WWB LEADersLead, Enrich, Advise, Do

Women’s World Banking8 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018Phone: (212) 768-8513

Fax: (212) 768-8519Visit http://www.womensworldbanking.orgto learn how to join the WWB LEADers

or e-mail communications@swwb.org.

Women’s World Banking Network Mission

To expand the economic assets, participation, and power of poor women as entrepreneurs and economic agents by opening their access to finance, knowledge and markets.

Women’s World Banking Vision

Our vision is to improve the economic status of poor families in developing countries by unleashing the power inherent in women. We believe that when a woman is given the tools to develop a small business, build assets, and protect against catastrophic loss, she is empowered to change her life and that of her family. Drawing on our global diversity, resources and experience, WWB helps to strengthen our network of microfinance organizations and banks, all of whom share our commitment to helping poor women access financial services and information.

Women’s World Banking was established in 1979 to be a voice and change agent for poor women entrepreneurs. Our goal is to continue to build a network of strong financial institutions around the world and ensure that the rapidly changing field of microfinance focuses on women as clients, innovators and leaders.

Our TripsEach year the LEADers visit WWB network members abroad to gain first-hand knowledge of microfinance, meet clients and learn about challenges and opportunities facing the microfinance industry.

In April 2008, the first year of the group’s inception, the LEADers traveled to the Dominican Republic to visit Banco ADOPEM, the largest microfinance institution in the Dominican Republic. The trip included extensive time spent with the Founder and CEO of Banco ADOPEM and meetings with senior staff to learn about the institution’s operations and about the state of the microfinance sector in the Dominican Republic. The group also visited rural branches and was able to meet several clients to hear how microfinance has impacted their lives. The LEADers who participated in this trip believe that it enhanced their commitment to serve as WWB ambassadors by giving them a better understanding of WWB’s work.

In May 2009, the LEADers will visit WWB Colombia, one of the most efficient and well-run microfinance institutions in the world.

Lead, Enrich, Advise, DoGet InvolvedThe WWB LEADers seek new members who are committed to the following:

Engage in learning about WWB •and microfinance;

Attend events, lectures and •conferences with leaders in the industry;

Visit WWB members abroad •and meet with program staff;

Fundraise and introduce WWB to individuals, foundations and corporations that •might be interested in a funding partnership (annual fundraising target per LEADer of $5,000);

Plan and organize WWB’s Annual Benefit Dinner; and•

Be an ambassador for WWB.•

To learn how to join the WWB LEADers, please e-mail communications@swwb.org.

WWB LEADersThe WWB LEADers are a group of individuals who believe in WWB’s vision and mission and seek to support the organization as both advocates and ambassadors. The LEADers support WWB by fundraising and introducing WWB to individuals, foundations and corporations that are interested in a funding partnership.

The LEADers also work together to plan and organize WWB’s Annual Benefit Dinner. In return for their support, WWB provides the LEADers with opportunities to learn more about microfinance through a variety of events and lectures with leaders in the industry and by engaging the LEADers in the microfinance community.

In addition, the LEADers visit WWB network members abroad to witness firsthand how microfinance has empowered poor women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and, in turn, lift their families and communities out of poverty.

WWB and MicrofinanceWWB is one of the largest global networks of microfinance institutions, currently serving more than 21 million poor entrepreneurs. We work hand-in-hand with network members to provide a range of ongoing, carefully designed technical and advisory services and to promote the global exchange of best practices in microfinance.

Microfinance is the provision of basic financial services to the poor and is one of the most effective tools in combating poverty. By providing loans, savings and insurance, microfinance institutions help poor entrepreneurs create, grow and protect small businesses that sustain families and communities.

Why focus on women? In many parts of the world, being poor in synonymous with being female. Women are denied access to economic assets, power and participation in much greater numbers than men, and are less likely to earn a regular paycheck. Yet evidence shows that when women earn, they invest more of their profits than men in improving the lives of their children, families and communities.