Territories (West Bank).

Provided Interim CEO oversight during volatile, post-crisis times and successfully managed a turnaround that brought FINCA Tajikistan to monthly and YTD 2018 profitability.► Reduced FX risk exposure – significant improvements to portfolio quality as USD loan exposure was brought to a minimum.► Strengthened collections and recovery – ensured timely and effective delinquency management, and increased recovery of written-off loans.► Increased product competitiveness –… Show more Provided Interim CEO oversight during volatile, post-crisis times and successfully managed a turnaround that brought FINCA Tajikistan to monthly and YTD 2018 profitability.► Reduced FX risk exposure – significant improvements to portfolio quality as USD loan exposure was brought to a minimum.► Strengthened collections and recovery – ensured timely and effective delinquency management, and increased recovery of written-off loans.► Increased product competitiveness – turned around continuous GLP decline and witnessed growth not seen in previous 3 years.► Regained trust of core staff and increased overall staff morale through visibility on company's achievements, progress and strategy via regular management & all staff meetings.► Recovery from crisis allowed FINCA Tajikistan to re-open discussions with International Lender community. Show less

Lead contact for a comprehensive re-engineer of the business model for select FINCA Eurasia countries.

Joined FINCA Azerbaijan during a financial crisis that required rapid restructure of the institution. Directed a comprehensive re-engineer of the lending business model.► Centralization of loan processing for approval of loans ≤ $4k USD.► Credit underwriting and recapitalization through a call center.► Establishment of a credit scoring system for automated credit decisions via call center.► Loan disbursements through stored value cards.► Redesign of… Show more Joined FINCA Azerbaijan during a financial crisis that required rapid restructure of the institution. Directed a comprehensive re-engineer of the lending business model.► Centralization of loan processing for approval of loans ≤ $4k USD.► Credit underwriting and recapitalization through a call center.► Establishment of a credit scoring system for automated credit decisions via call center.► Loan disbursements through stored value cards.► Redesign of process flow and staff optimization at branch level; amongst other change management activities. Show less

Provided on-site risk management consultancy to BODs, CEOs, Risk Managers and other Department Head staff for DAI Europe’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Program, funded by World Bank to support 12 microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Development Bank of Ethiopia with technical assistance and $45.9 million in lending capital.► Analyzed 7 MFIs with a consolidated portfolio of over US$400M in total assets, US$300M in loan portfolio outstanding, US$200M in savings portfolio… Show more Provided on-site risk management consultancy to BODs, CEOs, Risk Managers and other Department Head staff for DAI Europe’s Women Entrepreneurship Development Program, funded by World Bank to support 12 microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Development Bank of Ethiopia with technical assistance and $45.9 million in lending capital.► Analyzed 7 MFIs with a consolidated portfolio of over US$400M in total assets, US$300M in loan portfolio outstanding, US$200M in savings portfolio outstanding, and 790000 in active clients.► Institutionalized new org charts and Board of Director Sub-committees to mitigate strategic/governance risk and enhance Board oversight and intervention – Audit Committee, Risk Management Committee, and ALCO Committee. Introduced charters, reports infrastructure, liquidity management tools, and committee frameworks.► Established Risk Management Departments and risk policies for credit, liquidity, interest rate, compliance and operational risks – in alignment with the National Bank of Ethiopia guidelines for MFIs – by introducing structure, risk categories, prudential limits, reports on risk indicators and response/action plans for when threshold limits are exceeded. Show less

Directed country operations in Tajikistan and led the process of a P/L turnaround by attacking issues related to competitiveness, capacity, efficiency, image, branch outreach, and other aspects through multi-faceted re-tooling of the institution. This included redirecting strategic vision for economic and human resources of the subsidiary, its operational and financial performance, as well as the restructuring of its institutional capacity.► Led turnaround to profitability through cost… Show more Directed country operations in Tajikistan and led the process of a P/L turnaround by attacking issues related to competitiveness, capacity, efficiency, image, branch outreach, and other aspects through multi-faceted re-tooling of the institution. This included redirecting strategic vision for economic and human resources of the subsidiary, its operational and financial performance, as well as the restructuring of its institutional capacity.► Led turnaround to profitability through cost restructure, policy / organizational change and expansion of services including implementation of money transfer services, multi-currency operations, currency exchange, savings, deposits, amongst others, resulting in strong profitability for country operations in 2014 for the first time since 2008, and only the second time in the eleven year history of FINCA in Tajikistan. ► Completely rebuilt the FINCA Tajikistan management team, including the Management Board and heads of 9 functional units – HR, IT, Internal Audit, Internal Control, Finance, Credit, Marketing, Legal, and Administration.► Institutionalized two additional function units – Banking Services Department and Savings Department – in alignment with corporate strategy to diversify product offerings and mitigate regulatory environment risk. ► Increased the number of active clients from 17000 to over 34000, and from a loan portfolio outstanding in the amount of US$7m to US$37m, while maintaining PAR>30 below 0.5%.► Grew the business from US$8m in total assets to US$39m.Achievements:✔ Received 2013 Brand of the Year Award from the Tajikistan Ministry of Trade and Commerce, in the micro-finance sector category. ✔ Outperformed projected figures on all key metrics for financial and outreach performance in 2012 & 2014. Show less

