Jennifer Isern

Dr. Jennifer Isern, CFA, brings 30+ years of experience in development in more than 70 countries. She launched Catalyze Global Impact LLC to promote investing and technical assistance to leverage financial and private sector solutions that improve quality of life for people globally. On the board of CIDR Pamiga since 2007, she is currently the board's vice chair with special focus on strategy, the HR committee, and support to CIDR Pamiga's digital platform for agricultural value chains.

Previously, Dr. Isern served 23 years in multiple roles in the the World Bank Group, including seven years as senior manager in South Asia based in Delhi and three years as senior manager in East Asia and the Pacific based in Hanoi for the financial sector and private sector departments of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. In addition, she served 13 years with CGAP, a global partnership on financial inclusion housed within the World Bank Group, as lead microfinance specialist managing operations across Africa and China and leading several global initiatives including fintech and payments, anti-money laundering, and funding and capacity building for financial institutions. Prior to joining CGAP, she served as the regional technical adviser for economic development in West and Central Africa with CARE International, where she founded and managed several financial service providers while living in Niger (1990-91), and Togo (1992-1996). From 1988-1992, Dr. Isern consulted with public and private sector clients including USAID in Costa Rica and Senegal, UNDP in New York, and AT&T’s international division.

A CFA charterholder, Dr. Isern has authored more than 50 publications on financial sector development and broader development issues. In addition to her work through Catalyze Global Impact LLC, she serves as board member and advisor to foundations, investment funds, and associations in Europe and the USA.

By Jennifer Isern

Blog

Agritech Can Empower Women to Build Stronger, Inclusive Value Chains

The new Wi-Agri platform in Côte d’Ivoire is showing how agritech can help rural women to improve their livelihoods and build stronger, more inclusive agricultural value chains.
Research

AML/CFT: Strengthening Financial Inclusion and Integrity

Over the past 30 years, access to formal financial services for low-income people has increased dramatically. However, misguided efforts to reduce criminal behavior threaten to slow the pace of that progress.
Research

Access to Finance in Nigeria: Microfinance

Given significant financial sector reforms and private sector innovations, there are encouraging signs that access to finance is poised for growth in Nigeria.
Research

Appraisal Guide for Microfinance Institutions

This publication includes a technical guide with essentials for an appraisal; a resource manual; and a spreadsheet to generate summary tables.
Research

Making Money Transfers Work for Microfinance Institutions

This Technical Guide helps financial service providers determine whether they should offer money transfer services.