Please join us for the Change Seminar this week on Tuesday 4/17/2018 in EEB 037.
Who: Steve Hollingworth, CEO of the Grameen Foundation
What: Using Digital and Data to Transform Smallholder Farmers
When: Tuesday, April 17th, 12-1pm
Where: EEB 037
Abstract: Grameen Foundation is a global nonprofit whose mission is to enable the poor, especially women, to end poverty and hunger. It uses digital technology, data-derived insights and local partner networks to create breakthrough solutions that span financial, agricultural and health services. Grameen Foundation was founded in 1997, inspired by the work of Nobel Laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank and a global leader in the fight against poverty. Grameen Foundation’s work is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.
Grameen Foundation has evolved from an organization focused originally on extending microfinance to the world's poor, to one that uses the tools of digital technology, data-derived insights and field agents to deliver an range of financial, agricultural and health resources to people in poor communities. Their work in agricultural development is taking on new directions as we apply the power of data to transforming smallholder farmers and supply chains, including in coconut and cacao.
Bio: Steve Hollingworth joined Grameen Foundation as President and CEO in January 2016. Before joining Grameen, Steve was President of Freedom from Hunger. Beginning in 2011, he focused that organization on the intersection of financial services and ending hunger through the empowerment of rural women. Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer for CARE, where he was instrumental in developing and implementing the organization-wide strategy and was responsible for direct-line management of global operations and programs, with a budget of $650 million. He has held senior field positions in Asia (India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), Africa (Lesotho) and Latin America (Bolivia), building collaboration between practitioners, technical assistance providers, donors and government agencies. Steve has an M.S. in Economics, Development Studies, from Victoria University of Manchester, in Manchester, England. He enrolled there as a Rotarian Fellow, and his thesis analyzed the field of microcredit and the role of Grameen Bank.