De Haagse Hogeschool, the Netherlands

Conceptual Expert

Organizational Description:

The Hague University of Applied Sciences (THUAS) aims to empower its 26.000 students from nearly 150 different countries. Our global, innovative attitude is reflected throughout our curricula and in our four central research themes: The Next Economy, Quality of Life: People and Technology, Good Governance for a Safe World and Connected Learning.

Key person:

Julie M. Lehmann is one engaged scholar at the Research Group Financial Inclusion & New Entrepreneurship (THUAS). She is finalizing her PhD on savings groups (NL). She studied in Germany, France and The Netherlands and participated in projects in Cameroun, Malawi, Senegal, and Tanzania.

ICN Business School, France

French-speaking Africa Coordinator, Expat-based Researcher

Organizational Description:

Created in 1905 by the University of Nancy and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Meurthe-et-Moselle, the ‘Institut Commercial de Nancy’ becomes ICN Business School in 2003, a private higher education institution recognized by the State, Associated with the University of Lorraine.

In 1999, ICN Business School founded the Alliance Artem with the École Nationale supérieure d’art et de design de Nancy and Mines Nancy. It is a partnership which promotes, in its educational programs, interdisciplinarity, alternative learning methods, creativity and innovation, all with a view to training a new generation of creators and decision-makers. Accredited EQUIS and AMBA, ICN offers one of the best Masters in Management in the world according to the Financial Times.

Key person:

Mahamadou Biga is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Chair in Early Growth Acceleration & Family Business Labs at ICN Business School, and Co-Leader of ICN-CRECIS Early Growth Acceleration Initiative

Andrea R. Mantsios, PhD

Conceptual Expert

Andrea R. Mantsios, PhD is a social and behavioral scientist in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health where her research focuses on the role of community savings groups in addressing HIV among female sex workers in Tanzania.

Elke Jahns-Harms

Conceptual Expert

Elke Jahns-Harms is a Lecturer in Human Security at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, a Senior Fellow on Fletcher’s Council of Emerging Market Enterprises, and the Fletcher Faculty Director of the online courses Certificate in Digital Money and Leading Digital Markets (offered in partnership with the Digital Frontiers Institute). Elke’s recent research examines the role of savings groups in helping poor rural households cope with shocks. She has worked in Central and South America, East Africa, and Antarctica, on projects related to financial inclusion, sustainable agriculture, climate change, HIV/AIDS, women’s rights, and environmental education, in conjunction with Catholic Relief Services, the Peace Corps, and WorldTeach, among other organizations. She holds a PhD from Fletcher, a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University, a Master of Music from Appalachian State University, and a BA in Geology and Environmental Science from Rice University. Elke teaches Development Aid in Policy in Practice at Fletcher and Music and Social Change at the New England Conservatory.