Sectors of professional activity: Gender, Micro-finance, Poverty Reduction, Youth, Migration, Banking, Agriculture; Spoken languages: English, French; Citizenships: Rwanda. The expert has a robust professional history across various roles and organizations. Most notably, from 2016 to 2020, the expert served as the Country Lead and Microfinance Advisor for ICCO Cooperation, leading the STARS program in Rwanda. During this period, the expert advised Microfinance institutions on developing suitable products for smallholders and played a significant role in building the capacity of these financial entities. Furthermore, the expert supported the implementation of A-CAT with RUFI Microfinance in Rwanda and Uganda. Prior to this, between 2012 and 2015, the expert held the position of Microfinance Advisor at Terrafina Microfinance, working between Rwanda and Burundi. Here, the expert was instrumental in providing technical assistance and product development support for microfinance institutions, including the design of various products like Group lending and value chain finance. One of the key contributions also involved linking microfinance institutions with potential investors. In 2011, the expert worked as a Freelance Consultant, performing a variety of consulting tasks in the microfinance sector, which included strengthening the capacity of microfinance institutions in social performance management and assisting in business plan reviews. Furthermore, the expert facilitated training programs targeting MFI managers in financial analysis and credit governance, under the initiation of the Development Bank of Rwanda. From 2002 to 2010, the expert was the Operations Director for Vision Finance/Vision Fund, a subsidiary of World Vision. The role involved managing operations, developing financial products, and establishing microfinance institutions in challenging environments such as Burundi and Malawi. The expert's ability to set up process maps and support the implementation of new loan tracking systems was crucial in these assignments. The expert began their career with World Vision from 1994 to 2002, working in Rwanda as a social worker and area coordinator in livelihood programs focusing on youth and women in the Northern Province. Throughout their career, the expert has demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing access to finance through innovative practices and linking informal savings groups such as VSLAs to formal financial institutions. Their work has had measurable impacts across the regions served, reflecting a combination of technical acumen, leadership, and a collaborative approach with international funding organizations.