Project to test and implement a core retail banking system – FINCA International’s single largest investment to date. Worked with Oracle for several months in India, and then implemented the system at FINCA Azerbaijan.► Managed 11 direct reports and led the select team of subject matter experts to execute 4 phases of functionality testing for MIS sign-off with Oracle vendor.► Created multiple strategic plans and managed the user acceptance testing process including business script… Show more Project to test and implement a core retail banking system – FINCA International’s single largest investment to date. Worked with Oracle for several months in India, and then implemented the system at FINCA Azerbaijan.► Managed 11 direct reports and led the select team of subject matter experts to execute 4 phases of functionality testing for MIS sign-off with Oracle vendor.► Created multiple strategic plans and managed the user acceptance testing process including business script scenario writing, data migration testing, report infrastructure analysis, test process tracking and documentation, and system roll-out for Azerbaijan HQ and 24 Branch offices.► Designed multi-language MIS user manuals, and led the training process for more than 300 personnel.► Aligned corporate Finance Manual & Operations Manual policy and procedures to integrate the multitude of MIS process changes. Show less

Provided a comprehensive review of operational efficiency and cost drivers that dictated future planning of organizational systems, policies, procedures, and structure.► Analysis covered 650 employees, US$61m portfolio outstanding, 82000 active clients, 6 loan products, 24 branch and 29 sub-branch offices located throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan.► Delivered key recommendations for the loan application, client approval, and loan monitoring process, which increased efficiencies… Show more Provided a comprehensive review of operational efficiency and cost drivers that dictated future planning of organizational systems, policies, procedures, and structure.► Analysis covered 650 employees, US$61m portfolio outstanding, 82000 active clients, 6 loan products, 24 branch and 29 sub-branch offices located throughout the Republic of Azerbaijan.► Delivered key recommendations for the loan application, client approval, and loan monitoring process, which increased efficiencies and reduced operating costs; as well as critical insight on break-even points per product line and a pricing strategy to fuel revenue earnings.► Restructured product processing cycle to shift focus away from high price, which improved overall contribution by 10% or approximately US$600k per annum. Show less

Consulted for USAID’s SME Support through Financial Sector Development Project; provided strategic services to Executive Directors of Azerbaijan Credit Union Association (AKIA – comprised of 54 Credit Unions) and Azerbaijan Microfinance Association (AMFA – 15 microfinance institutes and 7 banks). Developed strategic business models that enabled the Associations to become sustainable after donor funds expire and which created added value to the Association members.► Designed &implemented… Show more Consulted for USAID’s SME Support through Financial Sector Development Project; provided strategic services to Executive Directors of Azerbaijan Credit Union Association (AKIA – comprised of 54 Credit Unions) and Azerbaijan Microfinance Association (AMFA – 15 microfinance institutes and 7 banks). Developed strategic business models that enabled the Associations to become sustainable after donor funds expire and which created added value to the Association members.► Designed &implemented the first internship program launched in the micro-finance sector of Azerbaijan.► Assessed Board & Member needs to create a 2008-10 Strategic Plan for implementation in FY 2008. ► Managed a 9 month project to support 6 Credit Unions (4 in rural regions) on various financial topics, Mix Market registration & needs assessment/rating by India based M-CRIL international rating agency.Achievements:✔ Internship program was declared by AMFA to be the Most Innovative Program of the Year.✔ Designed, wrote, and developed the first AMFA Annual Report for 2007 and the first “History of AMFA” Report covering the years 2001-2007. Show less

Managed a newly created product division, and led the process of identification, development and establishment of new joint ventures to create a global agro commodity trading network.► Lead role in the development of a global supply chain that brought grain commodities (corn, wheat, barley) to the Eastern European and Middle East markets.► Led regional and global sourcing strategies, setting the direction of all channel members.► Facilitated letters of credit, escrow… Show more Managed a newly created product division, and led the process of identification, development and establishment of new joint ventures to create a global agro commodity trading network.► Lead role in the development of a global supply chain that brought grain commodities (corn, wheat, barley) to the Eastern European and Middle East markets.► Led regional and global sourcing strategies, setting the direction of all channel members.► Facilitated letters of credit, escrow, bid bond, performance bond, and CAD instruments in European banks.► Managed a virtual team of six sourcing professionals based in Europe, Russia, South America & USA; negotiated high value sales/purchase agreements and promoted global sourcing events & strategy alignment.► Established a supplier network based in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and West Europe. Show less