Andrée Simon talks to Forbes about fintech and financial inclusion

Andrée Simon

President and CEO

Andrée Simon is the President and CEO of FINCA International and its global network of community-based microfinance banks and institutions known as FINCA Impact Finance (FIF). FIF offers responsible and affordable loans, savings accounts, and other financial products to more than two million people across the world, empowering low-income women and men to take control of their financial future. Beyond microfinance, Andrée oversees FINCA’s efforts to support social enterprises that expand access to essential products in energy, water and sanitation, education, health, agriculture and fintech for the world’s poor.

Andrée first joined FINCA in 2001 as Deputy to the President and CEO. Over the next eight years, she played a pivotal role in redesigning FINCA’s microfinance business, transitioning it into a sustainable operating structure with a double bottom line of financial and social performance. Andrée left FINCA in 2009 to serve as President and COO of Women for Women International and returned to FINCA in 2013 to help launch FINCA Microfinance Holding Company, the parent company of FINCA Impact Finance.

Andrée has significant experience in corporate strategy and has held business and advisory roles in many organizations, including the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She wasnamed one of the Top 100 Fintech for SDG Influencers by LATTICE80 and has written extensively on responsible financial services in numerous publications including International Banker, Euromoney and The Financial Times.

Andrée is fluent in French and Spanish. She earned an undergraduate degree in international relations from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.