Boston Women in Finance is delighted to host an evening presentation with keynote speaker Deborah Drake, Vice President, Investment Policy and Analysis at ACCION International, as part of our Distinguished Speaker Series. Ms. Drake will be speaking on 'Helping Millions Help Themselves: How Microfinance Connects Finance and Banking to Alleviate Poverty.'

About Deborah Drake: Deborah Drake is Vice President of Investment Policy and Analysis at ACCION International. She currently manages the Council of Microfinance Equity Funds (CMEF), a membership organization of private entities that make equity investments in microfinance institutions (MFIs) of the developing world and for which ACCION International serves as Council Coordinator.   Ms. Drake leads ACCION's efforts in investment policy including the development and provision of investment readiness training and strategy to MFIs.   She has worked with ACCION International since 1990 and is the co-editor of The Commercialization of Microfinance: Balancing Business and Development and the co-author of Alchemists for the Poor: NGOs as Financial Institutions.

About the Boston Women In Finance: Boston Women in Finance (formerly Financial Women's Association of Boston) is a leading executive organization committed to shaping leaders in business and finance with a special emphasis on the role and development of women.