The Microfinance Alliance aspires to raise awareness of the importance of microfinance as a tool for poverty alleviation and community development both locally and internationally. By engaging the public and university community, we hope to create a forum for dialogue, opportunities for action, and foster support for microfinance.
To educate, inspire, and activate a passion for bettering the plight of the world's poor by:
Promoting microfinance as a tool for alleviating poverty both locally and globally.
Creating and providing opportunities for ambitious individuals in the field.
Establishing a platform to foster awareness about the positive social impact of the microfinance sector.
| November 2006 | Mary Jo Kochendorfer and Ben Balto-Bongard attend the 2006 Global Microcredit Summit in Halifax. After the conference, they begin to gather students interested in microfinance. |
| January 2007 | The Microfinance Alliance becomes a University of Minnesota student group and additional members are recruited. |
| February 2007 | A screening of the documentary film Awakening draws attendees and supporters from the community for our inaugural event. MA supporters and authers of the book Miracles of Barefoot Capitalism, Susan Cornell Wilkes and Jim Klobuchar moderate the discussion that follows. |
| Spring 2007 - Spring 2008 | The Microfinance Allance held several events including speakers covering topics like Microfinance in the US and Student Experience in Microfinance , as well as a presentation from the Grameen Foundation. The board grows to 10 members, spanning several programs at the University and including community members. |
| March 2008 | The Microfinance Alliance takes a busload of students and community members to meet Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. This was the first sponsored event, and MA is forever grateful to Best Buy Corporation and the University of Minnesota Center for Integrative Leadership for their support. |
For a full list of events and more details, clickon past on our events page.
President: Dan Kaskubar
Dan is in his second year of the full-time MBA program at the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Dan's background includes experience at several non-profits, along with some international experienes in social entrepreneurship. During his first year at Carlson, he participated in a trip to Costa Rica to learn more about sustainable business. Full-time MBA candidates work at internships between their first and second year, and Dan chose to create an internship with an school network in Uganda called Maranatha Schools, funded through the University's Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship and KidsUganda.
Peter Rich
As the product of a financial advisor and an artist, Peter has always enjoyed asking questions, probing the intersection of possibility and practicality. Peter is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management with Bachelor of Science degrees in Entrepreneurial Management and Marketing. He has studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, and Costa Rica.
Peter has worked as a research associate with the Center for Integrative Leadership and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. During his free time he enjoys playing and writing music, learning, and international travel.
Vineet Shukla
Vineet Shukla recently received his MBA from the Carlson School of Management, where he focused in Strategic Management and Marketing. Vineet was awarded a Carlson School Scholarship and was involved in Net Impact (a national corporate social responsibility MBA club). After a summer sabbatical working at a microfinance institution in Delhi, India, Vineet will start a new position at Medtronic.
Before attending the Carlson School of Management, Vineet worked for 10 years as an engineer in the computer hardware industry. He has been involved in the community through volunteering efforts at the Science Museum and the Minnesota Literacy Council.
Previous President: Paul Welvang
Currently: volunteering for a number of organizations related to microfinance in the Twin Cities area
Paul finished his MPP degree at the Humphrey Institute for Public Policy at the University of Minnesota in December 2008. Paul previous background includes small business experience as well as corporate experience at Fingerhut. Paul recently traveled to Peru, where he visited a microfinance institution.
Previous President: Adrienne Peirce
Currently: India
Adrienne Peirce recently received her MBA from the Carlson School of Management, where she focused on Finance and Entrepreneurship. She is currently moving to India for 6 months to volunteer and learn.
While attending Carlson School, Adrienne was awarded a Carlson School Scholarship and was also named one of two Forte Scholars from the Class of 2008 (the Forte Foundation is a national organization for the advancement of women in business). She was involved in Net Impact (a national corporate social responsibility MBA club) and the National Association for Women MBAs (NAWMBA). Before coming to Carlson, Adrienne worked for six years as an engineer in medical device product development for Boston Scientific, Velocimed (a small startup), and St. Jude Medical.
Outside of work and school, Adrienne is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the local branch of the global non-profit Youth Venture, which is a project of Ashoka. Previously, she was Director of Community Development for the Boston Junior Chamber of Congress. She has also spent time through the Society of Women Engineers and other organizations encouraging young women to pursue careers in math and science.
Previous President: Mary Jo Kochendorfer
Currently: working for the Grameen Foundation
Mary Jo Kochendorfer is the original inspiration for the Microfinance Alliance and the first president. After leaving her corporate career to found the group, Mary Jo dedicated her time to developing the Alliance. Later, she traveled to Columbia and other parts of Latin America to learn more about microfinance firsthand. She currently works at the Grameen Foundation and travels extensively in her role there.