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Lending Promise Names Board of Directors
Lending Promise Names Board of Directors
Published 08-08-06
Submitted by Lending Promise
San Jose, Calif. - Lending Promise Inc., a new nonprofit organization that offers microcredit - small loans of $50 or less - to the world's poorest mothers, has named its board of directors. Through its loans, the organization enables mothers to start businesses so they can improve the futures of their children and ultimately, their communities.
Meg North Taylor, founder and president
Meg Taylor of San Jose, Calif., has been a public relations professional and community volunteer for 15 years. She formed Lending Promise in 2006 to give loans to poor mothers so they can earn income to ensure better futures for their children. In addition to her work at Lending Promise, Taylor works in analyst relations for a global high tech company. Using her PR expertise, she aims to increase awareness of the benefits of microcredit (http://www.lendingpromise.org/index.php?page=About_Microcredit).
Lydia Ayazika Bakaki
Lydia Bakaki, a native of Kampala, Uganda, is a women's property rights activist who aims to help women own half of the world's land compared to the current one percent that they now own. As an advisory team member of the Asante and Zawadi International Property Project, Bakaki identifies candidates for property purchases and assists families in joint property planning. An attorney, she also lobbies parliament members to make policy to foster equitable land ownership.
Madhumita Bishnu
Madhumita Bishnu, of Calcutta, India, is a long-time literacy volunteer. A computer programmer for 13 years at Tega Industries, Bishnu has been a member of the New Ballygunge Rotary Club in Calcutta for seven years and its affiliate, Rotaract, for eight years. She has taught English as a volunteer in Chiitagong, Bangladesh; in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Kisumu, Kenya; and Calcutta, India.
Carlos Buhler
Carlos Buhler, of Bozeman, Montana in the United States, is one of the most accomplished mountain climbers in the world. His climbing career spans 30 years of experience gained on 34 expeditions to Alaska, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Uganda, Kenya, Pakistan, Nepal, China, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Tibet. Buhler, who is a motivational trainer and inspirational speaker, leads events that bring employees to mountains, allowing them to challenge themselves in natural settings.
Excelle Liu
A native of China now living in Silicon Valley, Excelle Liu is an international business executive who empowers startup and large companies to achieve their full potential. Currently, she is a principal consultant for Paradigms Consulting Group, a management consultancy for technology companies. Liu has also been a founder of GlobalSight, a company that specializes in web site globalization; and a regional marketing manager for Scott Paper Asia Pacific.
Ishrat Shamim
Ishrat Shamim, of Dhaka, Bangladesh, has been an educator, author and researcher focusing on women's inequality for three decades. A professor and former chairperson of the Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Shamim is the founder and president of the Centre for Women and Children Studies. Her interest is in violence against women including domestic violence, trafficking in women and children, and prostitution.
Sadhana Shrestha
Sadhana Shrestha is fervent about making a difference in people's lives by encouraging them to help themselves and in turn, to serve others. Since 2001, she has been the Nepal representative for Ashoka, a United States based nonprofit organization that works in 60 countries to inspire social entrepreneurs - called Ashoka Fellows - to make sweeping societal change. Shrestha identifies Nepalese leaders in causes on behalf of widows, prisoners, children, the environment and more.
Lending Promise will give its first loans this fall to Nepali women. The world's fifth poorest nation, Nepal is ravaged by a Maoist conflict that has caused an estimated 12,000 deaths and a decline in tourism - a major revenue source.
About Lending Promise
Lending Promise Inc. is a non-profit microcredit organization that helps the world's poorest mothers increase their income to improve their children's futures. Those personal changes impact broader communities, resulting in higher literacy rates, improved nutrition and sanitation, lower mortality rates and stronger economies. By offering loans instead of handouts, Lending Promise empowers women to be financially independent. For information, visit www.lendingpromise.org.
